Advise please!

12 Comments

1. Veronika Strnadova-NeeleyNovember 20,2022 at 6:54PM UTC

   I don't know if this is advisable or not, but I personally wrote "full time parent" on my resume for the time periods that I was devoting my full time to caregiving for my kids. I would think that the odd jobs wouldn't hurt the resume, but I don't know

2. AnonymousNovember 20,2022 at 8:04PM UTC

   I would include the odd jobs if they were relevant. And by relevant, if they demonstrate either hard or soft skills that they can translate as being attractive to an employer for the roles they are seeking. I once took almost two years off for elder care. During that time, I volunteered and used many of my professional skills including project management, communications and event planning. I would shy away from the cutesy stuff that we see on LinkedIn sometimes, but there is much value that can be gained from the odd jobs!

3. Melanie CoggenNovember 20,2022 at 8:35PM UTC

   The current degree would be highly desirable. Mature candidate with recent studies.

4. Marquisha ThomasNovember 20,2022 at 9:41PM UTC

   I like with one of the commenter said, including the full-time parent and the number of years, because it definitely shows dedication and devotion; and parenting can be one of the hardest jobs, honestly, lol. Adding odd jobs that are definitely relevant to his field, is not a bad idea either.

5. AnonymousNovember 22,2022 at 1:53AM UTC

   First, if your husband wants to mention all/some of the temporary jobs, I suggest that he your husband note on his resume that he’s been a stay-at-home dad, which will orient employers to the context for his temporary employment.

   As to whether the temporary jobs should be highlighted: yes, if they are related to MIS work or if they show transferable skills and accomplishments (project management, sales, personnel management.)

6. Crystal HowellNovember 22,2022 at 3:01PM UTC

   I would mention the odd jobs in a cover letter and follow up as talking points, unless they were for 12 months at a time?

   His online college should be able to provide him with interviews?

7. ReachingGoalsNovember 22,2022 at 3:29PM UTC

   Your Husband ROCKS! He doesn’t need to mention all the odd jobs, but maybe one or two that could pertain to the position he is applying for either in his cover letter or on his resume. More details can come out in an actual interview. He did a hard job for 21 years, got a degree and now it is his turn. Don’t let him get discouraged. But them I’m always the one on the hiring committee to say, no, this person doesn’t have EVERYTHING, but look what they do bring to the table. Once the final decision was down to two people, if we could have hired them both we would have. Each person had pros and cons. So I said, “THIS person has an awesome laugh and we have to hire her”. She turned out to be the best hire we had.

8. Afo Ogbeyalu KaluNovember 23,2022 at 1:39PM UTC

   I advise that your hubby Google-search "functional resume" and use that format. It highlights skills and abilities. He should also reference the skills utilized at the "odd jobs" that are in-line with the skills and abilities required for a position in the information systems industry.

9. Cynthia Armistead NewmanNovember 23,2022 at 2:47PM UTC

   When I returned to the workforce after a 12-year "Mommy break," I added a section to my resume that showed the transferable skills I used in managing a household. He might consider adding in those skills, too.

10. AnonymousNovember 23,2022 at 4:51PM UTC

    I was coming to say this. Well put.

11. Connie PaulsonNovember 23,2022 at 4:00PM UTC

    My father had a hemorrhagic stroke and my help was needed for a while. My resume has a section for Planned Career Break with bullet points talking about soft skills. Interviewers seem to like that over leaving it blank.

12. Jamie CabralNovember 23,2022 at 5:46PM UTC

    I agree with the comments below. As a recruiter, I think seeing a planned break and transferrable skills is better than a big questionable gap.