60, re-entering market after SAH - it CAN be done!
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Anonymous
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I’ve decided at 60, I’d like to go back to work now that the kids are grown, remote ideal. I’ve had project management experience and have an MS in a tech field. For two decades, I’ve run a small sales business online to keep myself busy. Dove deep on a hobby during the pandemic, learning as much as I could. Started by doing a small tech job for a friend’s business, for little money, just to get a little something on my resume that’s current and for the current reference. I then pursued companies that had businesses surrounding my hobby. Was able to land a job in one of those companies, helping them with technical business development. Right now it’s on a contract-basis, but it pays well, is a resume builder, and will get me experience in an industry I love, that values older workers.
So for those SAH moms or dads out there, there ARE jobs if you are flexible and persistent. It really helped that I knew the industry in the company I was applying for - they were less concerned about my ‘stale’ resume because it’s rare to find someone with experience AND who knew the products they manufacture. It also helped that I had run the little online business, because to them, it showed I was interested in working. Just wanted to put something encouraging out there. |
Anonymous
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Congratulations! I didn't leave the workforce for long. I left for about a year each time. I continued to work part time while. I work in the industry that is always hiring and doesn't care about someone's age, but how fast one can move.
While I don't make as much as people in tech, I invested my part time money the last 16 years and don't have to work much. It's just good to get out, make some money, and not touch the investments. |
Anonymous
| Way to go!! |
Anonymous
| I did something similar. While SAH, I was involved in the PTA at my kids' grammar school. When the time was right to go back to paid employment, I found a full-time job in fundraising doing pretty much what I did as a volunteer at the grammar school. |
Anonymous
| Oh hell no. I can’t wait to be done. |
Anonymous
| This is a great story. I think the takeaway is to have a foot in the door of something driven the whole time you are out of the workforce. I took several years of a non traditional path when DS was born, my resume was seamless - first year I was on extended mat leave (which doesn't show on your resume) then I took a very low key work from home job but negotiated a really good title. And finally I went back to work as an attorney but on a 70% PT basis. Always stayed aware of what I was doing and how it looked on a resume. Good for the OP. |
Anonymous
Yeah I’d add that one should also stay really active (not just a member but active) in groups like professional associations. |
Anonymous
lol.. but you have a different situation than OP's. I, too, can't wait to be done. But I was not a sahp for 20 years like. I did sah for like 2 years. Even with that short time sah it was hard to go back. |
Anonymous
| Great news, OP! Thanks for sharing your story and encouraging others who need to hear it! Bravo! |
Anonymous
| This is amazing! Congrats! |
Anonymous
| I also took about 20 years off and returned to work with ease. I volunteered a lot and kept my skills fresh during those years. I also kept in touch with people so when I returned, I had no problem finding a job. |
Anonymous
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OP, I’m interested in this part, please: “an industry I love, that values older workers. ”
What is this industry? Thank you |
Anonymous
+1 Following! |
Anonymous
| Congratulations OP! As someone planning to return to work after a lengthy career break, learning about your experiences gives me hope! |
Anonymous
Hogwarts. |