"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 don't understand why it needs to be on your CV? Surely if they ask you in the interview you'd just tell them

Yes, Elendon, but it's not an achievement that you put on your work CV!

I'm a hiring manager - no problem with "career break to raise family" but anything with "full time mummy" "family CEO" etc would go straight in the bin.

I got congratulations cards for both my DC.

I also got congratulations cards for each of the houses I have moved into and passing my driving test. I include the latter in my CV because being able to drive is a skill that is relevant to many jobs; moving house is an achievement but completely irrelevant to any prospective employer.

One of my best friends has a number of certificates charting her amazing weight loss up on the wall she also has a food preparation hygiene certificate. Undoubtedly, losing over ten stone is her biggest achievement in life, but again utterly irrelevant to most positions (if she were applying for a job with Slimming World, maybe). If she was applying for a job in the catering industry, she would include her food prep credentials. Not if she was applying for an entry level HR position.

(I can't believe that this stuff needs explaining....)

No I had my DD during university. I got pregnant in my first year, had a year off and now I'm at the end of my second year.

Right. That makes a lot more sense.

In your position, I would put:

"BA (Hons) Equine Management
2:1 (predicted) [or whatever assessment you currently have, depending on the structure of your course]
Three-year course completed over four years due to one year of maternity leave."

A friend of mine took a year out of our degree course for cancer treatment and put something similar as relevant to her situation on her cv. This accounts for your time and ensures that the gap is explained (important in any role where safeguarding is a consideration).

The employer can then read between the lines and infer that you were not president of the chess club / volunteering every evening / achieving a sporting Blue because you have a small child.

I have to sy i hate that turn of phrase. I work a full time job but i am still a mother full time ie all the time. Stay at home parent is much more appropriate.

*having children means you get asked at interviews who will look after them when they are sick?

I don't think they are allowed to ask if you have children in interviews. Same as they can't ask if you're married, plan to have children, are gay, your age or anything else about your personal life that has no bearing on your ability to actually do the job.

It's not relevant, and if they make their decision to employ you or not based on those things it's discrimination.

If it's not an achievement to have a baby then why celebrate birthdays? Or children?

You're obviously missing the point of a CV.

Does - non-civil servants appreciate the skills that you will have, but you need to work on explaining them. for example, "briefing ministers" doesn't mean much to a non-Sir Humphrey, but talking about your ability to condense large amounts of information into a concise oral presentation for C-Suite level leaders will help them see what you can do

I met a woman who earned a high six figure numbers salary. She loved my CV of life and said I'd done a lot and it was all worth noting - I may have sold myself well. She told me she never held back in saying on any CV she wrote that her favourite film was The Sound of Music. If they didn't appreciate that, they weren't worth working for, is what she told me.

doesthis I won't pretend it's easy.

I would first focus on the type of job you want and get a job description for that role.

Make notes on how your experience translates into the public sector. Word your experience in your current role to mirror the tone of this description.

I would also make an exhaustive list of recruitment agencies who specialise in the field you are looking to move into - try to avoid those who are recruiting for every sector going. Look their consultants up on linked in, look at their experience, recommendations etc and the quality of their jobs. Approach a couple for a general chat and see if they able to help.

You will find one. Ask them for pointers on your new CV. Ask them for a time scale in which they will get you an interview - of they can't do it or aren't very efficient find another.

I've heard it all now! Equating having DC with passing a driving test and moving house.

Did she hire you, Elen?

"Today 21:03 Elendon

Sorry but how many threads are there on here on Mumsnet about women going through fertility problems and then becoming pregnant? That's an achievement and all are congratulated for it."

You want an employer to congratulate you on it?

I had eight years off. It's covered on my CV as career break, children now x and y age. During that time I chaired the PTA which raised over £20k per annum, co-ordinated childrens' worship for four age groups and was the Vice Chair of a local community trust.

It is essential to address the person spec with specific examples and ensure the application is grammatically perfect, including spellings.

I've also always been completely honest. I have reliable childcare arrangements, children are now independent/beyond school age, my ability to work hard can be evidenced by the fact that i completed my CIPD successfully juggling a full time job and children aged 7 and 10 when I started it.

I've had five jobs in two organisations in the last 14 years. I've had two external interviews - two applications - wasn't successful though.

Express enthusiasm - i like it when candidates do that. I'm HR.

elen, we celebrate birthdays because children were born. Amazingly, I still plan to celebrate DD's birthday.

I agree that pregnancy and labour and recovery are significant issues that are currently not given proper recognition.

But I don't see how you'd help that by suggesting the OP act like this.

I've heard it all now! Equating having DC with passing a driving test and moving house.

They were all examples of "achievements" that you don't put on your CV (unless the driving was relevant to the job).

What about all the women who go through fertility treatment, miscarriages etc and dont get pregnant? I suppose they haven't "achieved" In your eyes elendon.
Your posts are actually pretty offensive

Olennas and Rawhh thanks for the replies. I need a bit of focus I think. Thanks.

So if you went to an interview and were asked if you have children what would be your response?

Sorry, can't answer that, that's total discrimination that is. Wow, hold your horses mister, what gives you the right to ask such a question?

Elendon, have you been drinking?

It's like have children and then shove them into the back of the cupboard and not let them be seen or heard.

Don't want to upset the employers now do we? Pesky children.

It's like have children and then shove them into the back of the cupboard and not let them be seen or heard.

What have children got to do with your job/CV?!? (unless you are applying for a childcare role, and even then)

You are hard work Elen!!!! I'm a mum of 3 children and I work as a nursery nurse..... believe me they are nothing at all like each other!!!!!

Elendon, have you been drinking?

^ this