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3 Stay at Home Mom Returning to Work Resume Examples

Stay at Home Mom Returning to Work Resume

Modern stay at home mom returning to work resume, professional stay at home mom returning to work resume.

• Stay at Home Mom Returning to Work Resume Writing 101

Being a stay at home mom is exhausting. It takes determination, patience, focus, and is an all-around challenging (and sometimes thankless) job!

What can be even harder is getting back into the workforce after being a stay at home mom. If it’s been a few years since your last formal job, you might be struggling with crafting a great resume to land that dream job.

Fortunately, we’ve helped thousands of stay at home moms score interviews and find the perfect job for them. This guide is the culmination of everything we’ve learned over the years, starting with three stay at home mom resume examples!

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• Stay at home mom

What’s Most Important: Your Skills & Work Experience

As a recruiter skims your stay at home mom resume, they want to see how your skills and mindset will make you a good fit for the job you’re applying for.

That’s why you need to hone in on any skills you’ve picked up or finessed as a homemaker (budgeting, leadership, organizing) while also including skills from any previous jobs you had.

You can also include skills from any volunteering stints you had, like social media marketing or networking. If there are skills your potential employer includes on the job description that you have, make sure to include it. You’ll be one step closer to landing that interview!

9 best stay at home mom skills

• (Digital) marketing
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Customer service
• Microsoft Office
• Project management

Sample stay at home mom work experience bullet points

The work experience section of your resume as a stay at home mom is designed to translate your skills into impact. To do that, you want to demonstrate the positive outcomes of your actions throughout your career.

If you have previous work experience before becoming a stay at home mom, mention that as well. However, you shouldn’t hide your time as a homemaker and leave an employment gap, so make sure to let that experience shine!

Here are some examples of ways to showcase your prior career experience, while demonstrating impact:

• Identified cost-saving opportunities for a household of 2 adults and 3 children, reducing monthly budget by 15%
• Created a positive shopping atmosphere for customers, leading to an average $8,000 in sales per day
• Created and grew an Instagram and TikTok community for single moms with over 30,000 followers in 18 months
• Chaired monthly community meetings to discuss security issues within the neighborhood, passing 5 HOA bylaws to 95% approval
• Received “Employee of the Year” award for regularly exceeding company goal of onboarding 5 employees each month

Top 5 Tips for Your Stay at Home Mom Resume

• Being a mom is a challenging job. Don’t skim over it and leave a gap in your employment history! Instead, own your experience and use any skills you’ve picked up to your advantage. Whether you learned Excel or Quickbooks in your spare time, or sharpened your budgeting and time management skills, put it down. Confidence is key!
• As you transition from a stay at home mom back into the corporate world, you may want to highlight how your past and current experience makes you a good fit for the role you’re applying for. However, your objective statement needs to be 100 percent tailored to each job: mention the company by name, and focus on relevant skills you have that they want. If it’s generic, you’ll lose the recruiter’s attention.
• Everyone has something that makes them unique. Maybe you learned French in high school, or you could have a knack for data analytics. If it makes you stand out, put it down!
• If you haven’t had a lot of prior work experience, you can include extracurricular or online courses you’ve taken. Plus, add any volunteer experience you’ve had. When possible, quantify your impact, like we mentioned earlier.
• While you may want to overcompensate on your stay at home mom resume if you feel it’s lacking, you don’t want to write a resume as long as a James Joyce novel! Instead, keep it to one page. Conciseness is key!

The most important thing is that it should be an easy resume template to read for both a human and applicant tracking system (ATS). That means lots of white space, no fancy graphics or bullet points, and a maximum of one page. If possible, save it as both a Word Doc and a PDF file.

It’s better to have a bit less than to overdo it. If you’ve included your relevant skills, work experience, contact info, volunteer work, and a personalized career objective, then you’ve got everything that needs to be there. Don’t ramble pointlessly!

You betcha! Don’t worry, it’s not that complicated. You just want to make sure any skills the job description asks for that you have is included on your resume as a stay at home mom, and that your work experience reflects the mindset and skills they expect of you.

21+ Tips For Stay-at-Home Parents Returning To Work

Returning to work after being a stay-at-home parent can be intimidating.

The concerns are multifaceted: from fears of that employment gap on your resume to worries about outdated skills or balancing career demands with familial commitments.

Being a parent feels like a full-time job, and these worries may even escalate and cause stay-at-home parents to question their readiness to join the workforce.

Well, what if we told you there’s no reason to worry about any of that?

This article provides a comprehensive guide with strategies for stay-at-home parents returning to work, including:

• 3 Things to Consider When Starting Your Job Hunt
• 7 Job-Search Tips for Stay-at-Home Parents
• 3 Job Interview Tips

10 Resume Tips for Stay-at-Home Parents

And more. Let’s dive in!

