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Original poster

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

492 replies

likeababyelephant · 01/06/2017 18:57

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.

OP posts:
2014newme · 02/06/2017 20:11

@elendon what rot! Millions of people have kids and hold down all sorts of jobs!

lilacmamacat · 02/06/2017 21:14

I went back to work after 7 years. I was told by a recruiter to put "career break" and leave it at that. At interviews I was always asked to give a potted history of my career to date so was able to explain at that point.

Personally I've always felt that employers are not as interested in the skills you employ being a parent as is made out. If the rest of your CV looks good, a decent employer should be interested in you anyway, and can ask for any further information at that point.

cherish123 · 02/06/2017 21:58

I would not put on because not a job. Did you volunteer during your time off? I did not gain any skills that would be beneficial to my career while I was SAHM so I just put career break.

masterchef98 · 02/06/2017 22:03

I haven't read all the replies sorry. But double, triple, quadruple check your spelling and grammar, I'm not a recruiter but occasionally do recruit and so many cvs get rejected for multiple mistakes (it is relevant to the job, as it is for many jobs). Absolutely wouldn't list mother as a job and if you are studying now then there isn't really a concern about filling gaps.

cherish123 · 02/06/2017 22:06

Would also definitely take off being a parent as an achievement. Sounds like having sex if your achievement.

WickedLazy · 02/06/2017 22:08

So because I work, I'm not a "full time mother" Hmm

If I was interviewing people and read that on a CV, it would go straight in the bin. "Had to leave work due to past childcare issues" would be different. I hate seeing "full time yummy mummy" under job description on facebook. Give me the rage.

WickedLazy · 02/06/2017 22:08

Gives*

applemuffincake · 02/06/2017 22:09

I can not see a HR director wanting to hire someone who stated full time mother - gosh don't you think there will be other full time parents who also work outside the home - you don't stop being a mother because you go to work.

Good luck op Smile

Dentistlakes · 02/06/2017 22:16

Definitely remove any reference to SAH parenting from your CV. Being a mother isn't a job and I wouldn't be remotely interesting in any 'skills' you gained by doing so. It would pretty much make me bin your CV immediately; sorry.

pollymere · 02/06/2017 22:35

Full time Mum suggests you've made no plans to go back to work. Career break due to family is the best option. Do an online course or a short course to freshen your skills.

Umpteenthnamechange · 02/06/2017 22:35

Basically, with primary school children, you are never going to devote the time to the job.

Wow. I must be a myth then. As must my equally highly placed female colleagues with kids in the same group. As must my mentors. As must have been my mum and my 7 aunts. All myths.

Oh hang on. Hmm

Roversandrhodes · 02/06/2017 23:08

Sorry but I think it Sounds awful.Isnt every mother a full time mother ? You don't go to work and suddenly your not a mother anymore ? You give birth ,you're a mother til the day you die ,you don't get a day off ?
Stay at home mother would have been a better term but I've been in your position applying for jobs as a stay at home parent and never felt the need to mention it ?

Oneiroi · 02/06/2017 23:12

No. It's unprofessional and insulting to mothers who work, who do not cease to be mothers when they are out earning money to support their children. Providing for your child is a crucial part of parenting and does not mean you are a 'part time' parent. 🙄

TurquoiseDress · 03/06/2017 00:04

@WickedLazy

I totally agree re "full time yummy mummy" causing the rage! Grin

Howimetyourdaddy · 03/06/2017 07:41

I haven't read the full thread and this is my first time on MN.

I've worked in HR and recruitment for the past 20 years.

I'd definitely advise to put 'career break etc' as others have said.

What I would advise anyone applying for any job is what are you doing over and above anyone else applying?!

I would call the recruiter/ company and ask to speak to someone about the position. Looking at 100's of CV's a day recruiters literally have seconds to scan what is essentially just a piece of paper.

Showing initiative/ passion for the role goes a long way in my book these days.

Good luck OP. Smile

PuckeredAhole · 03/06/2017 07:42

Full time mum pisses me off. Stop using the term!!

Homemaker is fine.

7461Mary18 · 03/06/2017 07:56

If you want to annoy anyone female who works or the husbands of women than do then put full time mother (your post says full time mother and the thread title says "mum" - how interesting; I never use mum (always mummy or mother) and nor did you).

We remain a mother or father even if we work and even if we stay at home but happen to go to the gym or the loo without the child.

sleepingdragons · 03/06/2017 07:58

Homemaker is awful! Is it an American term? Maybe it's ok there but it sounds like something out of the sexist 1950s to me!

sleepingdragons · 03/06/2017 08:02

If it's just a year you're off then "maternity leave" surely covers it?

Stay at home parent is a term that implies a longer period than a year's maternity isn't it?

Maternity is just that - up.to a year off, it's descriptive and factual.

On mine I have "maternity leave" for my first when I was at home for a year and "maternity leave and stay at home parent" for my second to explain the longer gap in employment.

AyeAmarok · 03/06/2017 08:11

Why would anyone put "Maternity Leave" on a CV? Confused

Surely you just write "Commercial Finance Manager 2013-2017" and don't mention that you had two maternity leaves in that period? It was still your job while you were on mat leave, you don't need to explain any gap.

Onthehighseas · 03/06/2017 08:15

Basically, with primary school children, you are never going to devote the time to the job.

Rubbish. And offensive to those of us who have done/are doing it.

LadyFlumpalot · 03/06/2017 08:29

Sorry OP, "Full Time Mum" just makes me think of people on Facebook who have that as their job title. They usually sell Younique as well.

sleepingdragons · 03/06/2017 08:36

AyeAmarok to explain gaps in employment if - like the OP - you weren't employed by someone who gave you a nice year off but had to take a year out if the work force.

I wasn't suggesting everyone flags maternity on their CV I was addressing the OP's circumstances.

I was on a temp contract when I got pregnant so when I got pregnant it meant leaving my job and i need to explain that year.

Although - that's a point OP - you were still officially a student still in that year off, perhaps you don't need to put anything at all. Your degree took a year longer than usual and if they want to know why you can explain it took you longer than most as you had a baby im the middle.

AyeAmarok · 03/06/2017 08:43

Thanks sleeping, I understand. It wasn't just you, it's come up a few times in the thread and I was confused about why but I see now, temporary contracts are relatively common so a lot of people will need to explain the gap.

ilovechocolate07 · 03/06/2017 09:48

I put stay at home parent but usually only underneath to explain the gaps.