CV queries and returning to work (SAHM)

[Thisischocolate]

I’m looking to return to work after being a SAHM for 5 years and have some queries which I’m hoping someone could help with please:

• For a personal statement what do I write, as I have been out of the office for 5 years? I don’t see how I can claim to be some of the things I was capable of doing so long ago, and time and ways of working may have changed.
  

• My current CV (about 10 years old) states that I am proficient in Office, SAP, internet etc but now I can barely remember what the SAP screen looked like and I haven’t touched Office since I left. I use my laptop all the time but not for Office. I am going to look at doing some refresher courses for Office (not possible for SAP) but these days do people even include this sort of thing on CV’s now?
  

Thanks.

[RedskyAtnight]

"Career break" or "Career break to bring up young family"

I don't think anyone is interested in Office on a CV now - it would be expected you should know it (and you absolutely should do a refresher course as it has changed a lot in 10 years!) SAP knowledge is more specialist, but again 10 years would probably make it out of date.

I'd suggest you may need to look at volunteering/unskilled jobs/training courses just to enhance your CV. You may have done some of this during your time as a SAHM (did you run the local toddler group? Stick it on your CV!)

[Theyweretheworstoftimes]

Have a look at these type of links


www.talentedladiesclub.com/articles/17-new-skills-you-can-put-on-your-cv-after-becoming-a-mum/


You will have skills you didn't have before. Might help you get some ideas?

[MrsSiba]

Focus on the skills you have and how these will relate to a job eg problem solving ( all mums are doing this all the time, right?), Prioritising tasks, meeting deadlines.

They can train you to do a job but they can't give you these skills.

Also must CVs these days are sent via email so bear that in mind. I recently redid mine and was told that the person looking at your CV will skim read it first and it needs to grab attention fast! Think carefully about layout... White space and bullet points, with bold/ underlined main points rather than massive paras.

Also it will open on the screen and I was told some people are so busy they won't scroll through to the bottom or to the next page unless it piques interest. So if you think about what you seen when open a document on Word, include all the salient points until about 18 on the side margin ( may need to check that).

Good luck OP!

[knickybricks]

Do a competencies based CV. Demonstrate you still have the skills - confidence is probably your weakness but it's temporary. Have a look at some Youtube videos to build up your Microsoft skills. I was out of the workforce for 14 years and returned 2 years ago.

What had changed? A lot less than I thought judging by the scaremongering! People like to over complicate things - you can google the answer to most tech/office questions. Be honest in your personal statement or your covering letter - if someone has a problem with the decision you took, you will never convince them. Maybe take a more junior role to start with, to build your confidence - it'll come back pretty quickly I bet and then there will be no stopping you!
We have asked for Microsoft skills - even from very senior staff - if they are silent on this, we would ask...we use Excel for lots of quick analysis and while the trend is moving away from distracting whizzy powerpoint presentations we still need to know someone can and does use it. Good luck!

[knickybricks]

And try to match the CV to the skills requested on the CV - I am currently trolling through CVs trying to match up their experience with our essential requirements, which too many seem to have ignored - but I'm getting close to just dumping the CV on first glance. And on that note get your CV in fast, as dumping the CV that doesn't match the skills becomes more tempting, the more you receive.

[FieldOverFence]

5 years isn't that long really, so I wouldn't necessarily assume that all your skills are out of date, or that you can't use them in your statement. Highlight what you were best at, if you get a job, you'll brush up fairly quickly.

I would however not use skills you learnt as a parent (multi-tasking, time management, project management etc). Generally employers want to hear about skills you've used in a professional capacity, rather than a personal capacity.

[ArosGartref]

I really recommend the CV masterclass by jobjenny on LinkedIn. You can get a free trial of premium which should allow you to access it.

She has great tips for how to frame your CV in different situations such as returning to work after a career break.

[DianaT1969]

On the subject of recruiters expecting people to continuously tailor CVs to match key criteria and competencies for each job. I call bullshit on this. My previous roles and responsibilities, skills and background should give any competent recruiter the information required. My covering letter covers this. Either ask candidates to complete a short online questionnaire or judge from a CV with explantory covering letter. Stop wasting people's precious time.
Oh, and while I'm at it, a personal statement at the top is a wanky American invention.
I'm amazing! A super-intelligent self-starter who thrives on a dynamic environment. Pass the sick bucket.

[DianaT1969]

*explanatory

[Respectabitch]

@Theyweretheworstoftimes

Have a look at these type of links

www.talentedladiesclub.com/articles/17-new-skills-you-can-put-on-your-cv-after-becoming-a-mum/

You will have skills you didn't have before. Might help you get some ideas?

Ohhhh lord DO NOT DO THIS. This kind of advice is doled out all the time about listing all your new mum skills and it's terrible.

An employer is not employing you to mediate between toddlers, which you may well have been terrible at doing for all they know. They are employing you to do a job, with adults, and they will want examples of having used these skills in a vaguely relevant context. Organising a playgroup may well be relevant experience from a project management perspective but getting out the door to do the school run on time is really, really not an example of professional "time management".

[knickybricks]

@DianaT1969

On the subject of recruiters expecting people to continuously tailor CVs to match key criteria and competencies for each job. I call bullshit on this. My previous roles and responsibilities, skills and background should give any competent recruiter the information required. My covering letter covers this. Either ask candidates to complete a short online questionnaire or judge from a CV with explantory covering letter. Stop wasting people's precious time.
Oh, and while I'm at it, a personal statement at the top is a wanky American invention.
I'm amazing! A super-intelligent self-starter who thrives on a dynamic environment. Pass the sick bucket.

Or you could do this.😂

Diana what area do you work in?

[Oly4]

Absolutely don’t claim that you have lots of skills just from being a mother!
Just list your skills and don’t mention your kids

[knickybricks]

Can I just say after trying to review far too many CVs today. Please at least give some indication you have read the job description and you know what a company does and if you would like to be considered for a sector you have absolutely no experience in - try, even just a little bit to explain why you'd like to move to a different sector and be considered for the job.
I'm starting to feel impressed by candidates who have read the first 3 lines of the job advert!

[Bathroom12345]

I agree with a PP. Please dont list out your skills as a Mum. Just dont....