3 Things To Consider When Starting Your Job Hunt

You’ve spent years taking care of your family, and you’re finally ready to start climbing that career ladder again.

There’s only one problem - you’re not sure where to start.

Don’t fret, though.

This is a completely normal experience for many parents who are getting back on their working feet after spending time as caretakers.

Here are the most important things to consider when you start looking for a job:

#1. What is your availability?

Being a full-time parent and a full-time employee is tough. 

If you’re the only person taking care of the kids, you might want to consider other options. Depending on your exact availability, a part-time or freelance position might be a better fit.

On the other hand, you might want to skip the commute to the office entirely. Thankfully, there are plenty of remote jobs that are a great career fit for stay-at-home parents .

#2. What field do you want to work in?

Having a child is a life-changing experience, so it may happen that you change along with it.

It’s very common for parents to end up changing their career aspirations completely.

Maybe you were a talented web developer but now you’re inspired to pursue your passion for teaching . Thankfully, one of the best times for a career change is right after parental leave.

Your resume already has a gap, and you can take any extra time you need to gain skills and certifications for the industry you want.

If you’re not sure what you want to do for a living, taking a career aptitude test can help you find out.

#3. What are your career goals?

Think about your exact reason for wanting a job again.

Going back out into the workforce can be a necessity for most parents, so we understand the financial goal may come above all else. But there are still some underlining things to consider when starting the search for your next job.

Are you ready to start climbing up the corporate ladder and dedicate yourself to your career? Or would you rather have a less demanding but stable position?

If your goal isn’t financial, consider your motivations.

Do you want to pursue a passion or get back into a routine outside of the home?

Whatever your goals might be, it might be worth really thinking them through.

7 Job-Search Tips For Stay-at-Home Parents

Going on your first job hunt in years can feel harrowing. And as a stay-at-home parent, you might feel especially unprepared.

Thankfully, we’ve put together this list of tips to help you land your next gig!

#1. Plan ahead

Easing your way back into work isn’t all that easy.

Now that you’ve decided you’re going back out into the workforce, start by making a plan.

Ask yourself some of the following questions to get the ball rolling:

• Do I have the skills or qualifications for the career I want?
• What are the needs I can’t compromise on for a job?
• Can someone watch my kids while I go to interviews?
• How can I maintain a work-life balance?

Depending on your situation, your bounce back to work might require more time than anticipated. But the more detailed the plan you make, the easier it’ll be to transition back into the workplace.

#2. Gain new skills and experience

Being a parent opens you up to a world of skills and experiences you never could have imagined.

You’re now an experienced multitasker, household manager, and champion of endurance. However, not all of those skills should be at the forefront of your job search.

The career you have your sights set on might require important skills you don’t have yet. So why not go get them?

For example, if you’re a former florist and you’re interested in pursuing a job as a UX designer, you’ll need a few months to gain the necessary knowledge, and then build a portfolio.

Depending on the length of your unemployment and specific field, you might need to gain new professional credentials or certifications.

Start by checking out your local libraries and community centers, since they’re likely to offer free educational resources. If you need new qualifications, consider taking classes at your local community college or an online course.

Volunteering is a great way to gain valuable experience. In addition to being good for your health , your contribution to a cause or organization can be in line with your professional goals.

For example, if you want to volunteer at an animal shelter but you need experience as a UX designer, you can offer to revamp their website.

If need to start work as soon as possible, look into companies that offer returnships. Sometimes referred to as “adult internships”, these are paid roles catered to candidates returning to the workforce.

Returnships are often part of programs that can lead to full-time employment and are a great way to get back on your working feet.

#3. Refresh your social media profiles

Social media has integrated itself deeply into our lives, and it can affect your professional life just as it can your personal one.

It may come as no surprise to you that you can even get hired using social media . Just be sure to clean up your online presence, so that everything that comes up when your name is looked up is presentable.

Depending on your area of interest, you might want to focus on professional social media like LinkedIn. If you don’t have a profile there, sign up. This enables recruiters to reach out to you for positions that you’d be a good fit for.

If you’re part of a creative field, prepare a portfolio you can show when applying. A personal website is the best choice but if you already have a dedicated Instagram page, that could work just as well.

#4. Leverage your network

Your networking skills can help in your job hunt.

Connect with other stay-at-home parents returning to work so you have a support group and a source of inspiration for those days you feel overwhelmed by your task.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the field you’re interested in, and reach out to any contacts who might be able to help you. Before you start aiming for specific positions, get to know people in the industry.

Consider attending local networking events and asking questions. This way, once you start your job search in earnest, you might even get a referral.

