Susan, sooooo many people - particuarly new parents/moms - have gaps like you do in their resumes. It is not even a little bit unusual. In fact, I think it makes you look like a Find.

Really? So you think my current cover letter line where I say that I left Former Job in 2004 after the birth of my daughter, have been freelancing, and now am seeking a return to full-time work, might not be the Kiss of Death I've been fearing?

Susan, if companies didn't hire people with kids, there would be very few companies.

(And now I'm envisioning Eunuchs, Virgins, and Chaste, Inc.)

Worked for the Catholic Church for millennia....

Seriously, it's not so much having a kid, as being a woman with a kid who took a year off instead of a decent workaholic's 1-4 months. And I'm probably overthinking, since my primary target employer is U-fricking-Dub. Universities aren't exactly notorious for being family unfriendly, after all.

DH is trying to drag me out of the house to experience something called "sunshine and fresh air." Back later.

So you think my current cover letter line where I say that I left Former Job in 2004 after the birth of my daughter, have been freelancing, and now am seeking a return to full-time work, might not be the Kiss of Death I've been fearing?

Far from it. Honestly, that's a very very common scenario for a woman with a young child.

If all of our kvetches have to be sound, Hec, that's going to damage my posting volume as much as if you broke my fingers...IJS. (Ooh, disturbing Goodfellas image)

Susan, in the Business Section of the newspaper a week or so ago there was an article about how people handle gaps in their employment due to downsizing, etc.

Most people found any kind of job to make money, so they ended up with work experience that had nothing to do with their career.

A lot of these people were omitting these jobs from their resume, even though the experts said that it wasn't a big deal. And that they should include all their work experience.

You have skills you had before, the skills you've gained through free lancing, writing, dealing with a kid, all make you a valuable employee.

The article stressed that confidence is extermely important, that if you go in and treat all your jobs and experiences as important and do it confidentally potential employers will react positively to that.

Well, I've got to get the interview first, before I can go in and be confident. But I'm probably way overanalyzing lack of response when it hasn't yet been a full week since I sent my first cover letter.

Also at times I think "What would (insert person or character you want to emulate) Do/act?" And then I do that.

Being Cordy has helped me get through a few things -- Cordy from Angel, pre ascension.

But I'm probably way overanalyzing lack of response when it hasn't yet been a full week since I sent my first cover letter.

I'd say that's a good possibilty.

Susan, I quit a job without having another one lined up. The place was soul-sucking and I couldn't take it anymore. I spent 4 months just hanging around the house cooking. Christopher gained 20 lbs. After the four months was up, I decided I'd better start looking in earnest. It only took a couple of weeks to find the next job--which I liked and kept until Owen came along. I didn't have any issues with employers by simply saying that I needed a change and had to reassess my career goals.

Not a single employer looked at me twice when I told them that. Neither did the employment agencies I worked with. I had lots of interviews and even a few job offers.

Also at times I think "What would (insert person or character you want to emulate) Do/act?" And then I do that.

"What would Sahjhaan do? Well, he'd travel through time and—fuck, I need a new role model."

fuck, I need a new role model."

Or a time machine.