Apply Job After Being Domestic Engineer

I just read through almost 200 applications for one job we are hiring for. Do not use the term "domestic" anything. If anything, use a phrase like "family responsibilities" and do not elaborate too much at all. It may not seem fair, but the truth is that when you mention that you left a job to become a domestic engineer, employers may question your 100% commitment to working now. I know it isn't fair, but that is how it is.

In this economy it seems like there are a lot of non-traditional resumes because some folks are returning to work after retirement due to the crash and spouses who never thought they would have to work and now trying to find work because their partners have been laid-off. I saw quite a few resumes from folks with very powerful degrees who are working at restaurants and Starbucks while they are trying to survive. I am mentioning this so that you will see that having a gap is not that unusually now...and anyone reviewing your resume will be able to figure out that you probably have been a stay at home parents during the "gap" without your elaborating.

Do not use the term domestic engineer unless you want them to laugh before they pass on hiring you.

Domestic engineer was a term created probably late 60's or 70's by feminists who thought being a 'housewife' was seen as boring and wanted to sound professional, even though they were still housewives. Most stay at home moms nowadays (and for the past couple of decades) simply call themselves stay at home moms, they are not embarrassed to not hold a paid job even if they have a college degree. It's a very dated term and you do not have an engineering degree. This is not something to include on a resume. Now, if you were Treasurer for the PTO or Editor of the school newsletter, that IS something to include.
Good luck in your job search. I would suggest using an employment counselor to help you to craft the best possible resume.

My husband is a mechanical engineer. He worked really hard for the title of engineer and gets really aggravated when people use it for other things (ie: things that didn't require years of schooling). If I were looking at your resume, I'd chunk it if I saw that term. Staying home with your kids is laudable, don't try to make it look better by slapping a fancy title on it and "stylizing" words. Just be honest.

Please please please do not say you were a domestic engineer. Simply list your paid employment history and include a short mention of being out of the job market for family reasons in your cover letter. You can discuss the fact that you didn't have a work visa and then had triplets at the interview.

I have hired tons of people in my career and I absolutely would not call someone for an interview if they listed domestic engineer on their resume. I might call someone who listed stay at home parent, but probably not. A resume is for paid and volunteer work only. Leave the home stuff at home.

Please, I beg you, do NOT use the term "domestic engineer." It's an incredibly stupid phrase that will land your resume in the recycle bit immediately. If you are applying for an HR position, this ridiculous, outdated phrase will label you as outdated immediately.

I don't know what the answer is, to be honest with you, but using a silly phrase to try to treat being at home like it was a paid office job is not the right answer. It demeans the very valuable choice you made to spend time raising your children but also would tick off whoever is reading your resume.

Make sure that you have someone whose first language is English proofread your resume and any letters or emails you send out. I am not trying to be rude by pointing out mistakes you have made in your question here, but you have several, and the last thing you want is to write improper English when trying to get an interview. You won't get your foot in the door for an interview if you have mistakes in your writing.

Take some notes down (have that English checked as well) for talking to people on the phone. That should help you as well.

Oh, and please don't actually write on your resume that you have triplets!!!

Good luck in your job search!

Dawn

I had a gap of 15 years when I decided to go back to work - I put that I was a stay-at-home mother even tho I prefer the term "Domestic Goddess." I also had done a lot of volunteering at the schools my kids went to so I put that as well. Put down anything that would indicate you've kept in touch with the outside world - computer programs, etc.

As for getting "cute" on you resume, I wouldn't suggest it. Depending on what type of job you're going for, you could get creative during the application (or interview) process. I applied for a cashier job - my creative response apparently caught the attention of the manager because I got the job!!! In the spot where it asked why I wanted the job - I was totally honest - I put that I thot the store was a mess and I could straighten it up! It worked!!

Good luck!!

Research what the job you want requires and apply your stay at home skills to them - ex. multitasking, organization, etc.

I work as a career consultant for an outplacement company, where I teach job search skills to people who have been laid off from their jobs. The only information that goes on a resume is work experience, education, and skills. You do not need to justify your time out of the workforce. Instead you need to focus on your experience in HR, any computer skills, and the education you've had. Only put volunteer work on a resume if it is relevant to the work you want to do next. If you have led committees, run successful fundraisers, or something like that, these experiences may be relevant.

Do not put any personal information on a resume, such as information about your children. It is not legal for interviewers to ask for that information and they may reject your resume immediately to avoid legal issues.

Go to a site like www.indeed.com and find 4 or 5 job descriptions that describe the type of work you would like to do. Carefully review the words and phrases that are repeatedly used in these descriptions. Use as many of these words and phrases on your resume as possible, while still being accurate. Only apply for jobs where you meet the majority of the requirements, otherwise you will spend a lot of time submitting applications. Also, let people know that you are looking for work and the type of work you are hoping to find. Employee referrals are one way to get the attention of the hiring manager.

I agree that temp agencies/ contract companies can be a good way to gain some current experience. Some of these contracts turn into longer term employment also.

Just be honest and thorough. Put down any volunteer work you've done, especially at your kids' school. Make sure you include that you had triplets and were home taking care of them. Don't get too cutesy on your resume....if you get called in for an interview and get good "vibes" from your interviewer, use that situation to really showcase your personality.

I'm in the Bay Area too and was off work for 11 years with children. Prior to that I worked for 10 years in fundraising. It was very difficult to get a job. I ended up getting a job through a former boss who knew my work. Networking is key. When I started working it did take me a while to get up to speed. Your work skills do get rusty when you aren't using them. But, you get them back fast once you get going. On my resume I including the volunteer work I did at my children's schools as "experience". Good-luck.