If your network is too limited, now is the time to expand. Seek out groups related to your professional interests on social media and join them to connect with like-minded professionals.

For example, if you’re an interior designer looking to get back into the game, you can seek out online communities related to interior design, furniture, home renovation, and architecture. You can bring yourself up to speed on how the field has been while you were away, and what tools are in vogue.

#5. Stay patient and positive

There’s no quick fix to finding a job after being a stay-at-home parent.

Your career journey might take weeks or months. Finding the right position that fits your family’s needs and your career goals can take time.

Whether you get a callback or an interview, keep looking for opportunities and submitting your application for positions.

Don’t measure your worth based on how long your job hunt takes. One small way you can encourage yourself is to change the way you talk about your career.

For example, instead of saying “I’m trying to be a graphic designer”, say “I am a graphic designer”.

This change of mindset can boost your confidence and make navigating the job market a little easier.

#6. Practice your schedule

After spending years outside the workforce, it’s safe to safe your routine has changed.

As a stay-at-home parent, your schedule was likely based on the needs of your family. This is why it can be challenging when you try and transition back into the workplace and follow a different routine.

To help structure your time more efficiently, try adjusting your life as a stay-at-home parent to a work schedule.

For example, try getting up at the time you would for work. Set aside a specific time of day for job-searching, networking, and other career-related activities.

By regulating activities to certain hours, you improve your time management skills , learn to accomplish more in less time, and make the eventual change to a workplace that much easier.

#7. Find a balance

At the beginning of your return to the workplace, you might feel overwhelmed.

With so much going on at once, you might not be sure if you can handle it. Now is the time to rely on external support.

Leverage the help of family, friends, and community resources you have access to. Ask your partner to help with more chores or arrange a carpool so your friend takes the kids to school.

Parenting groups, after-school programs, and other local organizations can offer you other forms of support, such as guidance or other childcare solutions.

For each person, finding a work-life balance is unique and no one has a universal solution. You need to establish priorities, set boundaries, and manage expectations for everyone in your family to see what works for you.

The first step on your job hunt is knowing how to make a resume .

Here’s an example of a stay-at-home mom resume, created with our very own resume builder:

Before getting started with your job search, check out our detailed guide on how to update your resume after being a stay-at-home parent .

Or if you’re looking for the cliff notes, keep reading!

#1. Choose the best resume format

The most common resume format is the reverse-chronological resume format .

It makes it easy to follow achievements and career progression.

However, if you don’t have relevant experience for the job you’re aiming for, you might want to try the functional resume format . Also called the skills-based resume format, it focuses on your abilities rather than your employment history, so it’s ideal for parents trying to bring attention away from their employment gaps.

#2. Update your contact information

Make sure your contact information is updated and accurate. 

After all, how good your resume is won’t matter if the recruiter can’t call you because there’s a typo in your contact details.

The contact information on your resume should include:

• Full name - You can update this if you’ve changed your last name since the last time you were working.
• Title - Use the job title for the position you’re applying for, word for word.
• Phone number - Add a number that’s easiest to reach you on and double-check it’s correct. 
• Email address - Make sure the email address you provide on your resume is professional. ([email protected], not [email protected])
• Location - Your city and state or country are enough unless specified otherwise.

#3. Write a captivating resume summary or objective

Your resume’s header needs to catch the hiring manager’s attention and convince them to read the rest of your resume.

So how do you make it happen? By writing a great statement at the top of your resume.

Both a resume summary and resume objective are two-to-four-sentence-long paragraphs nested in your header, near your contact information. 

But that’s where their similarities end.

A resume summary is meant to recap your most notable professional achievements and it’s the best choice for someone reentering an industry they have professional experience in.

However, a resume objective might be more appropriate if you have large gaps in your employment or you’re going for a career change. 

The resume objective describes what you want to achieve and why you’re the right person for the position you’re applying for.

Learn more about resume objectives here .

#4. Describe your work experience

The work experience section does most of the legwork on your resume. So you want to make sure it’s spotless before sending in your application.

When describing your employment history, focus on achievements over responsibilities.

Provide the following information related to your work experience:

• Position name
• Company name
• Dates employed
• Responsibilities and achievements

#5. Explain the employment gap

Whatever you do, don’t ignore the employment gap on your resume.

Your employer will want to know what you’ve been doing up until your application and an unexplained employment gap in your resume is a major red flag.

To remedy this, treat your time as a stay-at-home parent like you would any other job description.

Focus on any acquired skills and achievements during your time as a stay-at-home parent and emphasize skills relevant to the job you’re applying for.

For example, during your time as a stay-at-home parent, maybe you volunteered at a local community center, charity, or even at your kids’ school. Any time spent organizing activities, fundraising, or tutoring local children can count towards your work experience.

