In a prior post, we talked about smart career moves for stay-at-home parents, so now we’ll share some tips for updating your resume.
First – it ALL counts. Don’t shortchange yourself or your experience. Step back and take a second look at your activities, and you’ll see you’re using many of the skills valued in a corporate setting – just in different situations. You may have even developed or refined new skills. Also keep in mind:
1. Volunteer and unpaid work counts. Whether or not you were paid to do something doesn’t negate the fact that you did it.
2. Transferable skills are key when presenting your background. Identify what you bring to the table for a future employer.
3. Continuing education is not just formal university degrees. Give yourself credit for what you’ve done to keep yourself up to date over the past couple of years, both formally and informally.
4. Leadership and organization skills are valued in any setting. It might not come with a VP title, but successfully chairing a PTA fundraising event or managing registrations for the town athletic association uses similar skills.
Take a moment to think about how these skills interplay with the following list of common “Mom” activities:
Advertising & Marketing * Client Relations * Selling & Persuasion Skills
Organization * Leadership * Time Management * People Skills
* Managing the Spring PTA bake sale
* Serving as class mom at nursery school
* Selling Pampered Chef products
* Organizing a new toddler playgroup in the neighborhood
* Chairing an annual event for the Jr. Woman’s Club
Updating your resume after staying home to raise children does not need to be stressful. If you’ve been involved in school, the community, or in your child’s activities, chances are your experiences can be translated into value for a corporate setting.
