yourCAREER By Jennifer Anthony
Crafting the Perfect Resume So you’ve been in the ‘mom market’ for a while. No worries. Here’s how to get your (high-heeled) foot back in the door.
If you have spent the past few years pretending to be an airplane to get your little ones to eat a spoonful of food, you’ll need to put that behind you — at least while you are revamping your resume. Do not attempt to make your resume stand out by using a cutesy font or placing teddy bear clipart in the corners. Likewise, check the e-mail address that you are using. Your friends may know you as “Mommyto5WildPonies,” but your future employer probably will not find it so endearing. If you don’t have a professional e-mail address, sign up for one at a free site such as Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail.
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You Can’t Fool Anyone
Every stay-at-home mom knows that mothering is the hardest job you will ever love. Moms wear many hats: chauffeur, nurse, psychologist, personal chef, housecleaner, financial planner, and the list goes on. Even though all of those descriptions are accurate, do not attempt to add any of these titles to your resume. Similarly, do not refer to yourself as a “Household Engineer,” because this will backfire and make you appear less desirable. The best way to address the fact that you’ve been on the mommy track is to write a one-line explanation directly in the resume, such as “Took time away from career path to raise a family.” You might also consider writing that you took time off to care for a dependent family member to avoid pegging yourself as a mom right away.
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Don’t Sell Yourself Short
While it’s not a good idea to elaborate upon the details of homemaking, don’t forget to mention any volunteer 24
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Be as specific as possible when updating your resume.
work you have been involved in. Just because you didn’t receive paid compensation for your work doesn’t make the experience less valuable. When listing volunteer activities on a resume, list them the same way as you would a paid position. If you took any online courses, be sure to list your continuing education to demonstrate that your skills are fresh and not outdated. Did you organize any charity dinners, or were you active in your homeowner’s association? Leadership roles and any other activities you may have been doing to keep your skills marketable and up-to-date should be included as well.
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You Can’t Be All Things To All People
If you have been out of work for some time, you may be willing to take any job. However, don’t allow this energy to come through in your resume. Think about exactly what position you are applying for, and what skills you should highlight. Use words in your resume that relate specifically to the industry that you are hoping to enter and to the position you are applying to. Be as specific as possible.
A Role Mommy Magazine l Holiday 2010
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Send a Killer Cover Letter
A cover letter demonstrates that you understand common business etiquette. It is also another opportunity to shine. As with your resume, be specific. Include the name of the position you are applying for and where you saw the position advertised. Mention that you are returning to the field after a hiatus, and that you are eager to jump in to the working world again. Don’t be apologetic -- just state the facts. ■
Jennifer Anthony
JenniferAnthony.Wordpress.com Jennifer Anthony has been creating interview-winning resumes since 1999 and in the process has become one of the most soughtafter resume writers in North America. She has authored more than 600 resumes for clients ranging from entry-level employees to high-level executives.
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Be Professional