However, don’t list your parenting-related duties, such as feeding, bathing, or otherwise taking care of your children.

While parenting is a full-time job, that specific set of skills is best left out of your resume, unless you’re applying for a position that requires it. For example, a kindergarten teacher or babysitter might need to highlight those skills, but a data analyst or a fitness instructor wouldn’t.

#6. Use action verbs

You need to make your resume stand out from the crowd.

Don’t blend in with the other candidates by saying you were “responsible for” this or that you’re a  “team player”.

These phrases are too generic and you’re not doing yourself any favors.

Instead, use powerful action words to make your achievements and responsibilities pop.

Try using verbs like:

• Orchestrated
• Implemented

#7. Mention your education

Your education section might play a key role if your work experience is lacking.

You should always use a reverse-chronological structure when listing education on your resume . Describe your most recent degree first, and go further back.

You should only list your high school degree if you don’t have a higher education, otherwise, it’s irrelevant.

In any case, you want to list the following:

• Qualification type , including the degree level and full name of the program
• Institution name , and optionally the location, if it’s not well-known.
• Years studied , though can also use a month/year formula if you prefer.
• Optional information , such as GPA, Honours, Courses, and anything else you think is relevant to the job you’re applying for.

If you’re currently enrolled in a university, you can follow the same formula. Just specify your education is ongoing when adding the years.

#8. Highlight your skills

Parents have skills that can help them just as well outside of the home.

And no, we don’t mean getting your kids to eat their vegetables, though that’s also admirable.

When filling in the skills section on your resume, make sure to analyze the description of the job ad that caught your attention. You should always tailor your resume to the specific job and look for keywords you can use.

Then, compare your experiences and abilities to the ones listed in the job. By doing this right, you’ll show the recruiter you’re the exact candidate they’re looking for.

Here are some of the top soft skills that most parents need both at home and in the workplace:

• Interpersonal skills
• Conflict resolution
• Time management
• Teamwork skills
• Endurance (being able to work long hours)

If you’re applying for an industry you’ve never worked in before, focus on transferable skills.

For example, if you’re looking to work as a receptionist but you only have experience as a cashier, there are plenty of skills that crossover between the two jobs. Focus on your communication skills and cash register know-how.

#9. Add optional sections

Once you’re done filling in the essential sections, your resume might have some room left over.

Instead of leaving that as empty white space, consider adding optional sections.

Here are some suggestions:

• Languages. Whether you’re applying to a local retailer or a large corporation, knowing a foreign language is impressive and can always improve your chances of getting an interview. Just make sure you’re honest about your proficiency.
• Awards and certifications. If you’ve received any professional awards or taken courses or seminars that are relevant to the job, make sure to add them.
• Hobbies and interests. How you spend your free time can give the recruiter insight into who you are. Your hobbies and interests can show them you’re the right cultural fit for the company, so it’s worth considering adding this section to your resume.

#10. Attach a cover letter

Knowing how to write a cover letter is still an essential part of the job search in 2024.

Writing a convincing cover letter lets you expand on your skills and experiences, and it makes you a more memorable candidate to the recruiter.

Your cover letter should include:

• Your personal contact information.
• The hiring manager and/or company’s contact information.
• An opening paragraph referencing the exact position you’re applying for.
• The body of your cover letter, which lets you elaborate on your skills, achievements, and motivation to join this specific company.
• A closing paragraph that concludes the key points and a call to action.
• And a formal closing statement, such as “Kind regards” or “Sincerely”.

Feeling overwhelmed? Have no fear- you can use a professional resume template to create your resume and cover letter in under 5 minutes with tips and advice in real-time.

3 Interview Tips for Stay-at-Home Parents

One of the final steps in your job hunt is the interview process and as a stay-at-home parent looking to get back into the workforce, you may face some unique challenges.

The gap in your employment already puts you at a disadvantage, so once you get a job interview, you have to do some more heavy lifting to land the position.

Here are some tips to help you along the way:

#1. Prepare for job interviews

Job interviews can be nerve-racking even for the most seasoned professionals.

Preparation is crucial to ensure you present yourself well, and to help manage your nerves both before and during the interview.

By anticipating and practicing responses to the most common questions and answers , you give yourself an advantage in any interview.

During job interviews, employers will ask behavioral questions to determine how efficiently you can manage your time, resolve conflicts and handle multiple responsibilities at once.

As a parent, you have these skills in abundance. You need to articulate them clearly and in a way that shows they’re valuable in the workplace. Consider what your strengths and weaknesses are, and be prepared to discuss them.

Give yourself an advantage during the interview by researching the company you’re applying to beforehand. This way you can structure your answers around their core values and company culture.

