Making the Transition Back to Work
Returning to the workforce after a career break can feel overwhelming. You may wonder how to explain the gap in your resume or whether your skills are still relevant. The truth? You’ve been building an incredible skill set all along—right in the heart of motherhood. The key is learning how to translate those skills into professional language that resonates with employers.
Angela Ashurst, founder of Upword Resume and a Certified Professional Resume Writer, shares invaluable insights on how moms returning to work can showcase their skills in a way that gets hiring managers to take notice.
If you’ve ever questioned whether your time as a stay-at-home mom counts, here’s why your experience is more valuable than you think.
1. Your Work as a Mom Has Real Economic Value
The professional world often overlooks unpaid labor, but research proves its value. If you were to put a salary on all the unpaid work mothers contribute, it would add up to more than $126,000 per year (and that was in 2022—adjust for inflation, and it’s likely even higher now!).
Yet, because our economy draws a hard line between paid and unpaid work, the challenge is translating those skills into language hiring managers understand.
Slide to Insert: “Your salary: $126,725.”
2. Fill the Gap
You may feel like there’s a big employment gap on your resume. But when you take a step back and look at everything you’ve done—whether at home, through volunteer work, or in side gigs—you’ll likely realize that gap isn’t as big as it seems. The key to building a strong re-entry resume is casting a wide net and recognizing the full range of your skills and experience.
Employers aren’t just looking for traditional job titles; they’re looking for someone who can deliver results.
Start by making a huge list of all your roles and contributions—paid or unpaid. Go beyond employment and think about everything you’ve done that demonstrates leadership, organization, problem-solving, communication, or other valuable skills.
Nontraditional professional experience
- Managed finances or bookkeeping for a family business or rental property
- Designed a website for a personal project or small business
- Helped run or market a partner’s or friend’s business
- Started a side hustle, even if it was small
- Provided freelance or contract services in your field
Volunteer Work and Community Leadership
- Held leadership roles in PTA, school committees, or nonprofit organizations
- Organized community events, fundraisers, or charity drives
- Managed social media or communications for a group or cause
- Coordinated schedules, logistics, or operations for a team or program
Your resume might not include everything from this brainstorm, but thinking broadly about your experience gives you the material to create a compelling resume that shows an employer you’re ready to step back into the workforce with confidence.
Slide to Insert: “You have valuable skills. Let’s get them onto your resume.”
3. Focus on the Value You Deliver
Now that you have a big list of experiences, organize and prioritize it based on one simple question: Does this show how I can deliver value to an employer?
We call this the Magic Yardstick and you can read more about it here.
More importantly, focus on impact:
– Spearheaded school fundraising event, raising $10,000 to support local education programs.
– Coordinated volunteer efforts, increasing participation by 40% through targeted outreach.
– Prepared tax returns for dozens of individuals and businesses.
Slide to Insert: “Your resume is not about you. It’s about what you can do for an employer.”
4. Build a Resume That Works for You
Traditional resumes follow a set structure, but moms returning to work may need to adjust the format to highlight relevant experience. In addition to Professional Experience, consider adding sections like:
– Skills & Certifications – If you’ve taken courses in digital marketing, coding, or business management, list them up top.
– Volunteer & Leadership Experience – Organizing volunteer meetings, leading fundraising events, or handling logistics for community programs? Those skills are valuable in many industries.
– Freelance or Project-Based Work – Did you assist with a family business or take on small consulting projects? Include them as part of your work history.
5. Research Return-to-Work Programs
Many Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies are actively working to bring more women back into the workforce through returnship programs. Before applying, check company websites for their stance on diversity, inclusion, and women’s initiatives. This research can help you target companies that value your background and skills.
Some of our favorite support resources for professional re-entry are Elavare and Tech-Moms.
Pro Tip: Use LinkedIn to research HR leaders at your target companies and send a personalized message highlighting your skills and interest in their return-to-work initiatives.
Ready to Get Back to Work? We Can Help.
If the idea of updating your resume feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. At Upword Resume, we specialize in helping moms returning to the workforce translate their experience into compelling resumes that land interviews.
With a team of expert resume writers—many of whom are working moms themselves—we know how to craft a career story that reflects your values and strengths. Let’s turn your parenting skills into professional gold—get started with a resume consultation today.
Check out our resume service specifically for return-to-work here.
