After having a baby, the last thing on most mothers’ minds is getting their resume ready for the job market. After a few years, and a few more babies, returning to work becomes the last priority on the list. You can barely find time to take a shower and comb your hair while chasing after your little ones; never mind rewriting your resume. However, that will change.
The kids will each enter full-time school and your full house suddenly turns into a lonely place. For many moms, returning to work also becomes a financial necessity. The problem is – after staying home for several years, re-entering the job market is a daunting task.
Make no mistake, returning to work after maternity leave is not like any other job search. You are entering a career transition and you have to treat it like one. That means your resume will need a complete re-write to ensure you are in-line with career transition tactics.
We’ve broken down the resume writing process step-by-step to get your resume ready for the job market.
- Value Statement
A value statement is the introduction of your resume. Here you will introduce your skillset to the hiring manager and tell them everything they want to know about you in order to convince them that you are qualified for the role. For a mom returning to work, it is important to mention your years of experience. You shouldn’t include the years that you’ve stayed at home, but if you had 9 years of professional experience prior to maternity leave, definitely make that clear.
- Keywords
The keywords from your original resume definitely need to be updated. Industry buzzwords are constantly changing and you need to be up-to-date. If you are including outdated keywords and skills in your resume, the hiring manager will feel as though you are not ready to transition back into the workforce. A great way to find new buzzwords for your field and industry is by researching current job postings for the positions you are seeking. Review the job description as well as the requirements section and mimic the keywords.
- Professional Experience
Do not use a skills-based functional resume. This is a popular tactic for many job seekers in career transition mode, however when it comes to stay-at-home moms, it is not effective. Many moms will refrain from using a chronological format because the hiring manager will clearly see that there is a gap in the work experience. Don’t shy away from letting the hiring manager know that you are returning to work after staying home with your kids. This is a completely normal and common situation in the job market, so you don’t need to hide it. At the beginning of your professional experience section, clearly state the time period that you have been on maternity leave. That will clear up any questions in the hiring manager’s mind as to why there is a gap in work experience.
- Education
Depending on how many years you have spent at home, you may want to consider upgrading your skills before re-entering the job market. If you’ve recently completed certifications or courses, ensure to include them in your resume along with the dates. This will show the hiring manager that you have made an effort to upgrade your skills in preparation for returning to work.
- Community Involvement
Though you may not have been employed in the last few years, that doesn’t mean you haven’t been working. Many moms are heavily involved with local organizations, fundraisers and school-related groups. Mention these positions in your community involvement section along with any notable achievements, such as event coordination or reaching fundraising goals.
Once you’ve got your resume ready for the job market, it is time to get your name out there. Begin networking with former colleagues, get yourself a profile on LinkedIn, and actively pursue job opportunities within your targeted field and industry.
About the Author
ResumeTarget.com provides professional resume writing services for clients of all career levels across North America. We are the only resume writing company that offers a professionally written resume coupled with the guidance of recruiters, to guarantee that your resume will get results. If you’re looking for guidance, submit your resume for a free review today.
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