SAHM Gap in Resume - How Do You 'List' the Time You Stayed Home

Hi There, I landed a great job after 1 1/2 years off and simply put the dates with "Family Commitment". They will ask if they are interested and it will NOT be an issue.

Good Luck!
E.

Yes, you need to list it! Employers don't like to see unaccounted for gaps on a resume! Its fine to put Stay At Home Mom/Parent, Child rearing, Extended Maternity Leave (though that implies you intend to go back to your previous employer), or something of that sort. I would stay away from "homemaker". And, be sure to list it like you would any of your other positions, with ALL of the responsibilities and duties and how that will translate to your work. For example, as a Mom you learn a whole new set of negotiating and managing skills, you learn teaching skills, patience, the power of persuasion, time management, multi-tasking, prioritizing, delegating, and the list goes on! Did you start being responsible for the bills and/or budget once you became a SAHM? Put down the ones that will help you in your field and why it will help you. I wouldn't list every little thing you do as a Mom, that would mean you'd be writing a book! Just pick a few that are relevant to your career, and be sure to put why they are relevant and how it will make you better as an employee!

Good luck!!
S. B.
____@____.com

Hi L., I've listed below a few websites that may help you.

I've been at home for nearly 11 years now. I don't plan to go back to work for anyone else ever if I can help it. However, my youngest is now 4 and I may look at going to work when he is in 1rst grade if my business isn't bringing in the income that I desire.

I would highly reccommend that while you are an at home mom, you get involved in some type of volunteer work, no matter how small. In fact, I would tell you from my own experience, don't overdo the volunteer work, but do something that keeps you on your toes. If there is something in your field that you can do as a consultant or volunteer, try to do that if you can, but not if it takes too much time away from your children; the reason you are at home in the first place.

I hope this helps you. Good luck in whatever your endeavors.

http://www.careerknowhow.com/guidance/sahm-work.htm

http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/resume-tips/index...

I agree that I wouldn't list it unless I was asked about it (if you're seriously being considered, they WILL ask about it!)

I work in a recruiting function and we don't like to see anything that could be used as discrimination (let's face it, sometimes employers worry about our loyalty to a job if we've got kids) so we can never be accused of not interviewing or hiring a candidate simply because she was a mom. On the other hand - you don't want to be discriminated against before you even get a chance to meet face to face because some jerk decided you weren't a good fit because you had kids and were a stay at home mom once (and might want to be again).

Good luck! I need to do the same!

You don't have to list it on your resume.
Just the employer and experience.

But when you are in the interview you can let them know you were off for maternity. I had a break bewteen jobs and took a year off and they had no problem.

L.,
As an employer, and a mom, this is what I love to see on a resume. "Mom" listed with all the things that are done in a day. Therefore you are not questioned about the GAP, the first thing i look for is going to be a gap, then i want to know exactly what the gap is for! Good luck in finding a job when your ready!

Hi L.,

I have a huge gap in my resume, but I went ahead and listed all of my volunteer work that I have done since having my child. I have served on several committees and volunteered alot of my time w/organizations.

If you have done any of that sort of thing, that is great to put on your resume where you work history might be especially if it has been a while. If it hasn't, then I would add it at the end of my resume just to let them know why the gap is there.

Good Luck!

G. B.

I think it's an excellent idea to have your resume updated and ready should you choose to re-enter the work force!

I have weird gaps in my employment history because my husband kept getting transferred - and I agonized over what to do on resume...a headhunter solved it for me nicely - when listing employment dates, simply leave off the month and only list years. (so instead of listing your last job as 1/2004 - 8/2006, simply put 2004-2006. And you never need to list on your resume why you left a job - it's unnecessary and irrelevant until asked)

As other posters said, when you get far enough into the interview process, you can talk about it, but if you're blindly sending your resume, and the HR screener has 200+ to screen, she will look for anything to help narrow the pile, and gaps in employment are one way to do it (as a former HR Manager, this is exactly what I did on numerous occasions)

So - if you list only years, there is usually not a glaring gap. I would avoid listing anything on your resume that identifies you as a mom in any way. Not because that's a negative, but you do not have any idea who the screener is - it could be someone who isn't a mom and has a chip on her shoulder about moms taking time off for sick kids, etc. She will screen out your resume without even understanding her own bias - it will just be an automatic response. You want your resume to be screened solely on your work history, not your name, your address, your marital status, your parenting status, etc.

The goal of a resume (and excellent cover letter) is to get past the screener and get an interview. That's it. The interview (phone screen or in person) is where you will start to emerge as a candidate for the job, not the resume. A resume will never land you a job. So just keep that in mind and in the meantime, enjoy your job as personal assistant to two high-demanding girls! (that's how I think of myself...just a personal assistant to a dictator. Ha!)

Good luck!

S.

I don't think you should list it. If the gap in dates bother them, they will ask. Then you could tell them you took some time off to raise your family.

I recently got a new job after 11 years at home and wrote "Homemaker and full time parent" with specifics about being a mom's room at school.

Maternity leave is good too.

Stay at home mom.

Good luck!

I would keep it simple and just say, "maternity leave."

Hope this helps