Oct 18, 2018 - 06:06 PM
The way to write a good cover letter as a stay-at-home mom involves demonstrating three things:
1. You’ve stayed connected to your professional community
2. Your work skills are still sharp
3. You’ve learned a few things during your time at home that will be valuable back on the job.
You’ve got nothing for which to apologize in stepping out of the workforce and being a stay-at-home mom. You’ve done some of the toughest and most rewarding unpaid work, and you have the practical skills, work ethic, and discipline to show for it.
But you will have to explain your unique career story. Even though you might already have several years of work experience, you’ll probably need to take on the mindset of a new workforce entrant, where you market yourself more on your skills and potential, and less on your actual work history.
You’ll want your cover letter to amplify your resume, which may be in a skills-based format. Keep the cover letter concise and laser-focused on your qualifications. Avoid discussing employment gaps. Instead, focus on how your unique experiences bring value to the organization. Highlight soft skills--especially time-management and communication--along with any community involvement or volunteering.
Aug 21, 2018 - 01:47 PM
If you’ve been out of the job market for some time or have never worked, focus on your personal work ethic and any skills you’ve held from your past history. You can also use skills from community involvement. For example, if you’re applying for a role in grant management, you could discuss hosting and organizing school fundraisers with hundreds of donors. If you’re applying for a role at a daycare center, focus on your skills in childcare.
You’ll have an easier time if your work experience is more recent. Call out your strongest achievements and spotlight moments to sell your value proposition. Don’t over-explain the gap in your career; you can discuss that in an interview or your resume. The point is not to explain away the negatives, but to sell the positives. Keep your cover letter short, tight, and completely focused on your qualifications and nothing else.
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