How to Write an Rn Cover Letter After a Long Absence

Returning to the workforce after an absence might seem like a challenge, especially if the absence was long, but you can explain both unemployment gaps and qualifications in the same cover letter. The key to writing a successful cover letter when returning to the workforce is to focus on evidence of your skills, add a brief explanation for periods of unemployment, followed by reinforcement of why you are right for the job. In this article, we explain how to account for gaps in employment in your cover letter and provide guidance for writing your own.

What is a cover letter for returning to the workforce?

A cover letter for returning to the workforce is a document that typically accompanies a resume and goes into detail about experience or qualifications. The cover letter is where you'll briefly address gaps in employment reflected on your resume or application while emphasizing the skills and abilities you bring to the job.

Gaps in employment come in different varieties and lengths, and not all are worth mentioning. If your gap in employment spans a short time period of less than one or two months, consider leaving out explanations. If the gap lasted longer than two months, or if there is more than one, explain the gaps but leave out irrelevant details.

Related: 8 Steps for Reentering the Workforce After a Long Absence (With Tips)

What does it mean to return to the workforce?

People leave the workforce for a number of reasons and often return weeks, months or even years later. Returning to the workforce is not an uncommon occurrence and people experience gaps in employment for various reasons, whether personal or professional. Some people enter an entirely new career while others might relocate to a different region or state. These instances create gaps in employment that you should address with honesty, without apology, and in a succinct manner. The gap is less likely to concern employers so much as whether or not you're ready to return to work. Use your cover letter to focus on why you're ready to go back to work and what you bring to the job.

Gaps in unemployment may take place because of:

Vacation
Sabbatical
Layoff
Discharge
Stay-at-home parent
Medical leave
Caregiver
Career change
Relocation

Related: How To Translate Caregiver Skills To Your Resume When Returning To Workforce

How to write a cover letter for returning to the workforce

Writing an effective cover letter for returning to the workforce begins with understanding the job you're applying for and what makes you right for the position. Keep mentions of gaps in employment brief, and explain the absence in a few short sentences.

Here is a list of seven steps to writing a cover letter when returning to the workforce:

1. Identify who you are

List your full name, address, phone number, email address and any other contact information you deem appropriate. Remember you're tailoring the cover letter to the job you're applying for, so if the employer is very active on social media, or a social media presence is to your benefit, consider adding your corresponding information.

2. Address a specific person

Do your best to find out the name of the hiring manager or whoever will read your cover letter. If you can't find the person's name, address your letter to a title, rather than using a generic greeting.

3. Introduce yourself

In approximately four sentences or less, tell the employer who you are and how or when you found the position. If someone referred you to the job, feel free to mention it. Briefly outline why you're pursuing the position. If the company's values or mission inspired you, explain how or why.

4. Highlight why and how you qualify

Next, highlight your relevant skills. Listing qualifications before explaining absences reinforces the idea that putting your skills back to work is your priority. Include hard and soft skills since soft skills are typically transferable from one job to another. Focus on what you accomplished, rather than job duties, and add relevant experience regardless of when you acquired it. Include quantifiable results if you can, so you can provide hard evidence of your achievements.

5. Explain the gap in unemployment

Briefly explain the gap in unemployment. Try to keep it to one or two sentences and leave out details that won't make a difference. If, however, you spent part of the gap in relevant training or education, feel free to add it to this section. Avoid mentioning the length of a gap since employers have that information from your application or resume.

6. Reinforce your credentials

Next, provide information on education, training or on-the-job experience during the gap in unemployment. Keep this section to a sentence or two and remember to highlight that which is relevant to the job you're applying for.

Highlight accomplishments from:

Volunteering
Events or seminars you attended.
Classes or workshops you attended.
Books you read.
Courses you took.

If you've already covered your qualifications, use this section to talk about the company's vision or mission and explain how you can help provide solutions or strategies that will fulfill it.

7. Add a closing statement

Close your cover letter with a simple thank you and closing salutation. Consider adding a subtle call to action such as, "I look forward to meeting with you."

Read more: Cover Letter Do's and Dont's

Template for return to workforce cover letter

Below is a template you can follow when writing your cover letter for returning to the workforce.

[ Full name ]

[ Address ]

[ Email address ]

[ Social media contact if relevant ]

Opening salutation

[ Addressed to name or title ]

First paragraph

[ Introduce yourself in three to four sentences. ]

Second paragraph

[ Highlight why and how you qualify in one or two paragraphs. ]

Third paragraph

[ Explain the gap in unemployment in two sentences or less. ]

Fourth paragraph

[ Reinforce your credentials, or your interest in the company, in two to three sentences. ]

Closing

[ Thanks, call-to-action and salutation ]

Related: Free Cover Letter Templates

Cover letter sample

Below is a sample of a cover letter for returning to the workforce to help provide clarification and direction when it's time to write your own.

Cover letter for returning to the workforce sample

Angela Cartwright

123 44th St. Langford, New Jersey

(555) 347-4492

acartwright@emailaddress.com

Twitter: @angelacartwright44

Dear Sandra Thompson,

I am applying for the position of e-commerce marketing assistant with Global Brand Foods, an exciting opportunity to be part of the team that leads the company into online expansion of its services and products. I have included my resume, which outlines my experience in marketing and what qualifies me for this position.

My qualifications include assisting marketing directors and managers through the implementation of social media and email marketing campaigns. My time-management and attention to detail skills helped my team add 10,000 new subscribers to our company newsletter, which resulted in a 10% uptick in sales. In addition, I presented ideas to attract new customers, such as featuring a specific seasonal food and providing in-store cooking demonstrations that we also streamed online. Our foot traffic increased by 15% and our YouTube channel gained another 5,000 subscribers.

Early last year, I took some time off to care for an ill family member. During that time, I stayed current on marketing trends and discussed developments with former colleagues. I recently attended webinars presented by ecommerce and marketing professionals in order to fully understand industry changes.

In addition, I volunteered at my relative's rehabilitation facility and helped them develop and abide by a schedule for posting to social media. I'm very excited to hear that my preferred store is branching farther into the online world and I'm eager to apply my skills to help realize this vision.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to meeting with you.

Sincerely,