Best Resume Tips for Stay at Home Moms: How to Showcase Your Skills and Experience
*Disclaimer: I worked as a resume writer for over two years for a large employment website. Some of what I learned is included in this article, but some of the advice may not work for you. Take what you can and do what you feel is best.
Stay-at-home moms who are looking to re-enter the workforce may face a daunting task when it comes to updating their resumes. Many moms have been out of the workforce for a significant period of time and may not know where to start when it comes to creating a resume that will grab the attention of potential employers. However, with the right tips and guidance, stay-at-home moms can create a resume that showcases their skills and experience and sets them apart from other candidates.
One of the most important things for stay-at-home moms to consider when creating a resume is highlighting the transferable skills they have developed while caring for their family. These skills may include organization, time management, budgeting, and communication, among others. It's important to frame these skills in a way that is relevant to the job they are applying for, and to focus on achievements rather than domestic duties. By doing so, stay-at-home moms can show potential employers that they have the skills and experience necessary to succeed in the workplace.
Another key tip for stay-at-home moms is to utilize their resume summary or objective to showcase their work history and qualifications. This section should be placed at the top of the resume, underneath the header, and should be a brief description of their skills and experience. By using a resume summary or objective, stay-at-home moms can quickly and effectively communicate their value to potential employers and set themselves apart from other candidates. Some people say to skip the objective or summary, but I was trained to always include a two to three sentence paragraph that included keywords from the job posting that you’re applying to.
Understanding the Gap
Returning to the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom can be challenging, especially when it comes to explaining the employment gap on your resume. However, it's important to remember that employers understand that many parents take time off to raise their children.
When explaining the gap, it's essential to be honest and straightforward. You don't need to go into too much detail, but it's important to address the gap in a way that shows you are still a qualified candidate.
One way to explain the gap is to highlight the skills you developed while being a stay-at-home mom. For example, you may have developed excellent time management skills, learned how to multitask, and become an expert at problem-solving. These are all valuable skills that you can highlight on your resume.
Another way to explain the gap is to focus on any volunteer work or freelance projects you may have done during your time off. This can show that you were still active and engaged in your field, even if you weren't working full-time.
It's also important to remember that the employment gap doesn't have to be a big deal. Many employers are more interested in your current skills and experience than what you did in the past. So, focus on highlighting your strengths and what you can bring to the table, rather than dwelling on the gap in your employment history.
Identifying Your Skills
As a stay-at-home mom, you have developed valuable skills that are transferable to the workplace. The first step in creating a resume is to identify these skills and highlight them in your resume. Here are some tips to help you identify your skills:
1. Make a List of Your Daily Activities
Start by making a list of your daily activities as a stay-at-home mom. Include everything from cooking and cleaning to managing schedules and finances. This will give you a good idea of the skills you have developed over the years.
2. Identify Transferable Skills
Once you have a list of your daily activities, identify the skills that are transferable to the workplace. For example, if you managed the family budget, you likely have skills in financial management. If you organized playdates and activities, you likely have skills in event planning and coordination.
3. Use Action Verbs
When describing your skills on your resume, use action verbs to make them more impactful. For example, instead of saying "Managed the family budget," say "Developed and implemented a budget plan that reduced expenses by 20%."
4. Highlight Your Soft Skills
Soft skills are just as important as hard skills when it comes to finding a job. As a stay-at-home mom, you likely have developed strong communication, time management, and problem-solving skills. Be sure to highlight these skills on your resume.
By identifying your skills and highlighting them on your resume, you can show potential employers that your time as a stay-at-home mom has prepared you for the workforce.
Tailoring Your Resume
Tailoring your resume is essential when applying for any job, and it is especially important for stay-at-home moms. You want to highlight your skills and experience that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Here are some tips to help you tailor your resume:
Use keywords: Look at the job posting and use keywords from it in your resume. This will help your resume get past any automated systems that companies use to filter resumes.
Emphasize your skills: Highlight the skills you have developed while being a stay-at-home mom. For example, you may have excellent communication skills from dealing with your children's teachers or doctors. You may have strong organizational skills from managing your household.
Focus on achievements: Instead of listing your responsibilities, focus on your achievements. For example, you may have organized a successful fundraiser for your child's school or managed a renovation project for your home. These achievements show that you have the skills to take on a challenging project.
Use a functional resume format: A functional resume format focuses on your skills and accomplishments instead of your work history. This format is ideal for stay-at-home moms who have gaps in their work history.
Keep it concise: Your resume should be no longer than two pages. Use bullet points to make it easy to read and scan.
By tailoring your resume, you can show potential employers that you have the skills and experience they are looking for. Use these tips to make your resume stand out and increase your chances of getting hired.
Highlighting Transferable Skills
As a stay-at-home mom, you have developed a wide range of skills that are transferable to the workforce. Highlighting these skills on your resume can help you stand out to potential employers. Here are some tips for highlighting your transferable skills.
Parenting Skills as Job Skills
Parenting requires a variety of skills that are valuable in the workplace. For example, you may have developed strong communication skills from talking to your children and negotiating with them. You may also have developed excellent time management skills from juggling multiple tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for your children. These skills can be applied to a variety of jobs, such as customer service, project management, and administrative roles.
To highlight these skills on your resume, consider creating a skills section and listing your parenting skills as job skills. For example, you might list "Strong communication skills" and "Excellent time management skills" under the skills section of your resume.
Volunteer Work and Part-Time Jobs
Volunteer work and part-time jobs can also provide valuable experience that can be highlighted on your resume. For example, if you volunteered at your child's school, you may have developed event planning and coordination skills. If you worked part-time as a bookkeeper, you may have developed accounting and financial management skills.
