<p>I’ve been a stay at home Mom for five years.</p>
<p>During this time, I worked part-time for two years (SPED assistant at middle school, office admin) and have also volunteered at the library and as an English as a second language tutor.</p>
<p>Prior to this, I worked in the software industry, starting out as a tech writer and tech support, working my way into product management and marketing.</p>
<p>I have a liberal arts education including a (non-relevant) master’s degree and some work on a PhD.</p>
<p>I’ve now found an interesting volunteer opportunity in an academic setting. They prefer people with experience in the field, and I’m sure a recent college grad considering grad school would be their ideal candidate.</p>
<p>They ask applicants to provide a resume.</p>
<p>What are your thoughts about how I should present myself in this situation? Would a snappy cover letter showing my intellectual interest in the topic (although I have no background in it)? Should I list my volunteer work or does that just peg me as an undesirable suburban housewife?</p>
<p>I also read extensively, especially in the area of sociology.</p>
<p>I like the idea of a well-written cover letter that demonstrates your interest/currency in the field and briefly explains the importance of what you’ve been doing during your employment hiatus.</p>
<p>I was a work at home Mom for 20 years and started working a “real” job just a year and a half ago. I had a pretty untraditional resume loaded with volunteer experience, a home business and dated traditional job experience and a college degree that had nothing to do with what I wanted to do.</p>
<p>I was suprised at how much credence my volunteer experience was given. I would suggest putting all of that in there. I also made sure to include two letters of reference from the professional people that I worked with. Definately add the snappy cover letter.</p>
<p>I would put together a solid cover letter and a factual resume. Do not leave off the resume anything that might be relevant to their position, simply because it might be volunteer work or part time work. Be sure to include a section on interests. Also include all employment whether it seems relevant or not.</p>
<p>I run a retail store. I get resumes all the time. Since I almost never have an applicant with “relevant” employment experience I am digging digging digging in interviews to find the sparks that I can fan into a great employee flame. Give me some sparks in the resume – or even just kindling!</p>
<p>Ooooh … that’s where you would be surprised.</p>
<p>I like people who like to shop – they like to create an experience that other shoppers enjoy. Definitely a SAHM mom skill. They also have great fashion sense – which is a big help.</p>
<p>I like people who like to organize. They help me keep the register area under control and the back room also. Another great SAHM skill.</p>
<p>I like people who like to help other people. Great customer service is a result. SAHMs are often very good at that!</p>
<p>Someone who has been an SAHM generally has a good handle on teenagers. Since probably half my payroll budget goes to high school teens – they make great supervisors.</p>
<p>Now to work in <em>my</em> shop, you also have to like animals including birds, reptiles, crickets, and rodents, not be afraid of the dratted computer, be willing to lift and carry fifty lbs, and not be afraid to get dirty. And then clean up well. If you can do all that and like flexible hours – come on down!</p>