Are you a mom or dad who has spent the past several years as a stay-at-home parent? Do you want to return to the workforce but worry that your resume might not stand out? How can you present your experience to make recruiters eager to meet you? These questions are likely swirling in your mind as you consider returning to work.
Even though you may feel your time at home hasn’t developed corporate-related skills, the reality is different. Being a caregiver helps you nurture valuable skills such as time management, communication, and emotional intelligence. Here are some expert tips from professional resume services to help you create a compelling resume that captures recruiters’ attention.
Choosing the Right Resume Format
The first step in crafting your resume is selecting the appropriate format. Many candidates follow the traditional chronological format, listing their work experience in order. However, depending on your experience, you might consider adapting this format. A reverse chronological order can be effective, but it’s crucial to modify it slightly to catch recruiters’ attention.
Recruiters often spend just a few seconds skimming a resume, so as a stay-at-home parent, you need to make yours powerful. Typically, candidates list their responsibilities and tasks for each job. Regardless of how you present your work history, emphasize your qualifications and, importantly, your achievements at each job.
Highlighting your accomplishments demonstrates that you possess the experience and skills recruiters are looking for, increasing your chances of being considered for the position. Many full-time parents fear their time at home will be a disadvantage. However, your qualifications, skills, and past work experience remain valuable, even if you’ve taken a career break.
Highlighting Stay-at-Home Experience
There is considerable debate about whether to include stay-at-home experience on your resume. Weigh the pros and cons before deciding. If you omit this period, recruiters will likely have questions about the gap in your work history.
It’s essential to recognize that you’ve developed many relevant skills during your time at home. Skills like time management, organizational prowess, and multitasking are highly transferable to a corporate setting. Including your stay-at-home experience can be beneficial, especially if these skills are relevant to the job you’re applying for. If you choose not to add it to your resume, consider mentioning it in your cover letter.
Incorporating Freelancing Work
Many full-time parents engage in freelancing projects while at home. These projects are crucial and should be included in your resume. Freelancing demonstrates that you’ve remained active and continued to develop your skills.
Even if these projects were not full-time or office-based, they contribute to your work experience. Listing your freelancing work showcases your initiative and ability to manage professional responsibilities alongside personal ones.
Crafting a Professional Summary
A professional summary is a critical component of your resume. This section, ideally no more than three sentences, should succinctly highlight your career goals and aspirations. Given your time at home, your summary should also reflect your readiness to return to the workforce.
For example, if you were a software developer before becoming a full-time parent, decide whether you want to continue on this path. If so, emphasize the key skills and experiences that qualify you for a software development position. This summary helps recruiters quickly understand your background and objectives.
Final Thoughts
Many full-time parents are apprehensive about reentering the workforce, fearing their career gap will be a significant obstacle. However, crafting a compelling resume that highlights your relevant skills and experiences can help you stand out.
Returning to work may seem daunting, but by applying these tips, you can create a resume that showcases your unique qualifications and lands you the job you desire. Remember, your time as a stay-at-home parent has equipped you with a wealth of valuable skills—use them to your advantage.
By thoughtfully presenting your experience and skills, you can overcome the challenges of a career break and successfully return to the workforce.
