Return to Work Cover Letter Template
An Australian cover letter template for returning to work after a career break.
See the cover letter →Return to Work Resume Template (Career Break)
For parents, carers and anyone returning to work after a career break who wants to explain the gap confidently.
Preview
Priya Sharma
04xx xxx xxx | priya.sharma@example.com | Box Hill, VIC
Professional Summary
Organised administration professional returning to work after a five-year career break raising my children. Brings six years of office and customer service experience, strong organisational skills and recently updated digital skills. Looking for a part-time administration or reception role.
Key Skills
- Office administration and reception
- Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
- Managing calendars and bookings
- Customer service by phone, email and in person
- Data entry and record keeping
- Organising events and volunteers
- Problem solving and multitasking
- Clear, friendly communication
Work Experience
Career break (full-time parent)2021 – 2026
- Volunteer treasurer for the local playgroup, managing the budget and records
- Organised school fundraising events with a team of volunteers
- Completed an online course in Microsoft 365 to update my skills
Office Administrator2017 – 2021
XXXX Accounting, Box Hill, VIC
- Managed reception, phones and appointment bookings for a team of eight
- Kept client records up to date and prepared correspondence
- Coordinated office supplies and supported end-of-month processes
Customer Service Officer2015 – 2017
XXXX Bank, Melbourne, VIC
- Helped customers with accounts and enquiries in branch and by phone
Education
Microsoft 365 Essentials (online short course)2025
Online training provider example
Certificate IV in Business Administration2016
TAFE example, Melbourne, VIC
Licences & Certifications
- Driver's licence
Referees
Referees available on request.
Next steps
Once your resume is ready
Pair it with a cover letter, then apply and follow up with confidence.
Short Job Application Message Generator
A brief, confident message to apply for a job or send with your CV.
Open the tool →Job Application Follow-Up Generator
Create a polite follow-up message after applying for a role.
Open the tool →How to Explain a Gap in Your Resume
What to write for parenting, caring, study, health or job loss, and what to say in an interview.
Read the guide →Resume Checklist
Run through this before you send your resume — the basics, tailoring, Australian conventions and a final check.
Open the checklist →Frequently asked questions
How do I explain a career break on my resume?
Add it as an entry with the dates and a short description, such as "Career break (full-time parent)". Add one to three bullets on anything relevant you did, like volunteering or study. Then move on to your skills and experience.
Should I hide a gap in my resume?
No. An honest, brief explanation is better than leaving employers to guess. Gaps for parenting, caring, study or health are common and most employers understand them.
What if my skills are out of date?
Do a short course or refresher in the skills the jobs ask for (such as Microsoft 365) and list it in Education. Mention it in your summary to show you are ready to go.
This template is a free, general formatting guide for Australian job seekers. JobCall provides communication templates only and is not career counselling, recruitment or legal advice. Please adapt the wording and details to your own circumstances.