What is the best way to describe being out of work for 8 years to raise children?

14 Comments

1. Amy HanleyNovember 2,2024 at 12:35PM UTC

   So I recently began exploring functional Va chronological resumes as well as hybrid resumes. For me, this was because I was applying for a job out of my field and wanted to highlight skills I had. Do some research on types of resumes which may allow you to focus on skills like time management and de-emphasize the gap.

2. AnonymousNovember 2,2024 at 3:01PM UTC

   From the best I can tell, employers do not like gaps without an explanation of over a year, so you may want to list any volunteer or part-time work you may have done during that time. You can also list any internship as a separate job entry (with "[duty]" Intern as the title) and include your responsibilities during the internship in the bullets. For the time you were a student (make sure you can verify it by a transcript), you can list it as the school (for company), "student" for the title, and list some coursework that may be relevant to the JD you are applying to in the bullet points. For the rest of the time, you can list it as "family caregiver," but don't give any more explanation. It is not relevant or legal for the company to ask about the nature of your family.

3. Sidney BristowNovember 3,2024 at 2:31AM UTC

   I love this question! Because I was a sahm for nearly 17 years, and now I am a director with my company after 4 years there.

   My first piece of advice is to watch your mindset. You were out of the PAID workforce, but have been gainfully employed for every one of those 8 precious years.

   If you're anything like me, you've had to use every project mgmt, time mgmt, financial mgmt skill known to man in order to juggle kid schedules, keep them entertained on a shoestring budget, clothe and feed them, and still volunteer at their school/the community/a sick friend's house/grandma's house/etc.

   Motherhood is a WHOLE job and we mothers are the best ones to tell the story, not short-change ourselves, and be proud of our accomplishments: raising really decent humans, getting a degree, teaching them to make the bed and wash their clothes, say please and thank you, et cetera.

   All that to say that it's not a "gap," it's another job where you show the skills you've gained and honed.

   I'll leave you with this: not every employer will be on board with my philosophy. Not every one will see your worth and your value. But the employer(s) who do will be worthy of you. I found one, praying you will too.

4. Suzanne TaylorNovember 4,2024 at 1:18PM UTC

   Employers prefer that you are straightforward on your resume so they aren't left guessing about your past. Also, congratulations on your master's degree! That's a great achievement you can include as well. I recommend something brief like:

   Career Note | 2016-present

   • Prioritized childrearing and household management [can add 1-2 skills relevant to your career, if applicable]
   • Earned master's degree in [field], deepening skills in [skill 1, skill 2, skill 3]
   • [1-2 more bullet points describing graduate school activities, professional development, or volunteering, if applicable]

   In your resume summary, you can emphasize skills/knowledge from your recent degree and eagerness to revitalize your career. In an interview, you can elaborate more on your degree and SAHP experience if warranted.

5. AnonymousNovember 5,2024 at 1:20PM UTC

   While this could work, I would change "childrearing" to "family caregiving" and remove household management from the first bullet. The fact that the OP probably has preteen children at home (still) is none of the company's business, and they cannot ask about it. Weaving the household management details into the other bullet points changes the nature of this entry to someone who has a resolved issue, has earned valuable knowledge, and is ready to shift priorities to a job.

6. AnonymousNovember 7,2024 at 1:51PM UTC

   Don't mention children/childrearing on your resume. That is a huge red flag to some of the resume ATS programs. They will automatically screen you out. Same holds true with pictures on resumes. (if you are applying for theatrical or modeling then go for the picture- otherwise keep it off the resume).

7. AnonymousNovember 4,2024 at 3:29PM UTC

   1) be straightforward to new employers about your progress with professional career development, skills, specialties even though you not in office, the reason why you’re being blocked to return to work.

   2) be direct on your direction “return to office” no cheat, be bold to HR on that how “8 years” missing in code of conduct Don’t waste time on it anymore. Be selective on companies for your next career, you don’t have to talk companies culture , pays, work environment won’t fit.

   3) be proactive raise lawsuits to related corporate lawyers on 8 years gap which caused by unethical business consequences. From unethical to crime, loop law enforcement to investigate white collar crimes, parasites are not children.

8. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachNovember 6,2024 at 1:01PM UTC

   You could outline the main skills/concepts you learned about while getting your masters and speak to how you can apply them "in action" for the specific jobs you are looking at. Having a masters degree is already going to help you stand out! Also - networking with people at companies you are interested in can also help you land an interview.

9. AnonymousNovember 7,2024 at 2:17PM UTC

   Hello -

   The best option is "total honesty"...We can't "spin" raising kids to make it seem different than what it is /was - As mentioned from others, highlight your drive & ambition to get your Master's and how that will carryover to your job.

10. AnonymousNovember 7,2024 at 4:00PM UTC

    I have the same thing going on. I'm looking for a new job, and I have had the current one for 4 years. I imagine that being straightforward about choosing to take a career break to take care of your child. I attended hair school at Toni and Guy in 2018 when my child was about 13. Then Covid hit, and I never did manage to get into that career. We both did things to continue grooming our minds and keep busy. That tidbit is probably all you need. Most places will understand that.

11. AnonymousNovember 7,2024 at 4:03PM UTC

    I agree with everyone who says to just be honest about it. I just interviewed someone who has been out of the workforce for 5 years due to covid and raising children. She was very honest and is enthusiastic about getting back to work. She's an excellent candidate for my position and I have no issues with her gap.

12. AnonymousNovember 7,2024 at 4:47PM UTC

    Put the degree on top of it and add in some "consulting work" and "other educational work" to fill in the gap. Leave dates off and make it a skills resume instead. Talk about projects you did and things you know deeply.

13. Tami L CannizzaroNovember 7,2024 at 5:48PM UTC

    Congratulations on finishing your Master's degree! That's a great achievement. When it comes to sharing during an interview, it's still a fine line to walk. Less is more while focusing on the positive aspects you bring to the table. Truth is, we want to be fully transparent and lay all our cards out - I'm that person! Yet by doing so, we give away information that is illegal for employers to ask of us, thereby opening ourselves up to possible unconscious bias from the hiring manager. If I mention that I left a job to care for my kids/ailing parent and the position requires working into the evening or travel, the hiring manager may wrongly assume I would be available to do that. She may assume my situation would cause issues, even if I have that covered with a nanny or in-home healthcare. Bottom line, our personal lives/information is not their business, especially during the interview. It's better to find a way to address the absence quickly and vaguely without too many specifics. "I stepped away briefly to help a family member and during that time decided to further my education, receiving with my Master's degree this year. This, combined with my experience in Z, has allowed me to develop skills in X and Y. " Or something like that.

14. MidwestMaven456November 11,2024 at 3:10PM UTC

    Been there, just done that. The best thing is to be honest and promote what you really did. Put down your part time volunteer work, because it WAS work. You just didn't get paid for it. Put down you were going to school part time. Show them what you were doing that makes you worth it, juggling numerous jobs is multi tasking, volunteer works at school or church shows you work with non-profit etc. I got part time work after being home for 15 years and doing school too, so good luck.