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Stepping back into paid work after raising children can stir up all kinds of feelings: excitement, nerves, and maybe a bit of self-doubt. One of the first challenges is often the resume. How do you explain the gap in experience on your resume, or do you even need to? And how do you show employers your unique skills and experience?

This guide walks you through how to present your resume confidently and professionally, whether you’re applying for full time or part time work, or exploring a new career altogether.

A career break doesn’t define you

Career breaks are common, and they don’t mean you’re any less capable or committed. Many parents take time out of the workforce to focus on family. Others may take a break for health, study, or other caring commitments. The important thing is showing an employer that you’re ready and motivated to return to  work.

Instead of seeing the gap as a weakness, frame it as part of your journey along your career path. 

Parenting brings you transferable skills

Parenting involves a huge set of skills that translate directly into the workplace. Think about all the times you’ve managed schedules, solved problems on the fly, managed conflicts, or stayed calm under pressure. These are core workplace strengths.

For example:

• Juggling appointments, school, and home life demonstrates strong time management.
• Planning daily routines and managing household budgets shows organisational ability.
• Supporting children’s learning develops patience and adaptability.

These are the kinds of qualities that recruiters and employers look for, even if they didn’t come from traditional work experience.

Structuring your resume after time away

When updating your resume, the goal is to make it easy for a recruiter or hiring manager to see your strengths straight away. Here are some practical steps:

Start with a summary statement

Include a short paragraph at the top of your resume highlighting your strengths and motivation to return to the workforce. For example:

‘Customer service professional returning to work after a career break. Skilled in communication, problem-solving, and time management, with a strong interest in starting a new career in retail.’

This is a quick way to give out a short introduction to who you are and what you’re looking for. 

Highlight skills and achievements

Create a section that lists your key skills and experience. This should be high up on your resume, as it’s the section employers often look at first.

Use examples from both formal jobs and unpaid roles. For instance, managing school fundraising could show leadership and budgeting abilities. Volunteering at a community centre demonstrates initiative and teamwork. Don’t hesitate to include volunteer activities — they count as valuable work experience.

Organise your experience section

When it comes to the experience section, you have choices:

If you have previous jobs, list them as normal under ‘Professional experience’.

For your career gap, you can either leave it blank and explain in your cover letter, or briefly note the time period and reason you took time off. 

It’s generally recommended to list your professional experience from the most recent one to the oldest. 

Showcasing new learning and growth

Employers appreciate people who continue developing even while away from paid work. If you’ve picked up new skills, like digital skills, childcare qualifications, or short online courses, make sure they appear clearly.

This can be included under a ‘Professional development’ or ‘Training’ section. Even informal learning counts: for example, teaching yourself bookkeeping software to help with family finances demonstrates initiative and willingness to learn.

Tips for returning parents

Parents re-entering the workforce often worry about being judged for taking time away. But remember that caring for children is valuable life work experience. Highlight it alongside your work history, especially if it shows traits like leadership, empathy, or reliability.

You might write something like:

‘2020–2023: Took time out of the workforce to raise young children, while undertaking community volunteer work and professional development.’

Keep the description short, purposeful, and honest. 

Turning a break into a strength

A career break can actually make your resume more compelling. It shows resilience, adaptability, and the ability to balance competing demands. If you’ve been active in your community, volunteered, or studied, those experiences show commitment and drive.

Employers don’t expect every candidate to have a straight line through their career path. What they value is honesty, self-awareness, and a clear sense of where you’re heading next. Show your transferable skills, highlight community or informal roles, and present your readiness for the future.

Also remember that job searches can take time, especially if you’re looking to head into a new field. And if you’re not feeling ready to apply for jobs yet or unsure what work you’d enjoy doing, taking up something new to study can help you steer into a new direction.

If you’d like extra support in building confidence or planning your next steps, Parent Pathways mentors can help build out your resume, practise your interview skills, or explore other study and work options. You can learn more about the program here.