You’ve taken a career break, whether to raise your children, care for a loved one, or simply take time out to reflect on your next steps. But as you open your old CV (or stare at a blank page), you might find yourself thinking Where do I even start? The good news is you already have so much to offer and these will be the skills the employers want, I promise.

Own your career break 

First things first, be honest about your career break. There’s no need to cover it up or make excuses. Life happens and employers are becoming much more understanding and open-minded about gaps in employment. You can simply include a line like:

“Following a successful career break to raise my family, I’m now ready to re-enter the workplace with a fresh perspective, renewed energy and with strong transferable skills.”

Transferable skills? You’ve got loads! Being a mum has equipped you with so many skills employers love:

• Time management – you’ve juggled schedules, meal plans and school runs like a pro.
• Problem solving – whether it’s a toddler tantrum or a last-minute costume crisis, you know how to think on your feet.
• Negotiation – you’ve got the patience of a saint and the negotiation skills of a seasoned diplomat.
• Communication – from parent evenings to managing household logistics, you’ve mastered clear, calm and effective communication.

These aren’t just ‘mum skills’, they’re professional strengths. Don’t underestimate them.

Voluntary work counts too 

Been part of the PTA? Helped at school events? Supported your community through volunteering? Completed a Successful Mums Course? That’s gold dust on a CV.

It shows initiative, team spirit and commitment. Include it, it counts. You can list this under a section like Voluntary Experience or Community Involvement.

PTA Committee Member, Local Primary School
Organised fundraising events, collaborated with teachers and parents, managed budgets and communications.

Back to Work Confidence Course – Successful Mums Career Academy

Digital Skills – Successful Mums Career Academy

Tailor your CV

A one-size-fits-all CV just doesn’t cut it anymore. If you really want to catch an employer’s eye, you need to tailor your CV for each role you apply for.  

This means taking a close look at the job description and identifying the key skills, experience and qualities they’re asking for. Then, match those to your own strengths and highlight them clearly on your CV.  

And here’s a top tip – use the same keywords from the job ad. Many companies use automated systems to scan CVs for specific terms, so using their language helps you get noticed.  

Be proud

Your career break is part of your journey, not a gap but a chapter that helped you grow. Employers value resilience, adaptability, and real-life experience  and you bring all of that as a women returner or mother.

Bonus Tip – add a cover letter

A CV shows what you’ve done. A cover letter tells your story. It’s your chance to explain the career break and show your enthusiasm for returning to work. Employers love seeing motivation, honesty and potential.

Next step?

We’ve supported over 12,000 mums, if you need help with your CV or a confidence boost check out our course HERE, register your interest and one of our team will be in touch.

Successful Mums Career Academy is an award-winning training company, providing funded courses to help mums get career ready or start their own business. We provide direction, clarity and the confidence to make it happen. Plus, we have great links with a network of flexible friendly employers.