Should I Mention Being a Stay-At-Home Mom on My Resume?

Hey there! So, when I was getting back into work mode as a stay-at-home mom, I had this big question: Should I mention being a “stay-at-home mom” on my resume? It was a bit tricky because I didn’t want employers to think I wasn’t up to anything during that time.

I also worried they might not get how important my full-time parenting gig was. After digging into it and thinking it over, I decided to add my stay-at-home mom experience to my resume, and I want to share what I learned with you.

This article is all about recognizing the value of your time as a stay-at-home mom and realizing the awesome skills you pick up in that role. By giving a nod to your experience in a professional way on your resume, you can show employers that you’ve got the goods to rock it in the workplace.

What I Learned from Being a Stay-at-Home Mom

When I was doing the stay-at-home mom thing, I figured out it’s way more than just looking after the kiddos. It’s like a boot camp for all sorts of useful skills, like doing a bunch of things at once, managing time, solving problems, and talking to people in a way they get what you’re saying. And guess what? These skills can totally work in other jobs too!

Let me break it down for you:

Handling Lots of Stuff at Once (aka Multitasking)

I got really good at doing a bunch of things at the same time—cooking, laundry, and helping with homework. It’s like spinning plates but in a good way. This skill is super handy in jobs where you need to handle a bunch of projects or tasks at once.

Making the Most of Time (aka Time Management)

Being in charge of my kids’ schedules and stuff taught me how to decide what’s important and use my time wisely. It’s like having a ninja skill for getting things done. Any job with deadlines and lots of stuff to do would love someone with this time management mojo.

Solving Tricky Situations (aka Problem-Solving)

Being a stay-at-home mom means dealing with surprise challenges all the time. Quick thinking and coming up with clever solutions became my superpower. This skill is gold in any job where you gotta tackle problems and hurdles.

Talking and Listening (aka Effective Communication)

Chatting with my kids, their teachers, and other parents helped me get really good at talking and listening. Being clear with ideas and understanding others is key in jobs where you work in a team or talk with clients and coworkers.

Dealing with Employment Gaps as a Stay-at-Home Mom

Alright, so for many stay-at-home moms going back to work, a big worry is explaining those empty spaces in your job history. If you leave those gaps blank, bosses might get the wrong idea about how hardworking and committed you are.

Putting your stay-at-home mom gig on your resume helps clear things up. It shows you were busy doing important stuff during that time. Here are some tips to handle those work gaps:

Just Be Honest

No need to pretend you were doing something else during your stay-at-home mom days. Employers like it when you’re straight up, and they’ll probably respect you for putting family first.

Switch to a Functional Resume

Try a functional resume. It focuses on your skills and what you achieved instead of listing your jobs in order. This way, you can shine a spotlight on the cool skills you picked up while being a stay-at-home mom.

Mention Other Relevant Stuff

If you did any volunteer work or freelancing or kept learning new things during your stay-at-home mom phase, throw those in too. It shows you’re committed to growing personally and professionally.

Making Your Stay-at-Home Mom Experience Look Professional

To make sure your stay-at-home mom gig looks legit to employers, you gotta present it like a pro. Here’s how:

Talk Up Your Transferable Skills

Remember those skills you got from being a stay-at-home mom? Talk about them and explain how they fit the job you’re going for. Use real-life examples to show you know your stuff.

Focus on Your Wins

Don’t just list what you did as a stay-at-home mom. Talk about the cool stuff you accomplished. Did you rock a tight budget? Organize a community event? Highlight those wins to show you can make a positive difference at work.

Drop in Some Volunteer Work or Projects

If you did any volunteering, freelancing, or learning while doing the stay-at-home mom hustle, let employers know. It proves you’re all about growing and getting better.

Keep it Professional

When you’re talking about your stay-at-home mom time, keep it pro. Skip the super casual talk and use more pro-language. Instead of saying, “I stayed home for the kiddos,” try, “I took a career break to focus on full-time parenting and household management.” Easy, right?

Getting Your Resume Job-Ready

Hey there, fellow work-from-home moms! So, you’re on the hunt for a new job, and you want your resume to shine bright. I have some tips that can help you tweak that resume to match the job you’re eyeing. Ready?

• Know the Job Inside Out: Take a good look at the job description. Write down the skills and stuff they’re looking for. This helps you figure out what the employer wants.
• Highlight What Matters: Pick out the most important skills and experiences from your stay-at-home mom days and any other gigs you did. Make sure these take the spotlight on your resume.
• Sprinkle in Some Keywords: Check the job description for words and phrases they love. Use these in your resume. Some companies use fancy systems to sort through resumes, so this can boost your chances.
• Show Off with Numbers: Whenever you can, throw in numbers to show what you’ve achieved. Numbers make things real. This goes for your time as a stay-at-home mom and any other roles you’ve had.

Crafting a Killer Cover Letter

Now, let’s talk about that cover letter. It’s like the intro to your resume, and you want it to rock.

• Start with a Bang: Kick off your cover letter with a short intro that grabs attention. Talk about why you’re pumped for the job, and throw in a bit about your stay-at-home mom life. But keep it more about how ready you are to get back to work.
• Dive into Your Mom Skills: In the main part of your letter, talk about being a stay-at-home mom. Be specific about the skills you picked up and how they match the job you want. Use examples to make it real.
• Shout Out Your Excitement: Let them know you’re super excited to get back into the workforce. Say you’re ready to use your skills and grow in the job. Show them you’re all in.
• Finish with a Punch: Wrap up your cover letter by saying thanks and showing you’re keen to chat more in an interview. It’s like leaving the door open for them to invite you in.

Alright, you got this! Good luck out there! ?