Returning to work after a long break is daunting, right? How do you show your ability to do your dream job, without any recent experience?
That’s where I come in!
This article explains how to write a CV showcasing the many transferable skills you have developed as a parent. You will discover skills you don’t realise you have and understand the value these have in the modern workplace.
Addressing The Career Gap
But what about the career gap? Won’t that worry employers?
Honestly, it depends how you frame it.
Firstly, don’t try to hide it. It is likely that employers will notice and have concerns about why you are trying to hide it.
Instead, own it. Briefly mention the reason for the ‘career gap’ and highlight skills you developed or knowledge you gained as a result.
For example:
Career Gap – Parental responsibility (June 2023 – present)
Developed adaptability, problem-solving and prioritisation skills, while managing a busy household and raising young children.
This demonstrates honesty in the reason for the career break and showcases the skills you developed.
You can find more information about explaining a career break here.
Identifying Your Transferable Skills
Returning to work as a parent might feel like a big change. But when it boils down to it, you will be using a lot of the same skills in your new role.
Here are a few examples of key parenting skills that are valuable in any workplace.
Time Management: Juggling naptimes, play dates, and school runs is no mean feat. You need well-honed time management skills to keep on top of that!
Multitasking: Making snacks, picking up toys, singing nursery rhymes, breaking up arguments…the list goes on. This is just a snapshot of the activities you might be juggling in any 5-minute period. The ability to multitask is an essential skill for any parent.
Problem-solving: Does this take much explanation?! As a parent, you are Chief Problem Solver and need to think quickly and creatively at every turn.
Communication: From negotiating with toddlers to emailing class teachers, good communication is essential.
Do you get the idea? You might think you are ‘just being a parent’, but that is probably one of the hardest jobs you’ll ever have.
You are developing excellent transferable skills that make you invaluable to employers. You just need to remember to showcase them on your CV!
How to Write a CV That Highlights Transferable Skills
The key to showcasing your transferable skills is to focus on what you bring, not what you might think you lack.
Personal Profile
Start with a strong opening sentence, establishing your value from the outset.
For example:
Proactive and organised professional returning to the workforce after a career break. Experienced in coordinating projects, managing conflicting priorities, and creatively solving problems…
Skills
Focus on 5 or 6 skills that are most relevant to the types of jobs you are interested in.
Use bullet points to keep this section short and impactful. Demonstrate how you gained each skill. Your examples can be from your career break or your previous work experience.
Work Experience
Include the dates of your career break in your Work Experience section.
Briefly mention the reason for the career break and any key projects or achievements you completed.
As a parent returning to work, be bold about including your achievements from this time. This can also include any volunteering or self-development you have undertaken.
The important thing is to frame it in a professional way, highlighting the relevant details.
For instance, instead of ‘Helped at child’s school’, you could say, ‘Project managed school fundraising events for up to 200 people, with responsibility for £5k budget annually.
If you’re looking for more tips on framing your achievements in an effective CV, you can find blogs about this here.
Confidence Tips for Parents Returning To Work
Even with a sparkly new CV, it is normal to feel nervous as a parent returning to work.
Here are a few practical tips to help boost your confidence as you start applying for new roles:
- Practice talking about your skills and achievements OUT LOUD. I know you might feel a bit self-conscious, but rehearsing your interview answers will give you a confidence boost.
- Remind yourself of your key achievements. As you tailor your CV, take a moment to recognise the impact you have made during your career break.
- Don’t undersell yourself. If you find yourself describing your experience with words like ‘just’ or ‘only’ then STOP. Your skills are valuable, and you’ve gained real world experience outside a formal workplace.
Returning To Work
Exchanging your ‘full-time parent’ title for ‘valuable employee’ might feel like a big jump. However, with the right CV it is easy to show employers the range of skills and experience you can bring to the role.
If you are a parent returning to work and need some one-to-one support, I’m happy to help.
You can find details of my services here and book a call below.
The next step in your career awaits…