I took months off from work due to loss of a parent, how do I explain this?

Back in 2021, a parent of mines died suddenly and instead of the typical 2 weeks of bereavement, I had to take almost a year off due to how the situation affected my siblings, extended family, and a host of other things. I pretty much took off the job market in that time.


How do I explain this? Is it unusual to have bereavement last that long?

🙏 Mental Wellness
18
medhardwaredr
Opinionated
23
Director of Sales NA
Dude, don’t sweat things like that. Just tell them a parent died. Any company that doesn’t acknowledge that and holds it against you is not worth a damn.
jefe
Arsonist
7
🍁
Exactly this.

Sorry for your loss. Fuck anyone who doesn't respect that.
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
2
AE
I greatly appreciate this!
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
1
AE
Thank you man!
medhardwaredr
Opinionated
1
Director of Sales NA
Sorry for your loss
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
12
Sales Rep
99% will understand, the other 1% you don’t want to work for
HVACexpert
Politicker
4
sales engineer
Exactly
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
1
AE
Well said and well put
Abika
Executive
1
Business Development Manager
True dat
bonez
Politicker
9
Account Executive
You just explained it perfectly here my dude. You can list it as a personal time off for bereavement. I've worked with so many people that have had to do this and it really didn't affect their careers. Most orgs understand you sometimes have to take the time off to handle your personal life. I wouldn't stress about this and would just be prepared to talk about it during an interview.
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
1
AE
Thank you good sir.
7
Retired Sales Professional
If they can't understand the effects of losing a parent, your talking about the person that's the reason for your existence then the heck with that organization.
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
1
AE
Well said.
oldcloser
Arsonist
7
💀
Just like you just done did. If that ain’t good enough, you gotta find a human to work for.
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
1
AE
Humans are not a given these days in the work force
oldcloser
Arsonist
0
💀
☝️ fact
NoToBANT
Catalyst
5
Senior Account Executive
Firstly, I’m sorry for your loss

Secondly, as mentioned by others, if a company holds this against you - fuck them! Seriously, fuck them!
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
0
AE
Thank you.
pirate
Big Shot
5
🦜☠️ Account Executive
I am sorry for your loss. If someone has something against that, I would not work there
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
0
AE
I appreciate this.
Diablo
Politicker
4
Sr. AE
Sorry to hear that. There is nothing more to add, that’s all you can say and I’m sure people understand
4
Founding BDR
Explain it to them like you did to us, and if they have any sort of issue with that, you wouldn’t want to work for that org anyways
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
1
AE
I appreciate this
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
So sorry for your loss. I’ll add my vote to the others - you took time off to take care of family matters. It’s completely reasonable and understandable.
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
1
AE
Thank You.
Justatitle
Big Shot
2
Account Executive
Exactly as you have laid it out here. There is nothing wrong with this being said if they ask.
BitcoinAddict
Opinionated
1
AE
Thank you.
Fenderbaum
Politicker
1
Retired Choirboy🪕
Everybody handles grief in different ways. In your situation, with siblings affected, extended family, etc., issues needed to be handled, and whatever those issues are/were, they are certainly far more important to you than the job market. Most people can't comprehend the impact of a parent's passing until they actually go through the experience.
You made a huge sacrifice by putting others ahead of yourself. That is commendable, and speaks volumes about your character.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
🦊
I'm so sorry for your loss ❤
ForecastReady
0
President & Founder
Firstly, sorry for your loss. Second, I’d suggest just state that there was a death in your immediate family circle, or say directly it was on of your parents, and you were needed to support the balance of your family. Any company worth their salt will understand.
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