If you’re a mum returning to the workforce after taking some time off, figuring out what to include on your CV can be tough. While you don’t want to leave out any important information, you also don’t want to make it seem like you’ve been inactive since being on maternity leave. Here are a few things to remember when writing your CV as a working mum to help you stand out when applying for your next role.
Fill the ‘gap’
Throughout our careers, we’ve been warned against leaving a dreaded employment gap on our CVs. If you’ve taken time off work and can’t justify it, it can affect your chances of success in your application. But there are a few ways to fill this gap if you have taken time off work.
For example, have you taken on freelance work or been working on another project? Perhaps you’ve even developed your skills and knowledge through some online training. Of course, professional commitments will not be your priority at this time in your life, but if you have found the time to explore any new projects, then be sure to add these to your CV.
Alternatively, you could consider changing the format of your CV. If you don’t want to go into details about any time you’ve spent away from work, you can always veer away from the traditional format where you outline your previous roles in reverse chronological order and instead use a functional format where you focus on your abilities and achievements.
Should you include parenting skills?
As a parent, you learn unique skills that can be extremely valuable in the workplace. From managing a budget to coordinating schedules, parenting requires significant organisation and planning. Beyond this, parents will also naturally develop their communication and problem-solving skills during this time. These can all easily be transferred to the workplace, and employers will want to hear about them and how you feel they can be applied to the role.
You could even take it one step further and discuss how your abilities have helped you to succeed in previous roles. For example, mention in your CV if you’ve successfully juggled work and family commitments. Doing so will give employers a better understanding of your capabilities and how you could contribute to their organisation.
It’s important to only mention any skills you feel you’ve developed that can apply to a workplace – avoid focusing on any unnecessary traits that aren’t relevant to the role or company.
Keep your CV up to date
It’s always good practice to keep your CV up to date, but it’s easy for this simple task to slip down your list of priorities when other things start to take precedence. Here are some ways to ensure your CV is accurate and ready for use.
- Review your CV regularly. At least once a year, take time to review your CV and update it with your latest experience and skills, even if you haven’t changed roles.
- Highlight your most recent experience. When employers look at your CV, they will be most interested in your most recent experience—make sure this information is prominently featured.
- Use keywords. When employers review CVs, they’ll often scan the document for keywords related to the position they are trying to fill or even use software to do it for them. Ensure your CV includes relevant keywords to make you more likely to stand out in these searches.
For more top tips on how to write a great CV, check out our blog post, How to Write A Great CV in Six Easy Steps, here.
And if you’re looking for a part-time or work-from-home job, our guide, Navigating the Job Market as a Working Parent: How to Find the Perfect Part-Time or Remote Role, is for you. Read it here.