To highlight these skills on your resume, consider creating a separate section for volunteer work and part-time jobs. List the skills you developed in these roles, along with any achievements or accomplishments. For example, you might list "Event planning and coordination" under your volunteer work section and "Accounting and financial management" under your part-time job section.
By highlighting your transferable skills on your resume, you can show potential employers that you have valuable experience that can be applied to a variety of jobs. Whether you developed these skills through parenting, volunteer work, or part-time jobs, they can help you stand out in a competitive job market.
Creating a Functional Resume
If you're a stay-at-home mom looking to re-enter the workforce, a functional resume could be the perfect way to showcase your skills and experience. Unlike a traditional chronological resume, a functional resume focuses on your skills and accomplishments rather than your work history. Here are some tips for creating a functional resume that will help you stand out from the crowd.
Focus on Skills
When creating a functional resume, it's important to focus on your skills. Start by making a list of all the skills you've developed while being a stay-at-home mom. These might include:
Organization
Time management
Budgeting
Communication
Problem-solving
Multitasking
Once you've identified your skills, make sure to highlight them in your resume. Use bullet points to list your skills and provide specific examples of how you've used them in your daily life. For example:
Successfully managed a household budget of $X per month, ensuring that all bills were paid on time and within budget.
Coordinated schedules for a family of X, including school drop-offs and pick-ups, extracurricular activities, and doctor's appointments.
Developed and implemented a system for organizing household paperwork, resulting in a 50% reduction in clutter and improved efficiency.
Include Relevant Coursework
If you've taken any courses or completed any certifications during your time as a stay-at-home mom, make sure to include them in your resume. This will show potential employers that you're committed to learning and growing in your field.
When listing your coursework, make sure to focus on courses that are relevant to the job you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for a job in marketing, you might list courses in social media marketing, content marketing, and email marketing.
Here's an example of how you could list your coursework on your resume:
Relevant Coursework:
Social Media Marketing (XYZ University)
Content Marketing (ABC Institute)
Email Marketing (123 College)
By including your relevant coursework, you'll demonstrate to potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in your new role.
Networking and Social Media
When it comes to finding a job, networking and social media can be extremely helpful for stay-at-home moms. Here are some tips on how to use social media to your advantage:
LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is a great platform to showcase your skills and experience to potential employers. Make sure your profile is complete and up-to-date, including a professional profile picture and a headline that accurately reflects your skills and experience. Use keywords that are relevant to your industry to make it easier for recruiters to find you.
In the "Experience" section, don't be afraid to list your time as a stay-at-home mom as a job. Highlight the skills you developed during that time, such as time management, organization, and multitasking. You can also list any volunteer work or freelance projects you've done during that time.
Online Networking
Online networking can be a great way to connect with other professionals in your industry. Join LinkedIn groups related to your field and participate in discussions. Follow companies you're interested in working for on social media and engage with their content.
You can also consider reaching out to former colleagues or classmates to let them know you're looking for work. Don't be afraid to ask for referrals or recommendations - people are often happy to help.
Overall, social media can be a powerful tool when it comes to finding a job as a stay-at-home mom. By optimizing your LinkedIn profile and engaging in online networking, you can increase your visibility to potential employers and make valuable connections in your industry.
Cover Letter Tips
When applying for a job after being a stay-at-home mom, your cover letter is your chance to showcase your skills and enthusiasm. Here are some tips to help you write a great cover letter.
Addressing the Gap
One of the biggest concerns for stay-at-home moms returning to work is addressing the employment gap on their resume. Your cover letter is the perfect place to explain this gap in a positive light. Be honest and upfront about why you took time off, and highlight the skills you developed during that time. For example, you may have become an expert in time management, organization, and multitasking while raising your children. Emphasize how these skills make you a valuable asset to any employer.
Showcasing Your Enthusiasm
Employers want to hire someone who is passionate about the job. Use your cover letter to show your enthusiasm for the position and the company. Research the company and find out what they are looking for in a candidate. Then, tailor your cover letter to show how you are the perfect fit. Be sure to highlight your relevant skills and experience, and explain why you are excited about the opportunity.
Remember, your cover letter is your chance to make a great first impression. Use it to showcase your skills, enthusiasm, and passion for the job. With these tips, you can write a cover letter that will help you stand out from the competition and land your dream job.
Interview Preparation
Preparing for a job interview can be nerve-wracking, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some tips to help you feel more confident and prepared:
Anticipating Questions
One of the best ways to prepare for a job interview is to anticipate the questions that the interviewer might ask. Take some time to think about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your experience and skills. Be prepared to provide specific examples of how you have used these skills in the past.
Here are some common questions that you might be asked during a job interview:
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
Why do you want this job?
What experience do you have that is relevant to this position?
How do you handle stress or difficult situations?
Confidence Building
Feeling confident during a job interview is key to making a good impression. Here are some tips to help you feel more confident:
Practice, practice, practice. Practice answering common interview questions with a friend or family member.
Dress appropriately. Make sure that you dress professionally and appropriately for the job that you are interviewing for.
Research the company. Take some time to research the company and the position that you are applying for. This will help you to understand the company's values and goals, and to tailor your responses to the interviewer's questions accordingly.
Be yourself. Remember that the interviewer wants to get to know you as a person, not just as a potential employee. Be yourself and let your personality shine through.
By following these tips, you can feel more confident and prepared for your job interview. Remember to be yourself and to focus on your strengths and experience. Good luck!