Does Being a Mom Count In a Resume? 3 Ways To Make It Work
Returning to work?
Has that time spent looking after your kids done anything for your resume other than date it or cover it in spit up?
returning to work after baby
To find out, we asked the author of a new book, Unlocking the Door to Your Career, Catherine Palmiere.
1) JP: What is the most important thing to emphasize if you have been out of the workforce, say looking after kids or family, and want to get back in?
Catherine: She must emphasize she’s stayed current in her field. For example, keeping computer skills up to date, staying on top of specific industry changes and news. It is also okay for them to say “I have stayed home to raise my family because I had the financial means to do it and it was important to me. I am now in a place in my life where I can give my employer my full attention and work on my career.”
2) JP: What is the biggest mistakes moms make when they are reentering the workforce after a long break?
Catherine: They think they can start at a higher salary than they were making. They bring attention and make excuses for staying home instead of discussing the value they bring to the organization. In addition, they often don’t realize how looking for a job has changed and don’t know how to go about it.
3) JP: How do you handle gaps in a resume?
Catherine: It depends on how many gaps. In this economic environment, gaps are common. If it is a gap because the person is returning to work, they should include volunteer work and charity work they may have done for their children’s school. For example, if the applicant looking for a fundraising job and they ran a charity auction, they should mention it.
She’s right … Blogging, social media, paying bills, juggling finances online, managing PTA, volunteering, all require executive, technical and time management skills.
You can get more advice from Catherine’s blog YourCareerMentor.
Catherine is president of Adam Personnel, Inc., and Adam Temporary Services, Inc., in New York. She’s had 27 years of professional staffing experience.
Read more or buy the book.
If you’d like a personalized copy of Catherine’s book, which she cowrote with Patrick O’Halloran, professor of technology at NY City College of Technology, contact her on cp@palmierecareerservices.com
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Filed Under: Cover Letters & Resumes • Moms Returning to Work
About the Author: Julie Power is a writer and editor with experience in both the United States and Australia. After living in the United States for 16 years, she recently returned to live in Sydney with her husband and twin boys (9 years old).
Follow @juliepower
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Thanks for offering SAHMs a reminder that many of the activities/hobbies and unpaid work they do does build their resumes while off. Volunteering is a great way to maintain or enhance skills, plus make potential references for future job applications.
However, I would contest her response to the first question. I wouldn’t offer to my future employer that I original stayed home because I had the financial means to do so – the ‘important to me part’ remains true, but no point in bringing up the financial aspect, because some ppl stay at home even with money being tight because it’s that important. Also, I don’t know that I would offer my ‘full attention’ to my employer and career – because as parents, we can never offer that. Family will still come first and it would be unreasonable to suggest the shift could happen that quickly or easily.
Thanks for a great post
I think Rebecca is spot on … particularly as any mom returning to the workforce doesn’t want a future employer to think you don’t need the money or that you aren’t serious about work (i.e., treating it like a hobby … because you can afford not to work.)