Resume for Stay-at-Home Mom Returning to Work: Real Tips In 2025

💬 “I’ve been out of the workforce for years. Who would hire me now?”

You’re not alone. Thousands of women — whether stay-at-home moms, caregivers, homemakers, or simply those who took a career break — feel the same fear when thinking about returning to work or starting a freelance career.

You’ve probably asked yourself:

🔹 “What do I even write in my resume?”
🔹 “Will anyone take me seriously after such a long break?”
🔹 “I have no experience… or do I?”

Let’s flip the script. You do have experience — valuable, real-world skills that are transferable. This guide will show you how to turn those “invisible” years into a strong, client-attracting portfolio and resume for stay-at-home mom.

✅ What You’ll Find in This Guide

• How to structure your resume for housewife or homemaking experience
• What to write if you have a long employment gap
• How to highlight soft skills + homemaking experience
• How to build a freelance portfolio even if you’re just starting
• Real-life resume bullet points and sample phrasing

🔹 Step 1: Choose the Right Format

If you’re crafting a resume for a mom returning to work, focus on clarity, confidence, and the real-life experience that employers value.

Many women feel unsure about how to format a resume after years at home. Whether you’re creating a resume for homemaker returning to work or exploring freelancing, the right format builds trust instantly.

Key Sections to Include:

1. Professional Summary
2. Skills Section (include soft + hard skills)
3. Experience (paid/unpaid/freelance/volunteer)
4. Education
5. Certifications or Courses (optional)

If you’re applying for remote or freelance jobs, you might also want to include a Portfolio or Website section. Before you start creating, decide where your portfolio will live. Here are 3 beginner-friendly options:

1. Google Drive Folder (fastest)

• Create a public folder with polished PDF examples, titled clearly (e.g., “Social Media Graphics”, “Blog Writing Samples”).
• Share the link in your proposals.

2. Free Portfolio Website (recommended)

• Use tools like Notion, Carrd, or Wix to create a simple landing page.
• Include: About Me, Work Samples, Services, and Contact Info.
• Add images, links, and a short description under each sample.

3. LinkedIn Profile (professional credibility)

• Update your title to reflect your freelance goal: “Virtual Assistant for Coaches | Inbox + Calendar” or “Freelance Graphic Designer | Canva + Branding”
• Use the “Featured” section to upload samples or link to your portfolio site.
• Add your freelance services to the “Experience” section — even if you’re just starting.

🔹 Step 2: Create 2–3 Mock Projects

No experience? No problem. Create “portfolio pieces” based on pretend clients. This is especially helpful when building a resume for stay-at-home mom with no formal job titles. Here’s how, if you want to be a:

🔹 Step 3: Offer One Free Project (Smartly)

To build trust and get testimonials, offer one small free project — but do it wisely:

• Reach out to a mompreneur, local brand, or non-profit.
• Keep the project limited: e.g., “I’d love to design 3 Pinterest pins for you in exchange for feedback.”
• Request a testimonial and permission to showcase the work.

You can say:

“Hi! I’m building my freelance portfolio and would love to offer you a one-time free [service]. In return, I’d appreciate a short review and permission to use the sample in my portfolio.”

🔹 Step 4: Package Your Samples Like a Pro

Make every project look client-ready:

• Title: “Email Management for Busy Coach”
• Before/After: Screenshots, performance improvement (if possible)
• Your Role: “Set up labels, organized folders, daily inbox check-in”
• Tools Used: Gmail, Canva, Trello, ChatGPT, etc.
• Timeframe: 1 week

Optional: Turn each into a 1-page PDF case study using Canva — super polished, easy to share.

🔹 Step 5: Optimize for ATS and Employers

Most companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes before a human even sees them. Here’s how to make sure yours gets through:

• Use standard job titles (e.g., “Administrative Assistant,” not “Office Ninja”)
• Mirror keywords from the job description
• Save as a .docx or .pdf (unless the application says otherwise)
• Avoid images, text boxes, or fancy formatting
• Use clear, traditional headings like “Experience” or “Education”

Employers are looking for clarity and relevance. Use a clean, modern format and stick to one page if possible (two if you’ve had a long career).

🔹 Step 6: Share Your Portfolio (Even if It’s Small)

Don’t wait until it’s “perfect.” Start applying for jobs or reaching out to leads.

Where to share it:

• Add to Fiverr, Upwork, LinkedIn, or Facebook groups
• Include the link in your email signature
• Send in a cold pitch: “Here’s a quick look at my portfolio!”

Where to Find Resume Templates

You don’t have to start from scratch. Here are a few trusted sources with free and premium templates:

• Canva – Easy to customize, great visuals
• Zety – ATS-friendly and clean formatting
• Novoresume – Offers guidance with each section
• ResumeGenius – Great for quick builds

Choose a clean format without too much design unless you’re applying to creative roles.

🔹 What to Avoid

• Waiting for “real” clients first
• Using low-quality images or messy formatting
• Including too many services (focus on 1–2 to start)

💡 Bonus: Track Your Progress in Notion

Create a simple Notion dashboard to track:

• Services you offer
• Portfolio samples
• Testimonials collected
• Skills/tools you’ve learned

It helps you stay motivated and organized!

💡 Your Next Step: From a Polished Resume to a Powerful Portfolio

A perfect resume opens the door, but a strong portfolio is what gets you the job. It’s the visual proof of the skills you’ve listed. If you’re wondering how to showcase your abilities when you have no recent clients, I’ve created a step-by-step guide just for you.

➡️ Read Now: How to Create a Freelance Portfolio From Scratch (5 Mom-Friendly Strategies)

💻 Ready to Start?

Even with no clients yet, you can build a real portfolio. One that helps you stand out and land your first job. Start today — your future freelance self will thank you.

And if you’re starting as a Virtual Assistant, check out my full step-by-step guide

👉 How to Become a Virtual Assistant (with No Experience)