Unicorn of a job - does this exist?

[Anonymous]

I could use some career advice, please.

I am coming off a long hiatus from the workforce after being a SAHM. I am now a newly divorced single mom with two elementary aged kids who will be living with me full time. I need to find a job that I can do remote for 30-40 hours per week while my kids are in school that has flexibility in order to take them to school and pick them up in the afternoons (one of my kids requires medical appointments late afternoons twice a week). Hybrid would be hard but I could make it work if it were 1-2 days a week and I could find a dedicated babysitter.

I have 20 years experience in corporate marketing and a Masters degree. I am OK returning to something entry level and low pay to get my feet wet again; I used to be at senior manager level but know I may have to start again at an assistant level. I am also OK doing a career pivot, and have been looking at other options like a virtual secretary, but even that somehow is hard to break into. I prefer a W-2 job to a 1099. I would love benefits (paying OOP for medical for myself now, luckily kids are covered still on their dad's plan) but know I likely will not get them if not FT.

I have been scouring LinkedIn, Indeed, Idealist, SimplyHired, Upwork, SimplrFlex, FlexJobs, and other sites without much success. I have my profile submitted to temp agencies and recruiting firms, and am spending time networking, have a career coach hired, and reworked my resume.

Any suggestions I am not thinking of? The only other option I am sad to admit I am considering is cleaning houses because I can do it when the kids are at school.

[Anonymous]

I have this flexibility in the government, but I also have 10 years of credibility built up and a supervisor that I’m sticking with (despite the job being a bit boring), due to her family friendly approach. I think it’s much harder to find at an entry level role, since you’re not working independently and still need to prove yourself.

[Anonymous]

One thing to consider is applying for full time jobs just to get your feet wet. You don't have to do it forever.
Kids will have to go to before and after care. You will have to hire a college student to take kid to the appointment. (Or you may find a company that is flexible enough that you can do it.)
Have you talked to anyone from your old job pre-SAHM to ask for advice?

[Anonymous]

I would get in touch with people you used to work with. Like, now. And be frank with them that you are looking to re-enter the workforce and ask for advice/help. This is how I found a job as a former SAHM.

[Anonymous]

Could you work AT a school? Same hours as kids.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry, that’s a Decacorn job.

Remote part time with benefits and flex???

Honestly, I would try to get a job at kids school for now if you need to leave at school pickup time.

College jobs worth a look too they tend to flexible out the door.

Corporate job? Maybe a year ago…

What exactly happened to DH??? No custody, he can’t even take some appts? Elementary is so young to end a marriage.

[Anonymous]

The universe of 100% remote jobs is not very large. The universe of jobs that will let you flex your hours the way you're describing is also not very large, especially for a new employee although you could probably negotiate flexible hours after 6-12 months in a job. You have also been out of the workforce for some time and that is going to make it harder, but not impossible, to find a job. You would dramatically expand the pool of options if you were open to a hybrid arrangement of say 2 days per week in the office and you could either use aftercare or schedule your office days when your ex has his custody time.

[Anonymous]

You either need a job with someone who knows you and thus will give you flex and be tolerant of what sounds like an awful situation.

Or you need the low key stability of a city government job, like teaching or library or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The universe of 100% remote jobs is not very large. The universe of jobs that will let you flex your hours the way you're describing is also not very large, especially for a new employee although you could probably negotiate flexible hours after 6-12 months in a job. You have also been out of the workforce for some time and that is going to make it harder, but not impossible, to find a job. You would dramatically expand the pool of options if you were open to a hybrid arrangement of say 2 days per week in the office and you could either use aftercare or schedule your office days when your ex has his custody time.

Ex seems to have zero custody. Why were SAHM if such an outcome was remotely possible? Is he in prison?

[Anonymous]

Thanks from OP. Former husband has moved out of the country. He will not be very present in the kids' lives, unfortunately.

This has all happened very suddenly (divorce, need to quickly find work) and the four aftercare programs at the kids' schools have been on wait list status for months. I've been added to each but know I may need to find babysitters to make FT/hybrid work if that is the only option.

I have reached out to former colleagues and people have feelers out which is helpful. I can keep paying OOP for benefits so am not stuck on the benefit angle.

Thanks for the tips so far.

[Anonymous]

Is ex on the hook for helping to pay for childcare?

[Anonymous]

I have this job. But I have a medical degree and work at a foundation.

[Anonymous]

If you need something quickly without getting child care, paraeducators or aides work only during school hours.
I think the pay is terrible but benefits are good.

[Anonymous]

Most jobs don’t advertise being 100% remote. For example mine said it was based in Washington DC and up to 25% travel. In reality I’ve been to the office once or twice this year and never travel. I am effectively 10l% remote. But most places are looking to hire people who have the capacity to occasionally go to sites, meet with customers, travel etc., so the listings include a requirement for onsite/travel. Then, the ability to wfh is a pleasant surprise.

I think you’d find that many beltway consulting type companies are heavily wfh.

My advice would be to find some listings that really match your background and unless they specifically indicate they are on customer site, apply and see what happens.

You are highly experienced so find a good job that will either compensate you enough to hire part time help, or afford you the flexibility to manage as a single parent - rather than selling yourself short with an entry level job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is ex on the hook for helping to pay for childcare?

He will pay half.