Going back to work after 11 years as a SAHM.....what do I put on a cv?

[Jas]

Help!

Now that my youngest child has started school, I really need to get to work, ideally part time around school hours, or evenings.

I am not considering going back to my former career (I was a nurse) as it would involve retraining, and is not something I am happy to do part time.

So.....what do I write on my cv? I have very little work experience in the past ten years, and my qualifications are out of date/no longer relevant.

I would welcome any advice or suggestions.

TIA

I'd keep the CV brief and factual. For the covering letter, look at the job spec. and give examples from your time as SAHM to match their key requirements.

The very best of luck .

Sorry about this, I'm lurking as in the same boat so going to be nosey and see what people advise. Good luck Jas.

what job are you applying for?
you need to think about the skills required and see if you can put anything, or specific interests you have.

otherwise i would just keep it brief and factual - that you have had a career break for x years to look after young children.

you need to change the format of your CV from one that majors on 'employment history' to one that majors on 'key skills' and a 'personal statement'.

keep 'employment history' for the second page with 'education'.

on the first page put key transferrable skills from nursing - calm under pressure, communication, people skills, attention to detail...

add all voluntary stuff you've done while a SAHM.. managing groups etc.

and a big personal statement saying how wonderfully fresh you are now and just dying to get back into the workplace and give it will 100% commitment and enthusiasm.

also, make a reassuring section about your computer skills etc. so they don't think you're totally out of date.

good luck!!

can you volunteer somewhere to update your skills whilst you look? You could use them for referees too if you get on well? I work for a hospice and we have volunteers both within our shops and within all departments within the hospice so admin skills and stuff can be updated. Look at what free courses there are advertised at your local library for people looking to go back to work aswell.
Good luck and hth

What fluffles said.

Plus, have you been on the PTA, preschool committees, done any voluntary work? All show commitment and skills.

Thankyou all for your replies

It has given me lots of ideas and a base to work from.

I have done some voluntary work in school, and am currently training as a volunteer breast feeding helper, but have always avoided PTA and committees.
I will go out tomorrow and look to see if there are any courses locally I could do which would help. To be honest even if it doesn't get me a job, I could do with building my confidence in the workplace, too.

Are my non-existent computer skills going to be a problem? I am reasonably good, but am self taught on a mac, so not really transferrable.

Jas I'm sure there are free computer courses you can do. if they are not advertised in the library maybe you could ask them at their reception desk or call the job centre and see if they can help?

ok "non existent computer skills"

well you are here posting on mn so not altogether "non existent"!

• do you use email regularly?
• do you use the internet regularly?

you need to put that.
e.g. Competent and regular Email and internet user.

Oh, I like that. Thankyou.

I really do need the obvious pointing out to me sometimes (But I won't mention that on my cv!)

don't overlook your skills! you are a talented, wonderful and clever person and don't you forget it!

Jas glad you have got some advice on here now, don't fprget to add things on like the talk you gave at school about road safety to the children, and any other bits you have done like that.

Jas
I'm sure that being a nurse has so many qualities you should flag up

compassion
patience
endurance
multi-tasking abilities
ability to study and learn many different jobs
people skills
being firm with people - can't think how to put that

plus so many more - try to make a list of what a good nurse should be, perhaps?

sorry I'm not much help

I would highly recommend Great answers to tough interview questions

What job did you have in mind?

Having seen some of your housekeeping threads, I'd say that you have magnificent organisational skills !