Diving Back into the Job Market

Don't explain the last 18 months at all on your resume. A resume is to show the accomplishments you've had in your field, and your skills and education.

For an interview, prepare a one sentence response to any question about what you've done for the last 18 months. Do not apologize a bit and do not say that you are back in the job search because your husband lost his job. "I took time to be at home for family reasons but I am now ready and excited to be back in a professional position and contributing to an organization."

Most interviews will require formal business attire even if the office is normally business casual. I go to interviews in a black pant-suit with a nice blouse and shined shoes, restrained jewelry. Business casual means you can take off the jacket or substitute a sweater, and maybe be a little more creative with shoes/ boots and jewelry and accessories. Different companies have different expectations when it comes to business casual, so I wouldn't do much shopping before you land a position and see what others are wearing.

18 months out of the "workforce" does not go on a resume. It may be required on an application and MOM is perfectly acceptable. Dress as best as you can. PR/Marketing you need a suit. Borrow from a friend or hit the second hand store until you get THE job if you do not have one already. Prep your family be getting into a good routine. Do all of your homework for childcare if applicable before you get your job so it is not as hectic when you need too. Good luck!

I am in the same boat, well at least drifting on the same seas of re-entering the workforce.

I see nothing wrong with saying that you were a SAHM for the past 18 months. You don't mention this on the resume at all.

If asked during an interview, then so be it. "I was a stay at home mom to my toddler." Boom, nothing more, nothing less.

As for attire: I say go formal. It will give you confidence and that professional feel. Dang, when I dress for an interview, I feel INCREDIBLE!

Prepation for the change? I think landing a job will allow you to process the change more. If you're doing daycare you can talk it up as something fun and the positivies of going to "school" and having playmates!

Good luck.

I am always amazed at SAHM moms wondering why they feel they have to explain what they were doing. YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING A LOT.
Tell them that. If they don't understand that then you don't want the job, because you are still going to be working a lot.

You might do a search on types of resumes that will work for you. I think a functional one fits here as it focuses on skills and accomplishments and not employment history. I like Sue W's suggestion for a one sentence response. During the interview, if the gap in employment comes up, you can discuss any skills you maintained by doing x, y and z, or maybe you gained a new skill. Good luck to you!

I think Sue W. said it best.

I'll add, have a suit (you can buy one at a thrift store) for an interview!
Even if a place of employment states it is business casual you never
show up in that for an interview. You dress to GET the job and once you are hired you can dress FOR the job as they stipulate. Your first
impression is everything & you can't re-do it. Always be professional, in
attire, speech & how you carry yourself.

For example, you would never buy a black & white striped shirt to interview for a referee job. That is their uniform. You dress nicely. You don't wear a red & white shirt w/suspenders for a waitressing job at TGIF.
That is their uniform. So.......always dress nice for an interview.

As far as how to prepare yourself & your family for the upcoming changes
-talk to them about it. Let them know you're going back to work so there
will be some preparations to offset not being home
-have a loosely laid plan, in your head, of how you want to "run" things (lunches made & clothes laid out night before, easy pre-made dinners to
throw together etc.).

-I would leave the past 18 months off of your resume until you are in front of the employer.
-Try to keep your resume to one page if at all possible

"Leave of absence" is what I call it, not on my resume but when asked. More generic than telling them you were home with kids, which may lead to concern about potential childcare issues. And you can add, "that's why I'm available now for this position."