How to Handle the “Motherhood” Gap On Your Resume
Explaining a gap in your employment history can be a difficult and tricky task, no matter what the reason behind it. The so-called “Motherhood Gap” is perhaps one of the most daunting for job seekers who have taken time off to spend time with and/or raise a family, and are now trying to re-enter the professional world. Depending on the field or industry, there can be a lot of push back against mothers (or fathers!) who have put their career on hold to concentrate on their families.
If you have already gone through your employment gap, and you are now trying to re-enter the working world, there are several things you can (and should) do to make the best of your situation. First off, you need to make sure your resume is updated, polished, and really showcases your skills in relation to whatever field you are getting back into. (There are several ways to try to mask employment gaps on resumes, but it is important not to embellish or misrepresent the truth.) Next, you need to make sure you can explain what you did during your “time off”. Did you volunteer? Did you help with a family business or assist with a spouse’s or friend’s business? If not, can you add something on your resume that describes some of your parental duties in a professional way? For instance, describing your ability to “Effectively create and execute weekly and monthly budgets for a small team, consistently seeking out new ways to decrease spending and get maximum benefit from all resources” – which is basically a really nice, professional way of saying you were in charge of the family shopping.
If you’re in a position where you are considering taking time off to have children or raise a family, here are some things to think about. As I mentioned above, volunteering or assisting with a family or friend’s business can be a great way to keep recent experience on your resume, while still being a stay-at-home-parent. And your volunteering doesn’t have to be away from your family – you can volunteer at your child’s school, PTA, daycare, play center, etc. Also consider staying current in your industry by taking Professional Development courses or seminars related to your field. Those are great to put on a resume to show that you have continued keeping your skills up and are ready to dive right back in!
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