The interview is also a great time to address your employment gap and explain in detail what you’ve learned during your time away from the workforce.

Don’t treat that period of your life as a hiccup in your career. Instead, be very clear and upfront about it, and use it to highlight your motivation for the job and why you want to work there .

• During my time as a stay-at-home mother, I realized how passionate I am about functional interior design.

Then, after the interview, be sure to a send follow-up message.

Hiring managers love a polite thank-you email . While it shows you’re a well-mannered candidate, it also gives them a reminder of why you’re suited to the job and reiterates your interest in it.

#2. Beware of uncomfortable questions

Unfortunately, stay-at-home parents are sometimes faced with bias in the workplace. Your devotion to your family or career may be put into question.

It’s not all too uncommon for interviewers to ask personal questions, such as:

• Are you sure you can handle the hours?
• Do you really have to work or are you just sick of being at home?
• Who takes care of your children?
• How can you let someone else raise your kids?

There are several ways to deal with these questions but the first and most crucial step is to remain calm.

You can always choose to answer the question directly.

• Yes, I am. We hired a babysitter and everything’s already planned out.

In any case, questions of this sort are unprofessional and you don’t have to answer them unless you want to.

You can ask the interviewer how the question relates to your job duties, and redirect them back to the discussion at hand.

• How do you find time to cook or clean?
• I don’t see how that’s related to the position of a financial analyst.

Whether an interview includes these types of questions or not will give you valuable insight into the company’s culture and the treatment of its employees. Learning this from the interview could spare you from quitting the job down the line.

#3. Learn to negotiate

You’ve been away from the job market for years.

You’re worried your skills might be rusty, and you just finished your first interview. The company extended a job offer to you, and you’re not sure if the next job interview will be so successful.

The only problem? The salary is too low.

Now is not the time to sell yourself short.

You’ve taken your time preparing to jump back into work, so take the extra step and learn how to negotiate your salary .

So long as you do so respectfully, there’s no harm in aiming for a better deal for yourself.

And if they don’t budge, you can decline the job offer and move on to your next interview.

Key Takeaways

And those are our tips for stay-at-home parents returning to work!

Hopefully, now you feel confident taking your first steps back into the workforce.

But before you apply the tips we gave you, let’s summarize the key points:

• Going back into the workplace after being a stay-at-home parent can take time but with the right approach and patience, it’s achievable.
• Look into the best job to suit your needs according to your availability, career goals, and your family’s needs.
• With careful planning and a thoughtful approach, you can get back into a routine that lets you find that delicate work-life balance.
• And if you ever feel overwhelmed, be sure to rely on the support of your loved ones or your local community.

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How to Write a Resume If You're a Stay at Home Mom

A guide by recruiters on how to write a successful stay-at-home mom resume in 2024, including a resume template you can download, resume samples and insights from recruiters.

3 years ago   •   10 min read

Being a stay at home mom can present unique challenges when you’re ready to go back into the workforce. Employers will notice a gap in your employment, and your skillset or certifications may be out of date.

Fortunately, it’s entirely possible to craft a resume that puts your best foot forward, particularly if you take some time to build on your current skills. Read on to find out what you should be including and what to leave out - and for some helpful tips to keep in mind as you get ready to look for a new position. Plus, we've also included a free resume template in Word or Google Docs format that you can use as a starting point.

A free stay at home mom resume template

Before we dive in to our recruiter perspectives, here's a sample resume for a stay-at-home mom or parent. Feel free to use it as inspiration as you write your own resume (download links below).

Download this free stay at home mom resume template: Google Drive | Microsoft Word

Mind your 'employment' gap

Do resume gaps matter? Sure — to some extent. Recruiters will want to know what's up with an employment gap, but it won't be prohibitive on its own. The key is to explain it, which is easily done when you're a stay at home mom (keep scrolling for detailed tips on how to do this).

Beyond the gap in your work with an employer, the most important thing to demonstrate to the hiring manager is that your skills are current. If you have done recent volunteer work, you should definitely include it. Freelance work that is related to the position you’re aiming at is also great to include.

If your skills aren’t current, read on to find out how to build your skills and add to your resume appropriately.

Read more: How to list gaps on a resume

How to list being a stay at home mom on a resume

If you want to include your work as a stay at home mom in your work experience, you should consider doing it in a format similar to this example:

Rather than “Growthsi” and the title below it, you could enter “Stay at home parent” (like in the following example), the dates of your time at home, and bulleted accomplishments along the lines of “Maintained a blog on parenting tips featuring 50+ articles averaging X page views” or “Created a 100+ member Facebook group providing support for stay at home parents” or how you’ve established and run an Etsy shop. Anything you include should be relevant to the job or position you’d like to apply for (with similar skills engaged).

