Are you a mom or dad who spent the last years at home? Do you want to return to work but you are afraid that no one will consider your resume? How do you present your experience so that recruiters would want to meet you? These might be just some of the questions running through your head when you think about returning to work.
Even though you might feel you might not have developed corporate-related skills that will be relevant while being a stay-at-home parent, you should know that it doesn’t work like this. Being a caregiver helps you nurture many of your skills, such as time management, communication, and emotion management. So, experts from a professional resume service have shared some incredible tips that will help you craft a powerful resume. Here they are.
Choosing the Resume Format
The first thing you need to think about is your resume format. Most candidates follow the classical one and present their previous work experience in chronological order. Depending on your work experience, you can adapt the format of your resume however you like it. And, why not, use reverse chronological order. Yet, keep in mind that you should change the format a little bit so that you catch the attention of recruiters.
They usually spend only a few seconds skimming a resume, so, as a stay-at-home parent, you need to craft a powerful one. Usually, candidates choose to list the responsibilities and tasks they had at every job. No matter how you choose to list your previous work experience, make sure you highlight your qualifications. And more important, list your achievements for every job.
This would show recruiters that you have the experience and skills they need and they will consider you for the position you apply for. Many full-time parents are afraid that no one will consider them because they have spent the last years at home, caring for their children and family. But even though you might have been away from corporate work for some time, it does not mean that your qualifications, skills, and previous work experience have evaporated.
Stay-at-Home Experience
There is a fiery debate among professionals about adding your stay-at-home experience to your resume or not. There might be pros and cons for each option, so consider them before doing it.
However, you should know that if you do not add it, for sure recruiters will have questions regarding the gap in your work experience. It is crucial to keep in mind that you have developed a lot of skills during the time you spent at home. Skills that are relevant in a business and corporate setting too, not only at home.
For example, you might have honed your time management skills as taking care of children and the house is not easy. You may have developed your organizational skills tremendously, which helps you be even more efficient. Adding your experience as a stay-at-home parent to your resume is up to you and, of course, it highly depends on the job you apply for. If you don’t add it to your resume, maybe you can mention it in your cover letter.
Freelancing Work
Many full-time parents take on freelancing projects while they spend time at home. Even though you might feel it is not much, these projects are essential. And you need to add them to your resume as they show you have been active while you stayed at home.
Freelancing work is part of the work experience and you need to mention it in your resume. You might not have had a full-time job which implied going to the office, but it was work experience that helped you gain more skills and hone the ones you already had.
Professional Summary
One of the resume tips you need to apply is to have a professional summary on your resume. This summary should be no more than three sentences. But how should you craft it, considering that you have stayed at home for the last few years? Well, this summary should highlight your career goals and aims. It should highlight what you are looking for.
For example, you might have had a job as a software developer before becoming a full-time parent. Think about if you want to continue on this career path or not. If yes, you can mention the most important skills that recommend for a position.
Final Thoughts
Many full-time parents consider returning to work. However, they feel they will not be taken into consideration by recruiters exactly because they have this gap in their work experience.
However, it is essential to crafting a compelling resume that will help you stand out from the crowd and highlight the skills and experience that recommend you. It might not feel easy but challenging. But, apply these tips when you build your resume and you will end up with one that will get you the job you want.
