How to Keep Your Resume Current as a Stay-At-Home-Mom

Have you made the decision to stay at home with your children but are worried about the consequences if and when you decide to return to the workforce? Follow these steps to keeping your resume current as a stay-at-home-mom.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. VOLUNTEER WISELY
   
   Most stay-at-home moms find that a multitude of volunteer opportunities come their way. Choose wisely when selecting the volunteer opportunities you take on.
   
   If possible, match volunteer opportunities to your past work experience or the field you plan to enter when you return to work. Some examples:
   
   Accounting - Volunteer to be the treasurer of an organization.
   Sales - Head up a fundraising effort and measure your results.
   Management - Run for an office or sit on a board.
   Administration - Handle the administrative tasks of an organization or event.

2. EDUCATION
   
   Staying at home with your children might be the perfect time to return to school. Become a part-time student and get your undergraduate or graduate degree.
   
   If a full-fledged degree is not in the cards, consider continuing education. Many opportunities exist, both on the internet and in a traditional classroom. These can make wonderful additions to your resume.
   
   Finally, if you're in a field that requires education to keep your certification in force (insurance, law, nursing, education, etc.), make sure to fulfill all requirements in a timely manner.

3. PART-TIME WORK
   
   At some point, you may want to consider returning to work on a part-time basis. Stay in touch with former colleagues and others who might be able to lead you to viable part-time opportunities.

4. TEMPORARY WORK
   
   Similar to part-time work, a temporary stint might be something you want to consider. Maybe it is filling in for a former co-worker on leave or substitute teaching. An accountant might want to consider working only during tax season.
   
   A temporary assignment might be ways to keep your resume current without sacrificing your primarily stay-at-home role.

5. RESEARCH AND WRITE
   
   Keep up with what is going on in your field and demonstrate your expertise by submitting articles to online and/or print publications. A future employer will see that, while there may be a gap in your work experience, you haven't taken yourself completely out of the loop.

Tips & Warnings

• Whatever paths you pursue, be sure to keep good records and to keep your resume updated at all times. It's easier to update a resume when you have just completed a class or a relevant volunteer opportunity than trying to recreate that experience years down the road.

[Susanh]

on 11/18/2008 Hi Julie,
Your ideas are all right on the money. Continuing education doesn't have to be expensive either. Our local library often offers free classes on computer skills, digital photography, writing, and other skills that might help someone stay abreast of what is going on in their specific field. Thanks for the great ideas!

[slphilbrick]

on 11/17/2008 Julie, it's so important to keep up with your resume' and skills and training. It all becomes obsolete once you leave the working world very quickly ! 5*