Are you a stay-at-home mom ready to re-enter the workforce? Perhaps you’ve been dedicating your time to caring for an elderly family member or managing other family obligations. Whatever your reason for stepping away, rejoining the professional world may seem daunting. But don’t worry! We’re here to help you create a resume that not only addresses your employment gap but also highlights the valuable skills you’ve gained during your time away.
Why You Need a Stay-at-Home Mom Resume
To re-enter the workforce
Breaking back into the workforce after a hiatus can be challenging. Your resume is your ticket to getting your foot in the door. It allows you to present your skills and experiences in a positive light, helping potential employers see the value you bring to the table.
To highlight your strengths
Think of your resume as your personal branding tool. It’s your opportunity to shape your narrative and explain why you’re the perfect fit for a prospective role. Presenting your qualifications clearly and confidently makes it easier for hiring managers to understand your potential contributions.
What to Focus On
Skills and qualifications
Your time as a stay-at-home mom has undoubtedly helped you develop a range of valuable skills—organizational abilities, time management, patience, and conflict resolution, to name a few. These are highly sought-after in every workplace; the key is to align them with the job you’re applying for.
For instance, instead of simply stating you’re an expert in time management, demonstrate how this skill will benefit the employer. Maybe you can coordinate complex schedules, meet tight deadlines, or juggle multiple priorities effectively.
Explaining your employment gap
While some advise downplaying employment gaps, addressing them head-on is typically better, especially when you’ve been engaged in meaningful activities like caregiving. We recommend listing roles such as “Stay-at-Home Parent,” “Caregiver,” or “Homemaker” directly on your resume. This transparency prevents employers from making negative assumptions and allows you to highlight transferable skills gained during this period.
When to Use a Stay-at-Home Mom Resume
- Rejoining the workforce after raising children: If you’ve taken time off to focus on your family, your resume should reflect your readiness to return.
- Overcoming employment gaps: Addressing your time away directly can prevent it from negatively impacting your job search.
- Pursuing a new career path: If you’re shifting careers, showcasing transferable skills from your time as a stay-at-home mom can be incredibly beneficial.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Listing the words “Stay-at-Home” on your resume
There’s debate over whether to include your role as a stay-at-home parent in your work experience, but the decision largely depends on its relevance to the job you’re seeking. If your parental duties have equipped you with skills pertinent to the role—such as managing schedules for a project management position—it’s advantageous to include them.
One effective approach is to use a summary statement at the top of your resume. It’ll allow you to succinctly explain your situation, highlight your objectives, and showcase your qualifications without focusing solely on the employment gap.
Including non-paid activities
Volunteering, fundraising, and community involvement are all valuable experiences. If these activities have helped you develop skills relevant to the job you’re applying for, they should definitely be included on your resume. Even if they don’t directly relate, highlighting parallel skill sets—like leadership or event planning—can strengthen your application.
Structuring Your Stay-at-Home Mom Resume
A chronological resume format is often the best choice, as it presents your work history clearly and straightforwardly.
Contact information
Begin with your name, address, phone number, and professional email address at the top of your resume.
Objective statement
An objective statement is particularly useful in explaining your unique circumstances. It should be clear and concise, outlining your background, the role you’re seeking, and the strengths you bring. For example:
“Experienced nursing professional with over 10 years in palliative care. Seeking to re-enter the workforce in a role that leverages my strong interpersonal skills and dedication to patient well-being.”
Experience
List your time as a stay-at-home mom just like any other job, including dates. Use a straightforward title like “Stay-at-Home Parent” and detail responsibilities and achievements related to the job you’re pursuing.
Include previous professional roles and any relevant volunteer work. Under each entry, focus on accomplishments and duties demonstrating your suitability for the desired position.
Skills
Highlight your top 5 to 7 skills in a dedicated section. Prioritize skills that align with the job description, as these are what hiring managers will be looking for.
Education
List your degrees and certifications, along with the institutions you’ve attended. If your education is particularly relevant, consider placing this section earlier in your resume.
Where to Apply with Your New Resume
With your polished resume in hand, it’s time to start applying. For moms seeking flexible or remote opportunities, HireMyMom.com is an excellent resource founded specifically to help mothers find the perfect job.
If you’re open to a wider range of opportunities, both virtual and office-based, consider using platforms like ZipRecruiter, which is consistently ranked among the top job search websites.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I list “Stay-at-Home Mom” on my resume?
Include it in your work experience with the title “Stay-at-Home Parent,” along with the dates. Highlight responsibilities and achievements that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
What is a good objective for a stay-at-home mom’s resume?
Your objective should focus on your relevant experience, the position you’re seeking, and the value you bring. For example:
“Seasoned advertising executive with over 10 years of integrated media experience, seeking a dynamic role in a fast-paced environment to contribute innovative solutions.”
How do I make a resume if I haven’t worked in 10 years?
Be transparent about your employment gap by including your role as a stay-at-home parent. Emphasize transferable skills and any volunteer work or education you’ve completed during that time.
Should I include volunteer work on my resume?
Absolutely! If your volunteer work has helped you develop skills relevant to the job you’re applying for, it can strengthen your resume and showcase your commitment and initiative.
Re-entering the workforce as a stay-at-home mom may seem challenging, but with a well-crafted resume, you can confidently showcase the valuable skills and experiences you’ve gained. Remember, your time away has equipped you with unique strengths that are highly valuable in today’s job market. Embrace your journey, and let your resume tell your story.
