Looking to get back out there.

Anonymous

September 24,2021 at 12:53AM UTC

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Looking to get back out there.

I was laid off in July of 2019 as a Buyer for a large retail company. I was promoted several times, working my way up in the nearly 8 years I was there, always with great annual reviews. Out of nowhere, I was let go with the reasoning of “position eliminated“. Since I was blindsided and had the financial ability, I decided to take some time off.

During that time, I have been busy caretaking for my mother, doing gig work, working a seasonal position and ran my own online retail store. My store never got much footing, but it did help pay some expenses. Last month, I decided against renewing the domain, knowing I would be looking to get back to a more steady, full time role.

How can I word all of this in a resumé, cover letter or interview? I know “gaps” in employment are frowned upon, but I actually loved the flexibility I had for over two years…making nearly the same as my previous income. I’m fearful and frustrated as I know this will be a big hurdle to overcome, even though it was the best thing for me to be doing for my life at the time.

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Erin RobersonSeptember 24,2021 at 1:44AM UTC
You weren’t unemployed, you were self employed. That’s something to be proud of and you surely learned some lessons about yourself and business as an entrepreneur.
AnonymousSeptember 24,2021 at 2:14AM UTC
You put down that you were self-employed/freelancing. And when asked why you can say that after you were laid off you needed more flexibility to care for a sick family member. That’s not a gap in employment, in my opinion.
Alicia DaraSeptember 28,2021 at 3:32PM UTC
Hi, I agree with the commenters below, and I'll add that your interim self-employment proves you're a self-starter with determination and grit. I often advise my clients to craft a Personal Power Pitch that they can use during job interviews to clearly articulate their skills, knowledge, wisdom and value during interviews. Here's a link to more info, best of luck with your search! https://fairygodboss.com/articles/im-a-career-coach--this-is-the-no-1-piece-of-advice-i-give-my-clients-on-beating-ageism
Adrienne Taylor-Parham, SHRM-SCPSeptember 29,2021 at 7:23PM UTC
Congratulations! You figured it out and got things done.
You are an entrepreneur with a successful seasonal online retail sales business that needed the flexibility to care for a sick parent. Circumstances have changed, and you are now ready to reenter the job market in a traditional role.
You are a creative self-starter with resilience and grit who can quickly solve problems when challenges arise.
Keep doing you and be fabulous! Much success in all your future endeavors!
Jessica Virtuoso, MBA, SHRM-CPSeptember 30,2021 at 8:17PM UTC
I had a similar situation and as I pivoted to consulting, I put for quite some time that I was self-employed. When people asked why, for me it was because I was obtaining my MBA and chose to give myself that grace of freelancing in my final year due to the flexibility. I never addressed it in a cover letter, always in the interview conversation. Though, to be fair, now it doesn't matter because I actually do have my own business coaching & consulting at this stage.
You technically didn't have a gap - you had a business and you realize you want to join a team full time again.