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Returning to work after parental leave: CV and cover letter examples

2 fully written cover letters, a ready CV with a placeholder portrait and practical tips – open the example and replace the details with yours.

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Cover letter examples

Each example is written for a different starting point. Borrow the structure, not the sentences – your own examples and numbers are what make a letter work.

1Purchasing specialist after three years at homeExperienced

Claire Lomax
44 Garstang Road
Preston PR1 1NA
089 99998 598 · claire.lomax@example.com

Lakeside Plastics Ltd
Moore
Unit 7, Lakeside Industrial Estate
Preston PR2 5BD

DD Month YYYY

Application for the position of Purchasing administrator (part time, 25 hours)

Dear Ms Moore,

three years at home with two small children are coming to an end, as both start nursery in August. I would like to return to purchasing on 25 hours a week, mornings only.

Before my break I spent six years as a buyer for a furniture supplier: selecting suppliers, negotiating prices and chasing delivery dates. This spring I finished an online course on sustainable sourcing, which has become a much bigger topic while I was away.

Childcare is arranged, including a plan for sick days.

Yours sincerely,

Claire Lomax

Enclosures
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2Father returning after a year at homeExperienced

Tom Kemp
40 Watling Street Road
Preston PR2 8BP
040 66969 401 · tom.kemp@example.com

Newman Architects
Newman
15 Fishergate
Preston PR1 3LJ

DD Month YYYY

Application for the position of Architectural technician (full time, flexible hours)

Dear Mr Newman,

while my wife finished her specialist medical training, I spent a year at home with our daughter. She has now started nursery, and I am ready to return.

I have ten years’ experience producing construction and detail drawings for residential and commercial buildings. During my leave I learned the latest version of our design software, which your advert says you are moving to.

Full time works for me if I can leave at three twice a week and make up the hours on other days.

Yours sincerely,

Tom Kemp

Enclosures
CV
References

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All people, companies and contact details in the examples are fictional.

CV example

A complete CV for the role – with an illustrated placeholder instead of a photo.

Preview of the CV of Claire Lomax in the Classic design
Read the CV as text

Claire Lomax

Buyer

44 Garstang Road, Preston PR1 1NA · 089 99998 598 · claire.lomax@example.com

Placeholder portrait: replace it with your photo in the editor, or remove it.

Work experience

  • 09/2023 – 07/2026
    Career break (parental leave)
    • Online course in sustainable sourcing (2026)
  • 03/2017 – 08/2023
    Buyer
    Northwest Furniture Components, Blackburn
    • Supplier selection and review
    • Price negotiation, framework agreements

Education

  • 2011 – 2014
    BA Business Studies
    University of Central Lancashire, Preston

Skills

Supplier management, Negotiation, ERP systems, Spreadsheets

Languages

English (Native), German (A2 – elementary)

Interests

Walking, nursery parents’ committee

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Good to know

Your application in three steps

  1. Add your own photo – or none

    The example uses an illustrated placeholder. Replace it under “Choose photo” in the editor, or remove it: in the UK, US and many other countries a CV photo is not expected.

  2. Replace the details

    Name, contact, jobs, skills: everything is filled in and can be overwritten field by field.

  3. Save as PDF

    The PDF is created in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, no account needed.

What employers look for

After parental leave or a longer career break, many people worry about the gap on their CV. Be open and brief: list the break as its own entry, say what hours you want and show you are up to date. You do not need to apologise.

  • Experience from before the break

  • Clear working-hours request

  • Up-to-date knowledge (courses, reading, volunteering)

  • Childcare arranged

  • Confidence about the gap

Tips for your application

Do

  • List the break as its own CV entry.
  • State the hours you want.
  • Show how you kept up to date.

Don’t

  • Apologise for the break.
  • Go into detail about childcare.
  • Leave part-time hours until the interview.
Typical interview questions

Prepare a short, honest example from your own work for each one.

  1. How have you kept up to date?
  2. What hours are you looking for?
  3. What has changed in your field?
  4. How flexible are you with short-notice meetings?

Salary expectations

If the advert asks for your salary expectations, give an annual gross figure or a range you have researched – through pay scales, salary surveys from public sources or people who do the job. If it does not ask, leave pay out of the letter; it will come up in the interview.

Frequently asked questions
How do I show a career break on my CV?

As its own entry with dates, for example “Career break – parental leave”. Add any courses or volunteering underneath.

Should I put a photo on my CV?

It depends on the country. In the UK, Ireland and the US a photo is usually left out to avoid bias, and many employers prefer CVs without one. In Germany and some other countries it is common but optional. If you use one: recent, friendly, plain background, dressed as you would be on a good day at work.

Can I copy the example letters?

Yes, they are free to use. But recruiters read a lot of letters – one with your own examples, numbers and a real reason for choosing this employer will always do better. Use the examples as scaffolding and write the sentences yourself.

Is my data stored anywhere?

No. The CV and the letter are created in your browser. Nothing is stored unless you switch on “Save the draft” in the editor – and then only on your device.

Related jobs

Finish your application

Cover letter and CV as PDF, certificates added, all in one file – small enough for any job portal.