Need Resume Advice

[arnold]

Here's the situation - I've been a SAHM for almost 13 years; prior to that I graduated college and worked full time for 4-5 years.  Since then I've had 4 kids and had a few seasonal retail jobs just to earn a few extra bucks.  

I started a nursing school in back in September and will earn my BSN in nursing in August.  My university offers an opportunity for specialized training in the last semester (which I may or may not be interested in, haven't decided yet).  In an effort to keep my options open, I have a meeting with the faculty member who is in charge of the "specialized" training, they take 10 students and are starting the selection process.  

So to my question - she asked that I bring a resume to our meeting and I'm unsure how to address (or even if I should address) the 13 year "gap" in my resume???

[TranquilMind]

Can you include it?   Did you home school?  If so, include that, with lots of action verbs. 

 

If not, then state that you made a decision that it was best to be with your children when they were young and am  now excited for new opportunities.    I would be prepared to talk about all transferable skills you may have.  You nursed children back to health.  You managed, controlled, delegated, coordinated, executed, orchestrated, developed, instituted, devised....all kinds of things!  I'd prepare a two minute blurb about this and then make it sound conversational, not memorized. 

[scoutingmom]

Although I think this was created as a joke, it does give thought to how there are good skills involved...

 

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

 

What made me say it, I do not know. The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."

 

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though she had not heard right.

 

I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

 

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"

 

Without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply. "I have a continuing program of research, in the laboratory and in the field. I'm working for my Masters, and already have four credits, (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day. But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

 

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants - ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby), in the child-development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt triumphant! I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another mother."

 

Motherhood. What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers, "Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" and great grandmothers, "Executive Senior Research Associates?" I think so! I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants."

 

 

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