Large gaps in a person’s work history can make it difficult to find a job. This is true even for individuals who chose to be home with the kids until they were old enough to go to school. If you left a job to stay home with the kids and are now interested in rejoining the workforce, you have likely noticed that it is not always easy for a stay-at-home parent returning to work.
But there are ways to capture the attention of hiring managers and craft your resume for a return to the office. An employment expert at Quality Placement Authority knows who’s hiring and can share with you information about how to handle career gaps when writing your resume.
A Functional Resume Format Could Be the Right Choice
When crafting a resume, you have different formatting options. If you are looking for a job and have large gaps in your employment history, listing your work experience in a functional format could be beneficial.
A chronological resume is one that lists your job experience in order, by the date you were employed at each organization. This format can be problematic when there are employment gaps, because listing jobs by date will only bring attention to time spent away from paid work.
When you focus on your qualifications, you can highlight why you are the best candidate for the job. For example, if you are a stay-at-home parent returning to work, a functional resume could focus on skills you have acquired through past jobs and volunteering you participated in while home with the kids. Areas you could highlight may include the following:
- Administrative
- Organization
- Marketing
- Leadership
- Management
- Communication
Once you have a hiring manager’s interest, you have a better chance of securing an interview.
Focus on Your Value When You’re a Stay-at-Home Parent Returning to Work
Remember, employers want to connect with candidates who will add value to their organization. To do this, you want to point out achievements accomplished in past positions and experiences.
And volunteer work that has expanded your skill set should be included. Some non-paying positions have responsibility levels that are similar to those in paid positions. And it is important to note that even individuals with little or no work experience could create a functional resume if they have life experience that correlates with the job requirements listed in a job description.
That said, listing your stay-at-home parenting duties on your resume is not advised. But you could use your cover letter to mention that while you have taken time away from the workforce, you are committed to securing a job in order to move your career forward.
Is it time for you to return to work after being home with the kids? An employment expert can help. Quality Placement Authority is a full-service staffing and recruiting firm with nationwide service capabilities. Let our experts help find the best position for you. Connect with Quality Placement Authority today.
