So what will you put on your resume when you apply for your first job in 3, 5, 10, 15 years?

Depending on the work you are applying for, this can be challenging. Challenging but not impossible.

The concept of putting Domestic Engineer or some other fancy way of describing time as a homemaker may seem amusing, but it doesnt fool anyone.

Rather, concentrate on the SKILLS you used in the various things you were doing.

Pulling skills out of activities is in itself a skill, but a skill once mastered that is easy and even fun to use.

From being a homemaker you have many, many valuable skills.

Did you volunteer? This is a job. Just because it wasnt paid, doesnt make it any less valuable as a venue where you contributed effectively and gained new skills.

You want to look carefully at the position for which you are applying and this means doing this for every position. One resume does not fit all jobs.

What skills are they asking for? What other skills, although not mentioned in words, would they obviously be very happy to find their applicant having? What other skills could be an advantage in this type of job?

If in doubt, have a look at the Occupational Information Online website at http://online.onetcenter.org/. Click on Find Occupations and from there keep entering the appropriate information to find the job you are looking for. You will find great information about what skills and personal qualities are required.

Dont be put off by any qualifications you find there. Obviously if you want to be a brain surgeon you will need some pretty hefty qualifications, but for many jobs there are ways in through just the appropriate experience and skills. And remember experience doesnt have to be paid experience!

So let us go look at just one job.

Lets say you want a position in office administration.

I choose this one because it is one of the first jobs I got when I went back to work. I was completely self taught on the computer. I have never worked in office administration in my life before, and I had no qualifications that would remotely relate.

So how did I write my resume?

Well, I made a list of the skills and personal qualities I thought applied to this job. The one Ill use here as an example is Organizational Skills.

Here is my list from which I can draw this skill and experience with it: - I organized frequent moves for a family of 5. - I was one of the two founding members who started a kindergarten which at the end of the first year had over 40 children enrolled this was volunteer work, and done because the area to which we moved when my eldest son was 5, had no kindergarten. - I have also been on the committee for several conventions and can describe my responsibilities there in more detail to draw out other skills. - I have been on the board of a womens social group, with various positions giving me various skills and responsibilities.

I didnt volunteer at the school, or help organize the girl guide cookie drive but if I had, these would provide organizational skills too.

Look carefully at your life and draw out all the things youve done. Dont be modest.

Here is a key point.

If there is ANYTHING, anything at all, that you do that you think Hey, thats nothing EVERYONE does (can do) that. STOP RIGHT THERE. There is nothing on this planet that everyone can do or does. The mere fact that whatever this is, is so natural for you that you consider that everyone must do it, is a signal that this is a SIGNIFICANT skill you possess. Write it down as a skill.

Ask everyone around you, friends, family, anyone who knows you well What would you say my top 5 strongest skills are?, and then And what are my 5 strongest personal qualities?

Youll be surprised at the responses.

Look at the position for which you are considering applying and see how these things can be worded to fit the requirements. Wording is important. I am not suggesting you lie or even exaggerate, but how you phrase things can make you seem ideal for the job, or not. So read carefully and identify exactly what they are asking for, and assuming you consider you have this skill, tell them you have exactly what they are asking for.

Job Ad includes good organizational skills. Your resume then states Excellent organization & Time Management Skills.

There is much, much more to writing an effective resume for returning to the workforce, and the skills based resume is obviously much more complex than just writing a list of skills. This is just one aspect to consider.

However, it is an important aspect and one you need to believe in. You can get back into the workforce in a job that you enjoy, that will give you a decent pay. Dont settle for less. Dont think you cant do anything just because you havent had a regular paycheck for while.

Aim high. Think big. You can do it.

Fiona MacKay Young
http://www.fionamackayyoung.com