Temporarily took care of a parent. How to put that on resume?

[paulb]

This is my first post and I hope someone can give me some advice. I was laid off in February 2013 and am presently 56 years old. After looking for 5 months with no success, I stopped my job search to take care of a parent for 6 months. I started up again with the job search in late January of this year.

How would I go about writing or wording this on a resume? Should I bother to even put it on? I am concerned that my resume stops in 2013. Would putting it on a resume be off putting to potential employers? I have had a couple of interviews this year and explained what happened but I couldn't tell if it was a concern or not.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[robnplunder]

Employers (I am a hiring manager, myself) do not like a gap in resume. I suggest you mention your reason for the gap in your resume. During interview, do your best to explain that the gap isn't an issue (that your skills, experience are up to date).

 

[wmc1000]

personally, i would show the entire gap as time taken to care for elderly parent. In an interview you can always clarify the timing of parent needing care just after layoff.

 

[Brat]

I agree with the wmc1000 and robinplunder. (FWIW I am a retired HR Specialist)

 

[Rothman]

+1 wmc1000 show it, clarify in interview

 

[Debinnov a]

I'm a headhunter and I agree as well. Employers will bypass a resume for an unexplained gap, which doesn't give you the time to explain. Put it on the resume WITHOUT a lot of detail. Just the dates and "caring for elderly family member or aging parent". Then explain if you need to in the interview.

 

[38Chevy454]

I concur that you should list it and not leave the gap in time. That gap looks bad. You might even be able to provide some keywords in a short description besides the job title "Caring for an Elderly Parent". Some skills that an employer may find useful such as scheduling, financial planning, estate preparation, medical consulting, or similar. Don't call it babysitting, it is patient care for example.

I would also cover the orig 5 month gap as the whole 11 months as parent care. It may not have been full time, but I am sure you were doing some of these during that time while you were actively looking for work.