Page 2 | Going back to work after bringing up kids, what do you put on your CV?

hamsterballs · 2023-09-06T09:46:51+00:00

Need to find a job now my youngest is starting reception. What do I put on my CV where there is a big gap? Or just leave the gap and expect them to assume? I have had a brief job in the last year, and done a course.

Original poster

hamsterballs · 07/09/2023 09:52

@HangingOver that made me laugh so much. I think the overall view is keep the child talk to an absolute minimum. I am very happy with that, I am getting a job to get out of that headspace!!

Could you please advise me whether I should put my GCSE results on my CV? Other than maths, English and science (?), is it worth putting religious studies and sociology etc? Was way back in 2005

OP posts:

donkra · 07/09/2023 09:53

sparkedsparkle · 07/09/2023 09:46

You literally state you were a SAHP where you learnt and overcome new challenges. Any employer will ask what you did as a SAHP and then you say you gained time management skills, compromising, budgeting and took up a new skill of learning to draw or something and don't forget to mention you took them to various outings/activities

I genuinely think this poster is trolling just to fuck with you.

mynameiscalypso · 07/09/2023 09:59

Most CVs I've read just state the number of GCSEs and occasionally the grades (eg 4Bs and 5Cs or whatever)

NutellasKitchen · 07/09/2023 10:00

I'm in exactly the same position as you OP so it is marvellous to hear all this advice. Fingers crossed for the GCSE results because I was so damn proud of my 7 A's and 2 A*'s. Back in 1994... God, what if no one CARES? 😮

Original poster

hamsterballs · 07/09/2023 10:03

@NutellasKitchen 😆 you must put those GCSE results down! I'm a bit embarrassed of mine so I'm hoping someone advises against it.

I am really hoping some of the lovely mumsnetters on this post are the ones who receive my CV!😃

OP posts:

whosaidtha · 07/09/2023 10:14

I put 4As and 5Bs including English and Maths. I do list my A-levels though but not sure it's relevant after a degree.

rainylittleroo · 07/09/2023 10:21

I'm a recruiter and this is something I see a lot.

In terms of GCSEs, it's absolutely fine to write "8 GCSEs including Maths & English" - no need to state grades.

Definitely recognise the gap in your employment history ie - 2020- present - career break to raise family.

It's definitely worth listing the courses/volunteering you've done in this period!

I would also recommend acknowledging the gap again in your Personal Statement or covering letter - "now my children are both settled into full time nursery, I'm looking to continue a career in X industry."

Good luck!

Ps. do not list the "skills" you gained or your responsibilities as a SAHP!!!

Original poster

hamsterballs · 07/09/2023 10:22

@rainylittleroo that's so helpful, thank you

OP posts:

Webex · 07/09/2023 10:34

I don't list exams other than my degree and post grad professional qualification (I'm a lawyer) but it's very role dependent. Also my A-levels are actually really shit but then I pulled my socks up!

Uterusbegone · 07/09/2023 14:18

sparkedsparkle · 07/09/2023 09:46

You literally state you were a SAHP where you learnt and overcome new challenges. Any employer will ask what you did as a SAHP and then you say you gained time management skills, compromising, budgeting and took up a new skill of learning to draw or something and don't forget to mention you took them to various outings/activities

Oh FGS no they won't be interested in any of that. They will want to know about work history, motivation for returning etc

No-one cares that you learnt to draw and took your kids out, it shows absolutely nothing of your work related skills and capabilities

Yes, absolutely put down that you took a career break for caring responsibilities, as you need to explain the gap, but do not try and position any of it as 'transferable skills' as it will make you look daft - everyone has to manage time/household budget etc

SleepingStandingUp · 07/09/2023 14:29

sparkedsparkle · 07/09/2023 09:46

You literally state you were a SAHP where you learnt and overcome new challenges. Any employer will ask what you did as a SAHP and then you say you gained time management skills, compromising, budgeting and took up a new skill of learning to draw or something and don't forget to mention you took them to various outings/activities

Love practically every other parent in the company and a fair few uncles and aunts then. Taking your own kids out for the day isn't a skill.

Why did you have no time management skills in your prior job but only got them after you'd had kids? Did you never feel the need to compromise I'm your original job either?

Letmeoutnow · 07/09/2023 14:29

everyone has to manage time/household budget etc

Yes, but not everyone does it well, do they? You might have five candidates who all have had to do project management in their jobs, but you would still have to ask them about how they did it, to see who had the most effective approach to this.

My background is in voluntary/ public sector and here transferable skills from non-paid roles, including as a homemaker, are encouraged to be used in the application process.

You would have to have been someone who took a very organised approach to managing home and kids but if you could show a systematic, thought through and effective approach, which was relevant in an interview situation - that would be accepted. Obviously better to use a more relevant example from work if you can though.

Lengokengo · 07/09/2023 14:34

Always explain gaps. I put ‘career break following maternity leave’. That was enough and I had no problem finding a job even after a 5 year break.

donkra · 07/09/2023 15:04

Yes, but not everyone does it well, do they? You might have five candidates who all have had to do project management in their jobs, but you would still have to ask them about how they did it, to see who had the most effective approach to this.

