As a mom, you might think that your resume is all about your previous jobs and personal achievements, but there's more than just that to consider. In fact, there's plenty of room for you to show off the skills and experiences gained from all those sleepless nights and carpools! Here are 4 ways to do just that:
Use your skills, not your job
When you're a mom, your resume is going to be different than the other applicants. That's because employers are more likely to see your experience as valuable, especially if you have skills in areas that aren't traditionally considered "mom work." For example, if you've been running your own business on the side while working full-time at an office job (and doing both well), then show off those accomplishments! Or perhaps you started a blog or YouTube channel where people come from all over the world to learn how to do something new--this kind of thing shows creativity and drive.
If there are specific skills listed on the job description for which there isn't much competition among applicants, consider highlighting those too--for example: "I am proficient in Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations" or "I'm great at creating flowcharts." Even if these aren't necessarily part of being a stay-at-home parent (though they might be), they show potential employers why they should consider hiring someone who has lots of experience raising kids while also keeping up with professional development activities outside work hours.
Show how you can fit into the company culture
When you are a mom, it's important to show that you can fit into the company culture. This is especially true if you're applying for a job that has a specific culture or one that emphasizes certain values. It's also important because many employers want to know how applicants will fit in with their existing staff members and contribute to their team dynamic.
In order to demonstrate your ability to work well within the company culture:
Show how your experience is relevant to the job description and requirements of this position (this shows responsibility)
Demonstrate passion for what you do (this will make them think "she'll be great at this")
Consider your strengths and weaknesses
When you are ready to begin writing a resume, it is important to consider your strengths and weaknesses. This will help you determine which aspects of your experience make the best highlights for a potential employer. For example, if you're an excellent cook but don't have much experience with computers or technology, then those skills may not be relevant on your resume unless they're specifically requested by an employer (for example, if they need someone who can manage their social media accounts).
Employers love when you show that you're responsible, flexible and passionate about your work.
You can do this by highlighting the following:
Show that you are a team player. Employers want to know that the candidate will fit into the culture of their organization and work well with others in their department or team. If there are specific projects where this was evident (e.g., creating new processes for collaboration), highlight those experiences on your resume.
Show that you're a self-starter who can take initiative without needing someone else's approval first--this shows initiative and ownership over tasks given to you by management/customers/etcetera! A good example would be something like "I noticed [problem] so I took action by [solution]. This led directly into some great results for both parties involved."
Show how much passion exists within each role held at previous jobs over time...and then explain why! For example: "[insert position title here] was one of my favorite roles because it allowed me more freedom than most others had ever offered me before; as such I learned quickly how important it was not only having good communication skills but also being able to solve problems quickly under pressure situations too!"
How to use your professional experience as a mother
Your professional experience as a mother is an asset to your resume. You should use it to show how you can fit into the company culture and how much passion you have for your work.
How do I do this?
Use your skills, not just the job title: If you have shown that you are responsible and flexible as a mother, then these qualities will also be apparent in any role that suits your strengths and weaknesses. For example, if being responsible means staying organized with tasks at home (and at work), then this skill can translate into being able to manage multiple projects at once or prioritize tasks when needed on the job. Similarly, if being flexible means adapting quickly when unexpected situations arise around family members' schedules or health issues (such as getting sick), then those same skills will serve well within an office environment when unexpected changes occur due unforeseen circumstances such as weather events affecting travel plans or equipment failures resulting in lost productivity time spent troubleshooting instead of working productively toward project goals."
Use your resume to show how you can fit into the company culture. If you're applying for a job at an organization where there are lots of young families, it's okay to mention that you have children and what their ages are. If this information isn't relevant to the job or company culture, leave it off altogether--but if it does help showcase how well suited you are for this position (e.g., because of your flexibility), then feel free to include that information in an appropriate section of your CV/resume or cover letter.
If you've ever had to juggle a career and family life, then you know how difficult it can be. But now that you have some tips for how to use your experience as a mom on your resume, it should be a little easier!
If you're ready to put your resume to the test, check out the latest legit work from home jobs from Legit Mom Jobs here.
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