We all know that the last thing you want to do is return to work when you have a baby, but sometimes it is unavoidable. If you want to look for a new job instead of returning to the one you had, you will need to update your resume. You haven’t worked in a few months, and prospective employers are going to want to know why.

Your skills haven’t changed. Sure, you may be a bit rusty after being away from work for a few months, but everything will come back to you pretty quickly. You do need to be able to show the length of time you spent in your previous position, the position you held, your responsibilities, etc. Of course, you also need to show that your absence from work was due to maternity leave and not for any negative reasons. Here are some tips to help you update your resume so you can find a new job and get your career back on track.

1. Talk about Training

If you took any training, online study programs, etc. while you were out on maternity leave, be sure to mention it in your resume. Not only are you showing that you are trying to improve your skills, you are also showing that you have a lot of ambition.

2. Detail References

Don’t just put down some names and contact information. Make sure that you give details about your references, such as titles. This shows that you have quality, high calibre people on your side.

3. Tailor Your Resumes

You will likely need to create a few resumes, because you will want to tailor them to the specific jobs you are applying for. Your resume should show an employer why you would be a good fit with their company. Let them know how they can utilize your skills.

4. Focus on Design

If you are just typing up your resume on Word and making the headings bold, don’t even bother wasting your time. Chances are no one is going to even look at it. You need to use the right tools, such as a resume builder, to design a resume that is going to stand out while not being too flashy.

5. Be Consistent with Fonts

You can use any font you wish, but make sure that it is one that is readable, and that you are consistent with the same font throughout your resume. Some of the most popular fonts for resumes include Palatino Linotype, Cambria, Arial, and Times New Roman. Consistency is key, so be consistent with everything, from fonts to bullet points. Check different resume samples to choose a font you like.

6. Don’t Focus on the Past

You may have done some pretty great things at your jobs in the past, but prospective employers only want to hear about what you have done lately. Mention past successes, but don’t go into great detail. Basically, don’t rest on your laurels.

7. Use One Line

Your past job titles, place of work, location, and date should all go on one line. You may need to adjust your margins in order to do this. It does look a lot better than having things on separate lines, and it is much more readable.

8. Don’t Write a Book

A prospective employer wants to be able to look at a resume and know within a minute or so if they are interested in giving the applicant an interview. Keep your resume concise and to the point. It shouldn’t be longer than two or three pages.

9. Categorize with Headers

Each section should be categorized with a header, followed by a hard line break. The header should be bolded, and larger than the font size for the details that will follow.