If you’ve been a stay-at-home mom for a while, looking for a job is a unique experience that offers many benefits to possible companies. Crafting a resume that communicates this period is crucial, and it’s important to understand how to put a stay-at-home mom on a resume in a way that resonates with hiring managers. Our detailed guide discusses strategies for highlighting your parenting skills and their applicability in the professional world.
While society’s views on career gaps have historically been mixed, recent trends indicate a shift towards more acceptance and understanding. In fact, a LinkedIn survey revealed that 62% of respondents have taken a career break at some point. This increasing normalization of career gaps, along with LinkedIn’s new feature for representing such periods, underscores the importance of effectively showcasing your time as a stay-at-home parent.
Deciding whether to include your role as a stay-at-home parent on your resume can be a pivotal moment in your career journey. The answer? Embrace it. How to list stay-at-home mom on a resume isn’t just about filling a gap. It’s about showing a chapter of your life rich with valuable skills and experiences. When crafting your resume, think of it as a narrative that presents your unique story, blending your professional past with the skills honed during your time as a parent.
Your resume should mirror the standard format with essential sections like header, experience, education, and skills. However, the addition of a resume summary or objective can be a game-changer. These sections offer a golden opportunity to frame who you are and what you aim to achieve in your next career phase. Reflecting on your work history, consider how far back you want to go and how your experiences as a parent enhance your professional narrative.
Remember, your journey as a stay-at-home parent has equipped you with a unique skill set. It’s time to show these skills with confidence and clarity, turning what some might see as a resume gap into a compelling asset.
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When adding your experience as a stay-at-home mom to your resume, it’s crucial to focus on how the skills and experiences gained during this period align with the job you’re applying for. Here are some examples of how to do it properly.
Under the skills section, list transferable skills such as time management, multitasking, and problem-solving. These are skills that are highly valued in any workplace and can be directly linked to your experience as a stay-at-home parent.
Begin your resume with a professional summary that briefly mentions your experience as a stay-at-home mom. For instance, “Experienced project manager and dedicated stay-at-home parent, skilled in leadership, time management, and conflict resolution.”
If you’ve been involved in volunteer work, community projects, or freelance work, list these experiences. For example, “Coordinated community charity events, managing teams of 10+ volunteers, and raising funds.”
Opt for a functional resume format that emphasizes skills and accomplishments over chronological work history. This allows you to showcase the abilities you’ve honed as a stay-at-home mom at the forefront of your resume.
When crafting a resume, especially in fields like engineering, where technical skills and precision are paramount, it’s essential to tailor your resume to highlight relevant experiences. For those in such technical fields, our article on the best engineering resume writing services offer tailored advice on presenting your skills effectively.
Furthermore, in today’s digital world, listing Google skills on your resume is increasingly important, especially for roles that require proficiency in digital tools and online collaboration. Our other resources guide you on how to list Google skills on your resume, ensuring that your digital competencies are clearly and effectively presented to potential employers.
It involves a strategic approach that highlights your unique skills and experiences. Here are some key takeaways on writing a standout resume for stay-at-home parents:
Recognize that being a stay-at-home parent has equipped you with a multitude of skills. Your resume should reflect these skills and experiences as integral parts of your professional journey.
Customize your resume for each job application. Review job descriptions carefully and align your skills and experiences with the needs of the company. For example, for those specifically looking to showcase data entry skills, our articles on how to put data entry on a resume offer detailed guidance. These articles provide insights into effectively highlighting data entry skills, including tips on mentioning software proficiency, typing speed, accuracy, and relevant accomplishments.
Where possible, provide specific examples or quantify the impact of your actions as a stay-at-home parent. This could include organizing events, managing household budgets, or any other significant achievements.
Utilize key action words to describe your experience and skills effectively. This helps in making your contributions clear and impactful. If you have technical skills like SQL, show them prominently on your resume. For those interested in it, our article about how to put SQL in a resume provides detailed guidance. Ensure these skills are visible and align with the job requirements.
Ensure your resume includes all the necessary sections, such as a header, experience, education, and skills. Consider adding optional elements like a resume summary or objective to provide a clear picture of who you are and what you’re looking for.
When adding your time as a stay-at-home parent to your resume, do so with confidence. Whether in the experience section of a chronological resume or in the skills section of a functional resume, present this time as a valuable part of your professional story.
Remember, the goal is to present your time as a stay-at-home parent not as a gap but as a period filled with growth, learning, and skill development that makes you a valuable candidate for any role.
Professional experience
Self-employed, 2017 – Present
San Francisco, California
- Educational Facilitator: Spearheaded the home-schooling program for two children, developing and implementing a comprehensive educational curriculum that enhanced learning outcomes.
- Health and Wellness Coordinator: Managed family health and nutrition, including meal planning and preparation, emphasizing a balanced diet and fostering healthy eating habits.
- Event Planning and Coordination: Organized and executed family events and social gatherings, demonstrating exceptional planning, organization, and execution skills.
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer Organizer
San Francisco Community Library, 2018 – Present
San Francisco, California
- Literacy Program Leader: Led a weekly children’s literacy program, fostering a love for reading and education in the community, showcasing strong leadership and teaching skills.
- Fundraising Coordinator: Initiated and coordinated several fundraising events for community development projects, exhibiting expertise in event management and community engagement.
This resume sample highlights the diverse skill set acquired by a stay-at-home mom. It showcases her abilities in education, health management, event coordination, and community involvement. Framing parenting and volunteer experiences in professional terms effectively demonstrate her capability in organizational management, education, and community service, making her a strong candidate for various roles in the workforce.
Describe a stay-at-home mom on a resume as a stay-at-home parent or family manager, listing the dates of this period. Detail relevant skills like time management, budgeting, and organization, emphasizing how these skills transfer to the workplace.
A stay-at-home mom should include tasks like managing household budgets, scheduling appointments, educational activities, and any volunteer work. Highlight skills developed, like multitasking, coordination, and problem-solving.
Professional terms for a stay-at-home mom include stay at home parent, family manager or domestic engineer. These terms reflect the management and organizational skills involved in the role.
Include homemaker skills on a resume by listing them under ‘Professional Experience’ or ‘Skills.’ Highlight relevant abilities such as financial management, time management, and organization, and relate them to workplace competencies.
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