Avoid including your stay-at-home mom experience as a 'work experience' or 'professional experience' — instead, like above, use an 'Other Experience' section title.

Read more: A stay at home mom's guide for getting back into the workforce

Building your skills while looking for a job as a stay at home parent

Just because you haven’t been with an employer for a while, you can still hone your skills, take courses, and potentially work on freelance projects during your job search. Each approach helps build your competency level in the eyes of hiring managers by demonstrating that you’re in touch with your skills.

One avenue to consider is looking for volunteer opportunities around your community. Non-profit organizations and parent/child-oriented groups are always looking for assistance with conducting outreach, fundraising, and holding events. If you’re interested in marketing, for example, helping to promote the Parent-Teacher Organization’s upcoming dance by creating and distributing flyers is definitely something you can include on your resume.

Read more: How to list volunteer work on your resume

Take a course

Depending on the field you’re interested in, it may help to look for relevant courses (either online or at nearby colleges). Some community colleges offer adult education courses to learn basic computer applications such as Microsoft Word, which will help with all kinds of office work. If you’re more advanced, you can look for courses in a wide variety of fields, from computer programming to graphics arts. If you have more time to invest, consider enrolling for a two-year degree if your field of interest would benefit from it.

Read more: How to list certifications on a resume (with examples)

Freelance work

Lastly, taking on relevant freelance projects (such as writing copy for online companies, conducting lawn or landscaping services, or programming simple applications) will give you experience and accomplishments that will highlight how you’ve kept your skills current.

Read more: How to list freelance work on your resume

Formatting Your Resume

For an easy and time-saving boost to formatting your resume, you can start with the template above or browse our ATS-ready resume templates . Pick one that appeals to your background and the position you’re applying for, and enter in the details as you go.

Resume header

Your resume header should include your full name, phone number, email address, location (state and country, not street address), and potentially your LinkedIn profile. An example is below:

You can optionally include the job title of the job you're applying to in your resume's header.

Read more: What to include in your resume header

Resume summary

Having a summary at the top of your resume is a great way to introduce yourself as someone who “worked in [X field] for [x] years before taking four years off to raise two children”, as an example. Your summary can also encompass any recent activities or projects you’ve started, such as by stating “ In that time, started a successful copywriting business with x clients ”, or “ started and maintained a babysitting business with x clients ”.

Read more: Resume summary generator

Work Experience

All of your work experience should follow the same style of format. Regardless of when you last worked, you’ll want to list your previous employers in reverse chronological order (with the most recent employers on top).

Each of your listed employers should be followed by a series of bullet-pointed accomplishments. Start the bullet points with strong action verbs that are related to skills you’ll be using in the position you’re going into, ideally. Whenever possible, include a numerical value (such as “improved sales by 10 percent over X years”) to help employers understand exactly how much of a difference you made.

For each of your work experiences, note the company or organization, your job title, and the dates you worked there. Usually, this means listing the month and year, though you can sometimes leave off the month and display only the year — what’s more important is that you’re consistent with how you format your dates within your resume.

Read more: How to list your work experience on your resume

If you graduated some time ago (8+ years ago) : Your education section should be short and underneath your work experience. In this case, just include your degree name and your school name. You can leave off your graduation year to avoid any unwarranted age discrimination — something that unfortunately happens in today's hiring landscape.

If you returned to school or you graduated recently: You should list your education at the top of your resume if you recently completed a degree (while being a stay at home mom). Include the name of the school, the degree you graduated with, and the program you graduated from. Depending on the type of degree you received and the position you’re planning to apply for, you may also wish to add in the most relevant courses that you took (such as “Data Analysis” or “Software Engineering”) if they include keywords that relate to the job you're applying to.

Read more: How to list your education on a resume

Resume skills section

If you have a sufficient number of technical skills, you should include a skills section on your resume. This could be placed at the right hand side of the page, or at the very bottom. The skills you list should be appropriate for the position you’re applying for. As an example, if you’re applying to be an office manager, you could list “QuickBooks”, “Microsoft Office”, or “Google Calendar” as your skills. If you’re going into graphic design, list the programs you’ve worked with before.

For all of your skills (in the summary, body of your resume, and skills bank) you should aim to include ones that align with your background and the job you’re applying for. Refer to this list of resume skills and keywords to get an idea of what hiring managers and automatic screeners are looking for.

Chances are, being a stay at home mom has given you a host of transferable skills (such as time management, communication skills, and follow-through). You should definitely work these into your resume if you can, but remember to not list them directly into your resume — e.g. don't mention 'time management' skills, but show how you have delivered a project that required strong time management .

