Put your parenting skills to good use

Time taken out for parenting should never leave you with a ‘gap’ in your CV.  In fact, it is an opportunity to update your CV with all the fabulous new transferable skills you have gained!

Transferable skills are skills that can be used in more than one setting.  Everyone has skills that can be used in a variety of settings.  Five main areas have been identified as transferable skills and more specific skills are offshoots of these.

The following list contains some examples of transferable skills you may have both from your working life and your non-working life.  Have a look through it and identify the ones that may apply to you.

Communication Skills

• Listen attentively
• Speak effectively
• Write concisely
• Express ideas
• Negotiate
• Provide effective feedback
• Persuade others
• Report information
• Describe feelings
• Interview

Research and Planning Skills

• Create ideas
• Identify problems
• Solve problems
• Gather information
• Identify resources
• Set goals
• Define needs
• Prioritise
• Analyse
• Develop evaluation strategies

Human Relations

• Listen actively
• Develop rapport
• Provide support for others
• Motivate
• Counsel
• Advocate for others
• Co-operate with others
• Delegate with respect
• Perceive situations
• Be assertive

Organisation, Management and Leadership

• Co-ordinate tasks
• Initiate new ideas
• Manage groups
• Coach others
• Promote change
• Influence others
• Manage conflict
• Delegate responsibility
• Supervise others
• Prioritise tasks

Work Survival

• Co-operate with others
• Be punctual
• Manage time
• Meet goals
• Diligent with detail
• Accept responsibility
• Be reliable
• Set and meet deadlines
• Make decisions
• Implement decisions

Once you have identified your transferable skills from the above list, think of some examples that will back up your claims.  These examples may be from your past working days or your experience gained by parenting.  Once you have done this, a Personal Skills and Competencies section can be added at the front of your CV, giving you a place to include these details. 

The Personal Skills and Competencies section should be tailored to every job that you apply for; all the skills you set out should be relevant for the role you are targeting.  This can be done by obtaining a copy of the position description or using the advertisement itself.  Highlight any key areas, and identify the skill set required.  Then match the skills required to the skills you have, easy!

Your CV is a very important marketing tool and to promote yourself in the most effective way, you need to be aware of all your skills both transferable and specific.  

For advice on planning and managing career issues and transitions, contact anne@careeranalysts.co.nz or +64 9 356 9758. Visit www.careeranalysts.co.nz for a comprehensive range of online tools and services that can help you to get your career sorted.