Career Gap? Why You Should Include 'Parenting' On Your Resume

The pandemic scarred the labor industry greatly leaving many individuals, including working parents, jobless due to a number of companies cutting down on labor costs and suspending operations, while others shutting down completely.

In the Philippines, the unemployment rate in 2020 flunked to 10.3 percent according to the Philippine Statistics Authority–a huge drop from previous year’s 5.1 percent. In a labor report of the same year, around 7.3 million individuals were disclosed as unemployed in April 2020–following the lockdown in March, a more than threefold increase from the 2.3 million unemployed in April 2019.

Due to the uncertainties, health risks, pay cuts, and companies suspending operations, some parents chose to leave their jobs and turn to full time parenting. A 2022 study revealed that the Philippines posted a 176 percent increase in voluntary resignation across all industries.

Also Read: Balak Bumalik Sa Trabaho? LinkedIn Introduces Job Titles Like 'Stay-at-Home Mom' 'Homemaker'

Are you ready to re-enter the workforce?

In a labor force survey released last January 8, the employment rate as of November 2024 was estimated at 96.8 percent. It is clear that most individuals are back on track in terms of joining the workforce again.

“...Imagine that mom or dad back in an office environment dealing with some whining, petulant and entitled team member. I want that kind of experience on my team” —David Sable, former CEO

But for parents who left the corporate world to be a full-time mom or dad, how do you explain the ‘career gap’ on your resume should you wish to return to paid work?

Would 'parenting' hurt your ‘professional experience’?

Amri Kibbler, mother of two, CCO and co-founder at HeyMama, strongly believes that motherhood should have a place on the résumé. She thinks that “Motherhood is a training ground for leadership.” According to a parenting article, Kibbler’s advocacy, Motherhood on the Resume, was born from HeyMama’s “mission to dismantle biases against working mothers and champion caregiving as a professional asset.”

Meanwhile, David Sable, author, entrepreneur, social activist, a thought leader and former CEO of a marketing and communications company, VMLY&R, thinks you should add the ‘mom’ or ‘dad’ role to your résumé.

Sable said, “Most titles are indicative of nothing more than a traditional, static hierarchy. ‘Mother’ or ‘Mom,’ on the other hand, is a functional and clear indicator of skill and experience. Management. HR. Innovation. Negotiation. Tech. BizDev…and that’s in a small portion of the day.”

Also Read: This Is What Working Moms Need to Do to Show Up at Work Each Day

Top 5 reasons why you should consider including parenting in your résumé

1. Shift in ‘career break’ perspective

A blog post from LinkedIn noted a feature that allows you to add a career break to your profile–taken for full-time parenting, for example.

According to the blog’s author, Jennifer Shappley, VP and talent acquisition professional, “...these highlighted pauses will soon show up in Recruiter when they search for candidates. You’ll be able to see how the life experiences and skills people have built while they are away will match the skills that you’re looking for in your open roles.” According to Shappley, “...nearly half of employers believe candidates with career breaks are an untapped talent pool.”

2. The time spent on caregiving becomes your asset.

Neha Ruch, the founder of Mother Untitled, the leading platform for ambitious women leaning into family life, claims that “Research is pointing to many of the skills like multitasking, time management, and empathy, and I would add some of the most profound work is the deep kind that parents have to develop when raising children like patience and perspective. I can attest that it becomes a superpower when you return to paid work out of the home.”

Also Read: A Mom Who Works Should Stop Feeling Guilty, Says Harvard Study

3. You’ve honed 5 killer work skills as a parent.

Australia’s job, employment, career, and recruitment site, Seek, highlights five ‘killer work skills’, also known as ‘mum skills’. Among the top five skills are time management, communication, people management, problem-solving, and organizational skills. Vodafone’s resourcing manager, Gaynor Topham, recommends talking about “working mum super skills” during the interview.

Also Read: Back in the Game: Restarting Your Career After a Long Baby Break

4. Parenting has made you an expert negotiator.

“And now, imagine that mom or dad back in an office environment dealing with some whining, petulant and entitled team member. I want that kind of experience on my team,” says Sable.

He adds, “Put Mom/Mother on a resume? HELL YEAH. Dad/Father, too. Do it with pride and confidence, knowing that you have an up on the competition, and let’s make sure that all of the people who interview for us understand what the power of that title really means. Could be a game-changer.”

5. Workplace leadership skills are the same skills that empower parents at home.

“Strategic planning, flexibility and innovation, are the same skills that empower fathers to become co-equal partners at home,” says Michelle Travis, author of both 'My Mom Has Two Jobs' and 'Dads for Daughters: How Fathers Can Support Girls for a Successful, Happy, Feminist Future.'

According to Travis, “Launching a 'Dad on the Resume' campaign should also reduce men’s legitimate fears about negative career stigma from visibly prioritizing their family lives. When male corporate leaders start “outing themselves” as committed dads, it will validate men’s caregiving roles. It will also provide powerful support for workplace flexibility and family leave.”

Also Read: How This Working Dad Shares the Parenting Load With His Wife

Tips for your return-to-workforce resume

Traditional résumé often prioritizes work history, which can pose challenges for stay-at-home parents re-entering the workforce. According to a career guide authored by Jane Murray, to effectively showcase your skills and shift focus away from the career gap, consider below alternative résumé formats. 

1. Functional Résumé

• Approach: Prioritize your skills and accomplishments rather than a chronological list of jobs.
• Structure: Begin with a compelling summary statement explaining your career goals and how your experiences as a stay-at-home parent have equipped you for success. Place your employment history towards the end of the resume.
• Keypoints: Include sections detailing specific skills and achievements, such as:
  Project Management: Managing household budgets, planning family activities, coordinating schedules.
  Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Negotiating with children, resolving conflicts, building strong relationships.
  Organization & Time Management: Maintaining household routines, juggling multiple tasks, meeting deadlines (e.g., school events, appointments).
  
  

2. Combination Résumé

• Approach: Blend chronological and functional elements. This is suitable if your prior work experience is relevant to the target role.
• Structure: Start with a skills section highlighting the key competencies you developed as a stay-at-home parent.
• Key points: Follow with a concise and chronological work history section.

By emphasizing your skills and achievements, you can effectively demonstrate your value to potential employers and help bridge the gap caused by your time devoted to parenting. 

More tips on writing your resume? Learn here from an HR manager.