gap in resume

[Anonymous]

I recently took time off from a job I have held for over 15 years decided that I didn't want to return and have been spending the time helping my family deal with the death of my mom. I'm getting ready to start looking for a new job and was wondering how I should address the gap in work (6 months). Am I honest about it (took time off to deal with the death of my mom?), do I leave it vague (personal time). I left my job on good terms but knew that while they had discussed me returning if there were was availability that I really don't want to go back. I am looking for new challenges and opportunities, hence my interest in a new job, versus return to old job. My concern with being open and honest about my time off and reason for leaving the last job is I don't want a new job to think I quit when my personally life gets out of whack. It was more than just personal issues, there were also issues at the old job with a backstabbers and strange behavior from other's in my department. Those are things I don't want to bring up in an interview. Thoughts from others? What is the best approach here?

[Anonymous]

15 years with the same employer is a good indicator of stability. Everyone will understand the death of a parent. Just tell the truth.

[Anonymous]

HR Bitch here: Don't address it on your resume. Address it in the interview and do not talk smack in any way about the old job. It's perfectly fine to say that after 15 years you'd plateau'd and so after taking time off to help your mother through her last stage of life, you're now ready for another long-term position.

[Anonymous]

HR Bitch -- is your answer the same if the gap is due to having a baby? Someone on another thread had suggested explaining the gap in a cover letter, which is what I have been doing but am wondering if I should just leave it off altogether and deal with it in the interview (should I ever get one). Similar to OP, I was in my last position for 13 years.

OP - Sorry to hijack your thread and sorry for your loss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:15 years with the same employer is a good indicator of stability. Everyone will understand the death of a parent. Just tell the truth.

+1