If you are returning to the workforce after being a stay-at-home parent for a long period of time, you’re probably obsessing over the gap in your career and wondering how your resume could possibly compete with other professionals in your job search.
Thankfully, it’s less complicated than you think. A stay-at-home mom or dad resume can be just as appealing, as long as you follow a few simple guidelines. Here are some of our expert tips for explaining the "mommy/daddy gap" in your resume — and starting a new chapter in your professional career.
Thankfully, it’s less complicated than you think. A stay-at-home mom or dad resume can be just as appealing, as long as you follow a few simple guidelines. Here are some of our expert tips for explaining the "mommy/daddy gap" in your resume — and starting a new chapter in your professional career.
Be honest and straightforward.
Though you might be tempted to justify the gap in your career experience with a witty title like “Household CEO” or “Domestic Goddess,” do yourself a favor and resist the urge! Either leave the gap as it is and explain it concisely in your cover letter, or include “Stay at Home Parent” with the dates and leave it at that. Recruiters already know that being a stay-at-home mom or dad is a lot of work; however, when it comes to your resume, they’re only interested in experience that uniquely qualifies you for the job at hand. Anything else is fluff, and that will likely land your resume on the discard pile.
Identify all your marketable skills and achievements.
Go back through all of your professional experience and refresh the descriptions, then consider the time you’ve spent away from your career. What related experience have you gained while being a stay-at-home parent? Did you help your partner, friend, or relative with a work-related issue? (That counts as consulting!) Did you plan an event for your child’s school or a community group? Did you use your social media platform to help a local business promote a product or promotion? What about that online course you took (even a free one)? How did you use your professional skills during this time?
Think long and hard about any steps you took to grow or gain knowledge to benefit your career, and use job listings as your guide. If you notice key words like “problem solving” or “project management” in the description of a job you’d like to apply to, for instance, consider things you’ve done during your time at home that demonstrate your aptitude in those areas.
Think long and hard about any steps you took to grow or gain knowledge to benefit your career, and use job listings as your guide. If you notice key words like “problem solving” or “project management” in the description of a job you’d like to apply to, for instance, consider things you’ve done during your time at home that demonstrate your aptitude in those areas.
Customize, customize, customize!
Make sure every part of your resume is customized for the specific job you’re applying to. Yes, that means editing the language EVERY SINGLE TIME you submit it! Read the job description multiple times, highlight key words, and double and triple check that you address those key words throughout your resume—especially in the core competencies section.
Show confidence.
Not only is confidence good for your body and mind, it’s also good for your career. When you show employers that you know your worth, they will be intrigued. Get right to the point in your cover letter or job application, explain exactly what qualifies you for that specific role, and avoid superfluous language and cheeky job descriptions for your stay-at-home parent time frame.
Remember: You’re not alone.
If COVID-19 forced you to step away from your career due to lack of childcare or other factors, you’re not alone. According to the New York Times, more than 4 million women lost their payroll jobs as a result of the pandemic, and CNBC reported that “over 1 in 3 women [35%] who were unemployed in November [2021] had been out of work for six months or longer.” Though it’s difficult for data analysts to quantify the exact number of parents who have had to sacrifice their careers during this time due to lack of childcare, it’s very telling that “women’s labor force participation rates have repeatedly dropped at the start of school semesters.”
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