"Ful time mum" on CV- yes or no?

[likeababyelephant]

I just received a rejection from a job a spent ages tailoring my CV for and writing a very good cover letter for. Only to be told there were others with better skills/more experience. This is for an HR entry level job btw.

I can't help but think that it's because I put "full time mother" on my CV. But I would expect recruiters to seek to diversify their workforce, especially as it's an HR job. Are they discriminating against mothers or something?

Should I omit this information from my CV. I feel like I have better/more skills as a mother than I did before I had DD.

I would not use that term (in part because I think all mothers are full time mothers) but emphasise the skills you've gained as a mother and how they'd benefit you in the workplace and so your future employer.

Surely stay at home parent is okay if you really must but a lot of people find that 'full time mum' implies that those people with kids who WOHM aren't full time parents iyswim

I work in HR and spend a lot of time looking at CV's. A lot of people put full time mother on with a list of the skills they learnt underneath... caring, diet management, emotional support etc. Its not necessary and looks like you're trying to fill in blanks. I'd just state you have a gap in employment to raise a family but are now ready for the next phase. Good luck

I wouldn't put that on your cv. But I think it's more likely that you've been away from work for a bit while full time mothering which has put them off. Did you do voluntary work while being at home? I'd pad it out with other things you've done during this 'non working ' time

Isn't something like "career break to raise a family" more suitable? Full-time mum sounds a bit less professional somehow

I'd just leave it out and put "looking to reenter the workforce" in my personal statement. Then list roles in date order

To explain gaps, 'Caring responsibilities' should be used.

If prompted, then explain.

I also agree with the above posters. When I see people have written full time mum (which many do) it gets my back up a bit - I also consider myself a full time mum but unfortunately have to work too

No, I wouldn't write that on a CV and I wouldn't like to read it on one either. It sounds like 'filler' and it doesn't make relevant professional sense - all mothers are full time mothers.

I think you would just put that as a career break: caring for children rather than listing motherhood as a job. They won't be interested in what skills you've learned as a mother.

The phrase is ridiculous, so no.

If you've been out of the workplace for a while, it may be worth looking at a functional style CV instead of chronological. I agree with pp who said it looks like you are trying to fill in gaps.

No! Everyone is a FT Mum. Pisses me off!

I'd put "career break while raising a family" or similar

I know several recruiters who would get really annoyed by 'full time mum' - enough that they might not even send your application on.

You need a more professional CV. Set up a linkedin profile, reach out to recruiters in your industry, and ask them for help. Alternatively find a back to work scheme aimed at women - Deloitte have a really good one.

I would go with what Queen said. You can talk about how parenthood has enhanced your skills (if they're relevant to the role) at the interview stage.

I would state Career Break not full time mum. Surely all mums are full time regardless of our work

Don't put it on your CV, and absolutely don't list any 'skills' that you gained from this time period. I would recommend listing it as 'career break' with a one line explanation along the lines of 'Career break for care of family'. Bluntly, employers care about skills gained through work and not through family. They want to know very briefly why you weren't working for a period, ie that it wasn't because you couldn't get a job, and that is all.

Are you working at the moment or is this your re-entry to the working world?

I wouldn't say that. I wouldn't even put career break. I'd just list 3 or 4 of the last roles you've had and the dates and make sure you use bullet points under each job describing positive things you did in each role and how they display your skill set. I would leave talking about career breaks etc until interviews and only if they ask about them.

(Used to work in head hunting high level recruitment company).

Did you give evidence of how you met the skills / experience requested.
Do you have work experience before having children to include?
I wouldn't think the fact that you had a career break would have counted against you but not being able to evidence the essential criteria would.

Sorry it's an internship

Again sorry I'm a student doing full time degree looking for an internship

If you've been out of the workplace for a while, it may be worth looking at a functional style CV instead of chronological.

Don't do that. Employers hate it and it's blatantly obvious as a strategy to try and 'cover up' a gap. Chronological only, and either list the dates you were a SAHP as 'career break' on the CV or briefly acknowledge the career break in your cover letter.

it's one thing to say this amongst friends but I wouldn't write it down.
there are some excellent suggestions here. I like career break for family care.

No, please don't put that, and definitely don't write about the so-called skills you've gained while being at home. I saw one once that said (I'm paraphrasing) "with two small children to get to school and nursery, I have excellent time management skills". Cringe.

Agree with everyone else.

All mothers are full time mothers, so it's an absurd statement, and highlighting it makes it look as if that's the only thing you have to say for yourself.

Career break while child/ren were young would be good. Gives a much more professional "and now I'm ready to get back into the fray" impression. (I took 3 years away from my job when dd was little, and that's what I said)

Good luck!