Read more: How to write a resume skills section

What to Avoid

While it may be tempting, particularly if you manage a complex household or go above and beyond in your daily duties, you should refrain from listing “Head of Household” or “CEO of Household” in the body of your resume. No matter how elaborate your work in this role, claiming it as job experience means you risk signaling to the hiring manager that you hold your household to be equivalent in the scope of duties and level of accountability as you would a business.

Generally speaking, CEOs of businesses hold much greater responsibility (from the business’s perspective) than heads of households, and significantly more financial risk is involved.

With that said, if you have made a spreadsheet to manage your family’s finances, you can definitely include Microsoft Excel in your technical skills . You may also be able to work it into your cover letter to demonstrate your commitment to organization.

Optimize and Fine Tune Your Resume

Once you’re finished building the bones of your resume, you can use a few different tools to optimize it and make adjustments that will enable it to get past automatic screeners.

Get feedback on your stay-at-home parent resume

As a stay at home mom, you can write an effective resume by highlighting any volunteer work, online courses, freelance work you did while being a stay-at-home parent. You should also use your past work experience and stay at home experience to highlight your soft and transferable skills. Once you’re done writing your resume, upload it to the tool below — this AI-powered tool will analyze your resume, highlight any trouble spots, and make recommendations in a quick and easy process.

Tailor your stay-at-home parent resume

If you know the job you’re applying for, Targeted Resume is another free AI-powered tool that will enable you to tailor your resume to that specific position. The tool will assess your resume based on the job you’re applying for and let you know what skills you might be leaving out.

Another good way to quickly target your resume to the job you’re applying for, is by including relevant keywords on your resume. Use the tool below to get a list of keywords relevant to the job.

General Tips for Your Job Search

Going back to work after taking time to care for your family is a big step, but keeping these tips in mind can help make it easier.

Your personal network could be your biggest resource when looking for a job. As many as 80 percent of people have gotten a job through someone they know, meaning that it would behoove you to ask around among your acquaintances to see if anyone has heard of something in the field you’re looking for.

Use social media

If you don’t have a robust social network (as sometimes happens when your focus is fully on your children), don’t despair. Build your profile on LinkedIn (using similar techniques as you did with your resume) and start reaching out to people at companies you’d like to work for. Alternatively, consider attending in-person networking events with your local Chamber of Commerce or those hosted at businesses themselves.

Go at your own pace

Looking for a job at any point in life can be stressful, so remember to care for yourself as much as possible during the job search. Reconnect with your family with ample quality time, during the job search and once you’ve secured a position. It can take time to get the ball rolling, but once you get back into the field, the soft skills you gained as a mother are bound to serve you well!

• Career Advice

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Why networking is important and actionable steps to start today, how to write an opening statement for your resume + 10 examples, keep reading, how to show bilingualism on your resume (with examples), oops what to do if there’s a mistake on your resume, getting the basics right: resume line spacing, subscribe to our newsletter.

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How to Write a Resume as a Stay at Home Mom Returning to Work

Stay at Home Mom Resume| How to Write & Example | Resume.com

Staying at home to take care of your children is meaningful work that develops new skills and provides you with challenging experiences. However, it can be difficult to translate this onto a resume that will distinguish you as an ideal candidate once you decide to rejoin the workforce. This article explains why creating a stay-at-home mom resume is beneficial, lists steps for updating your resume when returning to work and provides a template and example that will help you craft your own resume.

Why is a stay-at-home mom resume useful?

After spending time out of work to care for your children, it can be difficult to leverage this as an applicable experience once you decide to return to work. Additionally, an employment gap can give employers the wrong impression and discredit your employability. A resume for a stay-at-home mom can help to reintroduce you into the job market and show a hiring manager that you have maintained your skills and experience as well as developed new ones while you were parenting.

How to create a stay at home mom resume

Here are some things to consider as you revise your resume as a stay at home mom:

1. First, consider adopting an alternative resume format

A majority of resumes are written in reverse chronological order, meaning that the most recent experience is listed towards the top of the page. Though that works well for those on a traditional career path where each position usually brings an increase in pay and responsibility, it is less effective for a stay at home mom because it can accentuate the employment gap. Fortunately, there are other options, such as a combination or functional resume, that emphasize your skills rather than your professional experience.

2. Second, craft a resume summary or objective

You can draw attention to your qualifications for the position you are applying for by including additional resume sections, such as a summary statement or an objective. These additions will consolidate your skills, experience and intent, giving hiring managers a clear picture of how you could be an asset to their team.

3. Third, incorporate volunteer roles

Serving as a stay-at-home parent usually allows for opportunities to work in a volunteer capacity with your child’s school or extracurricular activities. Though the work is unpaid, it can still be a wonderful way to showcase your skills and demonstrate that you still had applicable responsibilities during your employment gap. When describing your volunteer work, use action words and direct language, just as you would with past professional experiences. Make sure to highlight any accomplishments in these areas as well.

