How to Build a Resume for a Homemaker
Looking for work can be a challenge for anyone, but that challenge becomes greater if you have been absent from the work force for several years to take care of your home and family. However, the duties of a homemaker are numerous and should not be undervalued. Many of them can be parlayed into the work force, and being able to effectively communicate this to employers is your first step to getting your foot in the door. Building a resume that will highlight your key skills, experience and qualifications is a matter of creative thinking and wise organization.
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Instructions
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Create a list of all the duties you have been responsible for while taking care of your home and family. Be thorough and creative. Examples may include household budgeting, paying bills, purchasing all food and supplies, organizing daily and weekly schedules, leadership experience, scheduling trips and vacations, corresponding with other family members via email, transportation of others, counseling of others and selecting professionals to address household repairs.
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Locate your previous work history and volunteer experience. Type a list or use a previous resume to gather all the details of your responsibilities and experience.
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Type your contact information at the top of your resume, and choose a font size that will stand out without being too large. For example, if the body of your resume is size 12 font, choose a size or two larger for your contact information. List your name, address, phone number and email address.
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Type a Personal Statement just below your contact information. Include several short phrases that describe you professionally. Tailor it to the job you are applying for. For example, if applying for a clerical position, you may write, "Administrative professional with 15 years of combined experience working both on-site and in a home environment. Recognized by others for organizational and leadership skills." Add several bullet points below that to further expand upon your overall qualifications.
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Organize your experience and skills by skill sets instead of listing them chronologically by job. For example, if you have computer skills, include past work experience as well as how you have used and developed these skills by working with family budget spreadsheets or volunteering to type documents for a community organization you are involved with. List each skill set as a separate heading on your resume. This method of organizing a resume, often referred to as a "functional" format, draws attention away from gaps in your work force history and brings immediate attention to the skills you can offer an employer. Add your education or relevant courses, as well as any volunteer work.
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Proofread your resume carefully, and ask for another's opinion before sending it to employers.
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Make copies on heavy stock resume paper so you are prepared to hand your resume out to employers. Appearance is important, as your resume is often the first contact you will have with an employer, and you want to make a good first impression.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep a separate chronological resume for your own reference purposes. An employer may ask for this information when you apply or interview, so it is important to have it available. You may also consider adding a short "Work History" section at the end of your functional resume to include this information.
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Resources
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