SO, YOUR RESUME NEEDS SOME ATTENTION?
Ok, Mom, you’re ready to get back to work? Looking for a new job? Or just need an update on your current resume? Take a deep breath.
First and foremost, as a mom, what you’re doing is work and don’t let anybody tell you differently. Now, professionally speaking–I get it, and please feel free to reach out for help on your CV. I come from a place of starting my own business out of college with nothing to going corporate to having a baby and back into startup business… now what? Oh, and my husband and I are venturing into opening a business. Let’s take it step by step.
WHERE TO BEGIN
There a million sites with a million templates you can follow but you may overwhelm yourself. So, sit down, pull out a pen and paper and let’s try this old school shall we?
1. Start by making a list of what you’re good at.
Even if that includes baking cookies and typing fast for instance. Try to hit at least 20 points. I know you’re good at over 100 things, this isn’t the time to be modest, so WRITE IT DOWN this is your time to shine. Also, these are called transferable skills–which by definition is an ability or expertise which may be used in a variety of roles or occupations; for example communication, problem-solving, and self-control. Ok, you get it right? You definitely master those skills as a mom.
2. Consider the job you want. Part-time, full-time, executive, retail, etc.
Now go back through that list reviewing what you’ve written down and cross out anything that may not be professionally relevant to a hiring manager. We are all impressed that you can change a diaper with one hand in under 30 seconds but let’s leave that out for now. Your resume is now beginning to take shape believe it or not.
3. Next, let’s edit and revise those leftover bullets.
This is where ‘transferable skills’ will come into play. For example, if you have one or more toddlers, let’s go ahead and say you have any of the above: organization skills, leadership qualities, great communication, time management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. You didn’t know you were that amazing did you? There is no denying it takes those things to run your household, and many managers may actually lack that skill placing you one step ahead!
4. Go online, Indeed and LinkedIn are great places to start.
Research the title of a job you’d like, ie: marketing manager. Look at a few jobs and compare their job description bullet points to your bullet points. Do they match up?
5. Once you have your outline, it starts coming together and there is one more beast you’ll have to tackle.
Although, you’ve overcome sleep regression right? So this is nothing. Nowadays companies use ATS (applicant tracking systems) to filter resumes. Rarely does an HR manager now sit and read through stacks of resumes. Most HR managers use this system which filters resumes through their setup keywords. All you need to do is make sure your profile hits all these words. When it comes time to start applying, you’ll want to edit your resume each time according to the job.
6. A great reference point is jobscan.com.
There you can copy/paste your resume and the job description and it will show you a score. Usually, an 80% or higher match is a good sign that your resume will make it through. It will give you terms and phrases that you might be missing. As a result, all you have to do is edit accordingly.
You got this! Here is some inspo for you on setting and crushing your goals in 2020.
MAIN STEP: DON’T STRESS
The main thing here: do not overwhelm yourself, take it day by day. Momlife is rough and in the event that your mind just isn’t in it, cutaway and come back to it. Here are some other tips:
- Ask a friend. If motherhood has taught us anything, it’s to ask for help. Sometimes a friend or someone we trust can shed light on something we may not know about ourselves.
- Do the research. Although it sounds pretty basic, don’t be afraid to go through some profiles on LinkedIn and browse titles, job descriptions, and duties. There is a lot of inspiration you can pull from there.
- Edit and revise! You will probably revise your resume as many times as you change a newborn’s diaper, in other words, that is okay! We are always learning more about ourselves.
I am happy to review and give you some suggestions. Drop me a comment here or shoot me an e-mail and we can connect!
