What goes on resumes for parents re-entering the workforce?

A reader writes:

"I'm a first generation and low income recent college graduate. Right after high school, I got married and had children. After my second child, I decided to go back to school and get my degree. Being a full-time college student and a mother of 3 (I had another child while working on my degree), I didn't have a normal college experience. I was also only in 1 club, and didn't participate in very many activities throughout college. To be a mother and a college student, I had to have excellent time management skills, budgeting ability, and organizational skills, but I know that many employers will just look at the fact that I wasn't very involved in college. While I would have liked to have been more involved, I had to think of my family. I did make sure to always go to class and have excellent references from some of my professors because of my dedication to my education. How can I explain this to potential employers on my resume?"

First off, congrats on completing your degree while raising 3 kids! A lot of first generation and low income college students are also student-parents and it is no easy task. It truly does take "excellent time management skills, budgeting ability, and organizational skills;" however, your resume is not the place to showcase this parent-specific skill set.


So then what should go on your resume to fill the gap? Start with your academic experiences. Did you take any important classes, do any exciting projects, or conduct research? This classroom-based experience is totally fair game for your resume, as long as its relevant to the jobs you are applying for, so list classes and academic experience on your resume.


You mentioned that you were part of one club in college. If the activities of the club are related to your career goals, especially if you held a leadership position, definitely list it as well.


Also, think about any volunteer activities or major events you may have done for your kids. Maybe you were the treasurer for your daughter's soccer team or helped coordinate a neighborhood block party. Using these types of experiences allows you to make the connection between "excellent time management skills, budgeting ability, and organizational skills" and what an employer is looking for. You are much better off tying your skills gained as a parent to concrete activities outside of the home.


Check out Jobfully's blog on Resume Make-over: Returning to the Workforce, which I think has some good information about working on your resume when you are going back to work after raising a family.


Good luck!


Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.