Welcome back Linda Pearl ! Things may have changed, but with some help from the community I'm sure you'll be back on track in no time. Here are some things you can do to minimize the gaps in your resume from when you were a stay-at-home mom. Hope this helps!

Use dates When listing dates on your resume you don't need to list the month/year if you were in a position for over a year or if your position spans multiple years. For example, you could say 2014 - 2016 (rather than May, 2014 - February, 2016) which would give you some room to cover the gaps:

• Customer service rep, DFH Company 2014 – 2016

• Sales Associate, ABC Store 2012 – 2014

Notice that the resume doesn't specifically say when the candidate started and ended employment, which can cover an employment gap.

Remove what doesn’t matter Omit any jobs that aren’t relevant to your job search and the companies you are applying to. There is no rule saying you have to include all the jobs you ever had on your resume. You decide what goes in there!

Include Other Experience Gained During the Gap What did you do while you weren't employed? Did you freelance or consult at all? How about volunteering? All those experiences count as work and can be included on your resume. List them as you would list your other jobs - with job title, company name, job description, and dates of employment.

Tell the Truth It goes without saying, but make sure, to be honest! Employers verify work history and if you put incorrect information on your resume and they happen to verify it, that will be the end of that potential job.

Wow them with your cover letter Write a great cover letter that will stand out to outweigh your resume. The cover letter must indicate your knowledge of the company you are applying for as well as how you are going to add value to your prospective new company. Tailor it to the job you want and avoid using a generic template. Show them you are invested in the company and that you want the position! Check out some tips on how to do so [here] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/c4ba7a86-a1d9-5484-ae09-b9e408617965)

Have you tried using the job search tool here on Jobcase? It’s simple and you can search anytime for jobs located right near your home. Just follow these steps:

1. Click on Jobs & Companies at the top of the page, or head over [here] (http://www.jobcase.com/jobs/search)

2. Enter a job into the search field where it says Job Title, Keywords, or Company.

3. Add in your location by filling in your City and State OR zip code. Then click the magnifying glass to search.

4. Once the list is up, click on “View Job" of any you are interested in and then apply to any you feel are a great fit.

Wishing you the best of luck with your job search!