I am a stay-at-home mom looking to re-enter the workplace after a four year absence.  I know being out of work for so long is detrimental to my search. However, the skills that I use at home on an everyday basis are essentially the same as the skills I used in the workplace. How do I market these skills as beneficial?

Also, How do I market myself as an asset to a company when I know that I am capable of performing the tasks that they list in the job posting even if I do not have all of the required skills or education; i.e. a posting says 4 year degree or 2-5 years related experience, proficient in MS Word, Exel and Power Point. I do not have the degree but do have the experience and I am proficient in Word and at a beginner level in Power Point and Exel but extremely capable of learning the essentials quickly.

I have tried many different ways of marketing myself and have gotten no where. I can't even get a call back for an interview.

Just a few hints, maybe there is something I am not doing or could change.

Hi Katielong4,

It's always challenging to reenter the job market after an absence, but not impossible -- so hang in there! You can create a section for your last four years and include the skills and accomplishments that are relevant to your career goal. This article has more information:
Resume Tips for Parents Returning to Work

When you find a job posting that interests you but the requirements don't match perfectly with your experience, you can still apply for the position and emphasize what you do offer as well as your ability to quickly learn new programs. If you find that job ads frequently request skills that you aren't proficient in, start building your skills now (even through independent study). Your cover letter can explain that you are currently developing your PowerPoint and Excel skills.

Does your resume have a "Qualifications Summary"? If you include a section like this to introduce yourself and highlight your strongest credentials, employers should want to interview you and not be so concerned about the apparent "gap" on your resume.

Wishing you good luck in your job search!

A quick way to certify your ms software skills may be gcflearnfree.org. they offer free classes to get into, but registration times are limited and fill fast. Once complete, you get ceu's. It will also look like you have been honing your skills in your off time, though if you actually know the software, you can complete the courses in a matter of hours over a few days, as the assignments issue out.