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Advice for Moms Re-Entering Workforce
Submitted by JWeis on Fri, 01/08/2010 - 12:53pm.
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After 8 years of family rearing, Allison (the manager of our home enterprise) is looking to re-enter the workforce.
We are asking everyone, particularly Moms, for advice. "What top three actions would you recommend to a Mom re-entering the workforce after several years at home?"
So far, Allison has written several variations to her resume. The "Objective" and "Summary" statements are getting the most attention. She doesn't want to restrict her opportunities to Education (where she is trained and experienced).
Prior to raising our outrageous kids, Allison was teaching HS in Fairfax County, Virginia. Prior to that, graduate studies in Education at George Washington.
Of course the professional and academic experiences have a defined place on resumes. What about the non-professional stuff, like raising kids (not like cigar-smoking clubs) ... Does that have a place on a resume?
Mom's have a unique perspective in the workplace. Moms are typically the calmest during workplace storms. They are adept at things like process optimization, scheduling, triage, crisis management and often carry extra cough drops and kleenex. Would it be disingenuous to list these as skills on her resume?
I'll leave it at that and see where this thread goes.
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Regarding the non-professional stuff (which is debatable -- our kids often cause my wife to become a professional mediator at times), I think there's a case for making it a de facto job. The management of other [potentially immature] people while juggling a variety of daily and often conflicting activities ought to account for a management line item on the resume.
I'm not a resume writer, so this is just my opinion: I wonder if a line as "Domestic Manager" with a tongue-in-cheek description of daily management duties could provide a bit of lighthearted humor to the resume, and give the reviewer a sense of the personal side of Allison.
Remember: the object of a resume or CV is to get you the interview and nothing more. It will be up to Allison to get the job (if she wants it).
List skills and how you can use those skills to solve a potential problem. Taking off to raise kids is not so bad any more. If she helped with school or non-profits or fund raisers or any organized activities on a regular basis, that counts for a lot (even if she is not getting paid for it).
I do a lot with Scouting, and that is NOT a paid gig, but the skills I use their and the contacts I have made are invaluable.
Matt and Jeteye.
You give feedback that is fulfilling to read. Allison and I were encouraged. You're points are supported by others we've talked to.
There are many sites that provide insight and guidance to Mom's re-entering workforce. If anyone is interested, I'll post the links.
Jeteye's point on the main purpose of a resume is accurate, it "is to get the interview". Although, there are some good secondary purposes of a resume including i.) summary and objective definition, ii.) customizable marketing tool, and iii.) an nice elevator pitch. There're more, but the main reason is to get the interview.
During my career, I reviewed hundreds of resumes. Mainly, I was looking for signs of life or some type of personalization.
Here is a "tongue-in-cheek" representation of my role in the family. It's on my FB profile (didn't think appropriate for linkedin):
Employer: Wei5 Foundation
Position: Vice President
Time Period: June 1998 - Present
Location: Austin, TX
Description: Supported site operations and logistics for President (Mrs. Allison Weis). Responsible for organization wide discipline initiative including design, implementation and quality assurance. Formerly CFO, but lost position due to financial insolvency and fiduciary spelling errors. Chief Custodial Officer responsible for managing floor sweeper (roomba), washing children and general dish cleaning and putting away. Big idea man with little implementation skills.
Glad I was able to add a little be of assistance!
I was so glad to see this blog especially today after finally committing to a Linkedin profile with my stay-at-home years mentioned in my summary. Also glad for a chance to connect with a fellow career relauncher if Allison is interested.
I can totally relate to the challenge in writing the resume objective and summary. The profile I've used before today had always started with my last job that I left in 1998. After some feedback from a resume expert and a few other folks, they pointed out that they were left wondering about my "missing years". Even though I would explain it in person, they said that most reviewers probably would not take the extra time to contact me and ask me about it.
A book that I found really helpful with the same questions you asked is "Back on the Career Track: A guide for stay-at-home moms who want to return to work" by Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin. There is not one right answer because of all the different circumstances and levels of comfort in sharing. But the book does offer lots of advice and resources.
What a great discussion! Here's the actions I would suggest:
1 - Truly own who you are. By that I mean recognize your value, the ways you are able to contribute and what you can offer a future employer. Be direct about your past - you were fortunate to be in a financial situation that allowed you to raise your kids the way you wanted to.
2 - Recognize all you do have and use tools available to you like LinkedIn. The contacts and connections you've made while at home with your children are invaluable. Get on LinkedIn (if you aren't) and connect with everyone you know. Build your online presence so you can be more easily found.
3 - Be curious. Talk with people and look online and learn more about what most interests you. Use local resources like Launch Pad Job Club. Use this time to learn and increase your value to a potential employer.
Probably most important - have FUN! It's exciting to move into a different phase of your life. Yes, it can be scary too, or many other emotions, but - the more fun it is, the more you know you're on the right track!
Please feel free to connect with me (I also chose to be home with my kids and I'd love to support you!) on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karenoneal
Best of luck to you Allison!
Though I am not a mom, I loved reading your views. My best wishes to Allison, and all the moms out there who are making their way back to the workforce.
Hey Folks.
You are great. Can't find any other way to say it. Allison and I have been encouraged by your support. Very touched by your insights.
It appears that I am gonna be staying at home for the short term. We've always hoped that one of us could be at home during the very awkward middle school years. Guess it's me.
Allison is on her way back to "rocking" the educational world. In part, this is due to Door64. So thanks.
Give your MOM a hug this May. A big hug.
J