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[40+]

*Apologies if this Q should be somewhere else, I figured this would be the more appropriate section to post*

I was young when I started having my kids and have spent the past 24 years raising them and my foster children. Only 2 kids left at home now, so I'm ready and able to enter the workforce full-time.

Over the past 14 years I've had various casual positions - mostly cleaning jobs. The position I am wanting to apply for is full-time and not a cleaning position... I have no idea what to write on a resume. I have no official experience at anything apart from cleaning and raising my kids. The position I am wanting to apply for is in a factory making canvas products.

I am literally clueless as to how to go about my resume. I have made up a draft like we were taught way back in high school, but I doubt that style applies to a 42 year old. I did discover 'functional resumes' while googling, but I have absolutely no idea how I could fill in the gaps with no official training or education.

Have you entered the workforce after raising your kids - having no education or much work experience?
Can anybody help me with how to write/present my resume?

Any help greatly appreciated.

[onetrick]

Functional resume might work as it's about what you can do, not when you did it?
I've studied career development and I'm a high school careers advisor so the type of resume you need isn't exactly.my area of expertise, but we had to write a functional resume for the course and I actually liked the way it grouped skills rather tha  a timeline...

[40+]

onetrick, on 04 December 2018 - 12:43 PM, said:

Functional resume might work as it's about what you can do, not when you did it?
I've studied career development and I'm a high school careers advisor so the type of resume you need isn't exactly.my area of expertise, but we had to write a functional resume for the course and I actually liked the way it grouped skills rather tha  a timeline...

Thanks onetrick. I was thinking that would be the way to go... I have been trying all day to try that route, but I'm still stuck. I think I have been out of this type of thing for too long and need step by step help to do it.

Thank you for your input, I appreciate it

[Grrrumbles]

Are they interested in things like good physical fitness, attention to detail, speed, following instructions? If so your cleaning experience would show that.

Fostering could be used to demonstrate inter personal skills, particularly communication and negotiation.

Do you have personal referees from schools you have volunteered at, community organisations etc?

[40+]

Thanks for your reply, Grrrumbles I ended up speaking to somebody that works there, and got some inside advice. Boss hates to read, so short and simple. Objective, employment, strengths and references, is all he should want. Thankfully my casual positions and years fostering should be enough.

[40+]

Resume is handed in *deep breath* That was nerve racking after sooooo many years!

Fingers crossed they want the extra staff asap, not after their xmas break.

[missminx]

Just wanted to wish you luck.  I hope you get it!