4. Fourth, mention any freelance work

Even though staying at home with the kids meant a break in full-time, salaried work, you may still have worked as a freelancer, temporary hire or contracted employee. It is beneficial to include any of this information on your resume. It will communicate that your skills are still intact and can fill the gap in your employment history.

5. Next, utilize your references

Providing references can be a great way to assure employers of your abilities despite being away from work for an extended amount of time. Make sure that the contact information is accurate and that the reference is willing to affirm your skills or experience.

6. Then, decide whether you should include your stay at home experience

There are many arguments both for and against including your experience as a stay-at-home mom on your resume. It can be beneficial if you are looking for a role that would benefit from this experience, such as teaching, but could be inapplicable in other industries. Ultimately, only you can decide whether you would like to include this experience on your resume.

7. Lastly, keep your stay at home experience relevant and professional

In many cases, a cover letter is a more appropriate place to explain your employment gap as a stay-at-home mom. However, if you do decide to include this information on your resume, focus on the details that are relevant to the position you are applying for.

Here are some guidelines to help keep your descriptions professional:

• Avoid giving the position a funny title
• Only include transferrable skills and responsibilities
• Avoid providing an exhaustive list of unrelated chores

Stay at home mom resume template

Here is a template to follow as you craft your own resume:

[First and last name]

[Phone number]

[Link to website or online portfolio]

Objective: [Strong, descriptive adjectives] [position] with [years of experience]. [Relevant accomplishments (optional)]. Seeks to use [relevant skills] as a [position] at [organization].

[Name of school], [Dates attended]

Professional Experience:

[Name of organization]

[Job title]

• [Bulleted list of achievements and responsibilities]

Volunteer Experience:

[Position], [Dates]

• [List of hard and soft skills that are relevant to the position being applied for]

Stay at home mom resume example

Here is an effective example of a resume for a stay at home mom who is rejoining the workforce:

Sarah Holliday

1234 Marigold Avenue, Seattle WA 98101

(555) 555-5555

[email protected]

SarahHolliday.com

Detail-oriented and tenacious writer with a Master of Arts degree in English and 7+ years of experience seeking to utilize language and communication skills as an editor for Creative Solutions.

M.A. in English from the University of Portland, August 2011 – May 2013

B.A. English from the University of Portland, August 2006 – May 2010

Professional Experience

ACME Enterprises

Lead Content Writer

August 2016 – January 2018

• Led a team of six writers who were responsible for developing the company’s web page content including home pages, customer-facing advertising and blog pages
• Performed quarterly performance management evaluations of three writers, sharing the responsibility of performance evaluation with the senior editor and the publisher

Quorum Publishing

May 2013 – July 2016

• Edited manuscripts for science white papers in the areas of chemistry, pharmacology, genetics and medicine
• Led the content editor team, supervising two other content editors and their work, which involved handling the last round of edits and providing feedback
• Reported on their work in quarterly performance management evaluations to the senior editor
• Evaluated manuscript submissions and worked with writers to help them improve their ideas and thesis
• Took the lead in developing style standards for the content management team based on AP Style

Tomorrow Publications

Copy Editor

January 2011 – April 2013

• Reviewed and corrected manuscripts to improve accuracy and readability using AP Style for manuscripts
• Corrected manuscripts for errors, omissions, inconsistencies and repetition of text and words
• Checked manuscripts for caption errors and graphics for consistency with the narrative and text of the manuscripts
• Work with UX web team to create web page content in support of marketing materials

Idlewise Press

Proofreader

June 2010 – March 2011

• Proofread and fact-checked manuscripts about open source technology and emerging technologies in artificial intelligence
• Reported errors to the lead editor
• Collaborated with editing team to ensure accurate and consistent quality of work involving graphic design and text

Volunteer Experience

Hillsdale Preschool Board

Volunteer Secretary

August 2019 – Present

• Record meeting notes and read the current report at the beginning of each board meeting
• Keep track of votes on board issues and report these at board meetings as part of meeting notes
• Serve as a liaison between board members to update information or correct errors in meeting notes
• Report amended information or correction of errors during board meetings
• Maintain diaries and logs of meetings
• Manage meeting schedules and appointments, specifically for the board president and vice president

Hillsdale Preschool

Newsletter Writer

May 2019 – Present

• Manage and write content for the Hillsdale preschool website and newsletter paper version using AP Style for all articles
• Manage and maintain the newspaper advertising budget
• Meet with local advertisers to secure funding for the preschool newsletter

Skills 

• Technical writing
• Proofreading/editing
• Communication
• Microsoft Office

If you need help writing a resume, use our data-backed resume builder .