Hello,
I am currently looking for a job in accounting in Chicago. I worked for the same employer for 6 years, then the next for 3, but since then (2009), I have worked in a couple temp positions, one position for 9 months, and my current position for just over a year. We relocated a few months ago which is why I need a new job, as the hours my current employer gives me remotely are slowly dwindling, since I live 2000 miles away. I am licensed in my field and have an advanced degree, but am still having trouble getting call-backs, I think due to my "unstable employment". Basically my question is, a lot of my gaps and shorter term jobs are due to having a family (I have 3 kids), and not wanting a regular full-time job, but still picking up employment here and there to help pay the bills. I know this hasn't been smart career-wise, but it has worked well for our family. So how do I explain this all in my cover letter? Or do I? Do I mention leaving a job because I was pregnant, and not getting a new job until the baby was older? Please help!

Oh....one more question, last year before getting my current job, I took out all the months in my resume to not make it look so bad with all the gaps. Should I add them back in? I am not trying to be deceitful, I just don't want my resume to get tossed because of gaps!

Hi jenntf,

I don't recommend explaining all of your employment gaps and short-term jobs. It's pretty typical to see short-term positions and employment gaps in recent years, so these scenarios don't raise "red flags" like they did in the past. I definitely would not mention your pregnancy as a reason for leaving a previous employer. If you want to provide a blanket statement, you can say that you have changed jobs more frequently than you would have liked in recent years, but are currently looking to find a long-term position. I would focus on the credentials that you do bring to the table, your advanced degree, license, track record of accomplishments, skills, etc.

It's okay to use months only in your resume, so you don't have to make that change. You might be able to combine a couple of the temp jobs under one heading to minimize the appearance of job-hopping - here's an article that explains how to do this:
Resume Tips for Temps