<strong>Dear Joan:<br />
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I had worked as a customer service representative for a company for five years and had excellent performance reviews. Our department closed and I was laid off for several months and I was allowed to go to school, cost free. <br />
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I then was hired by a high profile company with an excellent standing in the business world. I had been told that there had been approximately 1,000 applicants for this position, which was for a customer service call center. <br />
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Well, about a week before I began my new job, my father passed away. I flew down to Arizona and sat with him for two days and was at his bedside when he died. I then helped to plan the funeral and participated in the services as a reader. Two days after I flew back home I began an intensive, fast paced training program with my new job. We were expected to be ready to take calls in a fast- paced environment, and within 30 days, do complex billing transactions.<br />
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I had never lost a parent before, and didn't realize how deeply I would be affected by the grieving process. I was not able to absorb the training for the first two weeks. I was given a little time to catch up but fell behind the other trainees. As a result, I felt that I had little choice but to resign as it was not the right time for me to do this job.<br />
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Now, I have received grief counseling and more time has passed. I am ready to start looking for work. I have no unemployment and my savings are dwindling so I will need to find something very soon. I would be able to do a less stressful job than the one I had at the company; they did tell me that I could reapply for other positions there. But I am wondering if I should put this past company on my resume and I am wondering what I should tell the interviewer. <br />
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I would appreciate any insight that you could give me. <br />
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Answer:<br />
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Why not give your former employer a call? If they offered to rehire you for a different job why look a gift horse in the mouth? If they selected you out of 1,000 applicants, they obviously think highly of you. <br />
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The circumstances surrounding your resignation are understandable and now that time has passed you are in a better mental state. In fact, why not reconsider a position at the call center, if one is available? <br />
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But if you would rather apply elsewhere, there should be no problem including this employer on your application. If you omitted it, you would have a large gap of time on your resume that would be unaccounted for. <br />
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When you speak with potential employers simply tell them the truth. There is nothing to hide; your reasons for resigning are understandable and shouldn't be a big barrier. <br />
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Here are some words that might work for you: "The emotional toll of my father's illness and death caused me to resign from my employment at X. It was a hard decision, since I had been selected out of a thousand applicants and I was excited about the opportunity I had been given. But at the time, the stress and grief affected me more than I thought it would. I am now ready to move on and I'm eager to apply my skills and challenge myself. <br />
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I think it's important to include the part about the thousand applicants because it's a testimonial to how good you are. Any employer hearing that will be interested in you. <br />
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If you don't know where to start, consider contacting several staffing companies to discuss their openings. Many employers "try before they buy and will bring a temporary worker onboard and then pay an extra fee to hire them permanently. <br />
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Good luck to youI'm sure you'll make your father proud.<br />
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<strong>Joan Lloyd</strong> is an executive coach, management consultant, facilitator and professional trainer/speaker. Email your question to Joan at <a href="mailto:info@joanlloyd.com">info@joanlloyd.com</a>. Joan Lloyd & Associates, (800) 348-1944, Visit <a href="http://www.joanlloyd.com/">www.JoanLloyd.com</a> Joan Lloyd & Associates, Inc.<br />
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