Which is exactly why you don't put in these skills 'gained' as a SAHP, because there's no way to verify or assess them. Plenty of people are absolutely shit at managing their own budget, dealing with conflict between their kids, etc. Someone might well have been a terrible SAHM. Which is their business because it's their personal life, which is why it's not a workplace skill.

evilharpy · 07/09/2023 15:58

whosaidtha · 07/09/2023 10:14

I put 4As and 5Bs including English and Maths. I do list my A-levels though but not sure it's relevant after a degree.

I don't put my A Levels or GCSEs at all. Haven't done for years. I have professional quals but no degree.

Angrycat2768 · 07/09/2023 16:05

hamsterballs · 07/09/2023 10:03

@NutellasKitchen 😆 you must put those GCSE results down! I'm a bit embarrassed of mine so I'm hoping someone advises against it.

I am really hoping some of the lovely mumsnetters on this post are the ones who receive my CV!😃

I just put down 5 GCSES A-C, including maths and English, even though I have more, no one cares about my A in RE. They are all you need, especially if you have hugher qualifications and will mean they dont have yo potentially put you through a L2 qualifcation ( depending on what the job is. Agree about not putting down ' time management skills as a SAHM', but maybe practice what you would say if asked competency based questions like ' How would you deal with prioritising tasks? Your actual experience prioritising tasks at home may help here generally. Dont say ' well my toddler was screaming because he wanted a second biscuit but I was halfway through the laundry...' but say ' I would consider what task is the most urgent etc' , so you are using your skills as a sahm to inform your answers theoretically but not saying ' I gained time management skills during my time as a sahm, which is a guaranteed way to get your cv filed in the bin! Do put down all your volunteering experience and your course.

shinny · 07/09/2023 17:51

I have a 14 year gap due to travelling abroad and bringing up the kids etc. I’ve applied for 3 jobs & had interviews so far but not been offered the 2 I really wanted.

is there any advice on how I can make myself more in touch? I can’t help but think I’d hire the person with same skill set as mine who had worked more recently.

thanks

PollyPotato · 07/09/2023 18:04

I think it probably depends on sector/ role you are applying for judging from these responses.

If I was interviewing someone and they quoted examples from their home life, I would think that they had no understanding of the difference between home and work.

Sugarcoatt · 07/09/2023 18:05

I put “Career Break” and listed stuff I did as hobbies during that period. Published a book of poetry (skills in laying out the book and creating the artwork), joined a local artists collective and displayed my work in exhibitions, volunteered on charitable committees, etc.

LovelyAutumndays · 08/09/2023 02:07

@mynameiscalypso
'LovelyAutumndays
Cleaner, Nanny, Cook, Home Organiser, PA, emotional support worker

Do not say this. I do all of this (apart from the full time nanny bit obviously) and work.'

Stay at home mums work as well!

blueshoes · 08/09/2023 02:32

LovelyAutumndays · 08/09/2023 02:07

@mynameiscalypso
'LovelyAutumndays
Cleaner, Nanny, Cook, Home Organiser, PA, emotional support worker

Do not say this. I do all of this (apart from the full time nanny bit obviously) and work.'

Stay at home mums work as well!

Being a SAHM is work but is not work that is not done to an objective measurable standard, it is done by every parent (hence nothing special, just life) and it is not particularly relevant to the world of paid employment.

If a candidate thinks it is, then I question whether the candidate who quoted them as examples of transferable skills even knows what is involved in being in the workplace

LovelyAutumndays · 08/09/2023 03:17

@blueshoes so if I got paid for everything that I did at home then would you allow these to be viewed as transferable skills in the workplace?
Because if I employed people to do what I do I would have to hire a cleaner, nanny, chef, PA etc

MiddleParking · 08/09/2023 04:14

LovelyAutumndays · 08/09/2023 02:07

@mynameiscalypso
'LovelyAutumndays
Cleaner, Nanny, Cook, Home Organiser, PA, emotional support worker

Do not say this. I do all of this (apart from the full time nanny bit obviously) and work.'

Stay at home mums work as well!

Not sure it would be that helpful to OP, a candidate with a big CV gap, to also disingenuously pretend she doesn’t understand the commonly understood concept of ‘work’ during the recruitment process.

MiddleParking · 08/09/2023 04:17

LovelyAutumndays · 08/09/2023 03:17

@blueshoes so if I got paid for everything that I did at home then would you allow these to be viewed as transferable skills in the workplace?
Because if I employed people to do what I do I would have to hire a cleaner, nanny, chef, PA etc

You are not doing four paid professional roles, or even one, by looking after your own kids. Come on now.

Angrycat2768 · 08/09/2023 06:33

LovelyAutumndays · 08/09/2023 03:17

@blueshoes so if I got paid for everything that I did at home then would you allow these to be viewed as transferable skills in the workplace?
Because if I employed people to do what I do I would have to hire a cleaner, nanny, chef, PA etc

And all of those people would have to perform to targets, follow instructions, have appraisals etc. A SAHM doesn't do that. Even a self employed person has to have a strategy and self set targets in order to achieve a result. A SAHM could be great or terrible. There are no measurable targets. Also, all SAHM's are told to say the same thing. That's why there eould be eye rolls.