SAHM re-entry into the workforce

[Anonymous]

It can be done. A good friend of mine went back to work after 9 years out of the work force. She might have been lucky, but she found a job in her former field right away and has been really, really happy in her career. (and got a $30K raise very early on.) She now regrets staying home in the first place, but I told her that you never know, she could have gotten laid off or burned out trying to balance everything, so try not to question the decision she made. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

While it sucks to hear that some managers may question the commitment, I think it's valid in this economy. It's possible in the last couple of years that a spouse has gotten laid off and so the SAHM is applying for work. I could see how it might be feasible that some women have gotten hired, and after a year or two once their spouse is in a more stable position, quit. The fact is, turnover looks really bad and managers at least in my organization are judged poorly if they hire someone who doesn't work out.

That said, a good manager should give someone the benefit of the doubt and interview them, and decide at that point their level of commitment, rather than just decide on paper. I think you can tell a lot from a good round of interviews.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While it sucks to hear that some managers may question the commitment, I think it's valid in this economy. It's possible in the last couple of years that a spouse has gotten laid off and so the SAHM is applying for work. I could see how it might be feasible that some women have gotten hired, and after a year or two once their spouse is in a more stable position, quit. The fact is, turnover looks really bad and managers at least in my organization are judged poorly if they hire someone who doesn't work out.

That said, a good manager should give someone the benefit of the doubt and interview them, and decide at that point their level of commitment, rather than just decide on paper. I think you can tell a lot from a good round of interviews.

15:03 here....so if a SAHM mom has to go to work b/c her spouse was laid off, she is viewed as not as committed? I would think that this person was doing everything to keep her family afloat, so she would be MORE committed than a young 20 something with no family. And, she would, at least temporarily, have someone at home looking after her kids--her HUSBAND. I get that women re-entering may have a learning curve, but I'm not sure these responses pass the stereotyping sniff test. I hope that women aren't avoiding interviewing/hiring formerly SAHMs based on stereotypes, or the bad egg that doesn't last.

[Anonymous]

I quit my job to be a SAHM and it was probably one of the worst decisions I have ever made. I had to quit because my spouse went overseas and I had no help with my newborn child aside from a childcare provider, but I would have not been able to put in the long hours, travel etc. that my job required without the help of my spouse since we do not have family here. I left my position with a heavy heart.

I stayed home for about 12 months and then I found a PT job (20-30 hrs/week) that allowed me to stay current in my skills and it also gave me an extremely flexible schedule. I've been in this position for about 3 years now. I make a fraction of what I was making in my previous FT job and I have no benefits. I would like to go back to work FT next Fall when our DC enters school.

I remember being scrutinized heavily my hiring managers when I looked for a job after staying home for 12 months. I can only imagine how difficult it must be after being home for years. There are lots of working moms in this town who make it work and I feel that they may not be too sympathetic to SAHM's. At least this is the feeling that I got when I reentered.

I think that many companies would rather give a younger person a shot at a job because they may not have as many commitments and they are able to work longer hours etc. I don't necessarily think that a SAHM reentering the workforce (whether she HAS to or wants to) is more committed than a younger woman. I have worked with many young, professional and very sharp women, especially in this town. I think that you have to be able to go the extra mile for an employer if you are reentering the workforce and make this very clear and than back it up. I don't think that the PP was especially harsh, but rather truthful because these ARE the types of questions that you will encounter when you go on an interview. So, you better prepare yourself, get all your ducks in a row and if you are lucky enough to get hired, make sure that you are well prepared to be successful. This is a different economy, ladies.

[Anonymous]

I'm a headhunter OP. LinkedIn is vital. We often avoid doing postings because we get too many replies. But, we all look at LinkedIn profiles. You'll do fine. Mid-30s is fine. I'm mid-50s and I have had to re-create myself several times when my cos. went out of business or I was down-sized.

Good luck! Don't listen to the naysayers. Just look as good as you can...learn all of the computer stuff you can learn and go in with a great attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I quit my job to be a SAHM and it was probably one of the worst decisions I have ever made. I had to quit because my spouse went overseas and I had no help with my newborn child aside from a childcare provider, but I would have not been able to put in the long hours, travel etc. that my job required without the help of my spouse since we do not have family here. I left my position with a heavy heart.

I stayed home for about 12 months and then I found a PT job (20-30 hrs/week) that allowed me to stay current in my skills and it also gave me an extremely flexible schedule. I've been in this position for about 3 years now. I make a fraction of what I was making in my previous FT job and I have no benefits. I would like to go back to work FT next Fall when our DC enters school.

I remember being scrutinized heavily my hiring managers when I looked for a job after staying home for 12 months. I can only imagine how difficult it must be after being home for years. There are lots of working moms in this town who make it work and I feel that they may not be too sympathetic to SAHM's. At least this is the feeling that I got when I reentered.

I think that many companies would rather give a younger person a shot at a job because they may not have as many commitments and they are able to work longer hours etc. I don't necessarily think that a SAHM reentering the workforce (whether she HAS to or wants to) is more committed than a younger woman. I have worked with many young, professional and very sharp women, especially in this town. I think that you have to be able to go the extra mile for an employer if you are reentering the workforce and make this very clear and than back it up. I don't think that the PP was especially harsh, but rather truthful because these ARE the types of questions that you will encounter when you go on an interview. So, you better prepare yourself, get all your ducks in a row and if you are lucky enough to get hired, make sure that you are well prepared to be successful. This is a different economy, ladies.

In the DC metro area, I think this is key. I can see a hiring manager who sees a company full of working moms thinking "well why couldn't this woman hack it..." It doesn't matter if a woman says she "choose" to stay home. Many men and women hear this as "couldn't hack working and taking care of kids/home"

[Anonymous]

It takes 12 seconds to join LinkedIn. Why would someone considering a job hunt not be on it? What's the downside? It shows that you may be out of touch--the one thing you're trying to avoid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I quit my job to be a SAHM and it was probably one of the worst decisions I have ever made. I had to quit because my spouse went overseas and I had no help with my newborn child aside from a childcare provider, but I would have not been able to put in the long hours, travel etc. that my job required without the help of my spouse since we do not have family here. I left my position with a heavy heart.

I stayed home for about 12 months and then I found a PT job (20-30 hrs/week) that allowed me to stay current in my skills and it also gave me an extremely flexible schedule. I've been in this position for about 3 years now. I make a fraction of what I was making in my previous FT job and I have no benefits. I would like to go back to work FT next Fall when our DC enters school.

I remember being scrutinized heavily my hiring managers when I looked for a job after staying home for 12 months. I can only imagine how difficult it must be after being home for years. There are lots of working moms in this town who make it work and I feel that they may not be too sympathetic to SAHM's. At least this is the feeling that I got when I reentered.

I think that many companies would rather give a younger person a shot at a job because they may not have as many commitments and they are able to work longer hours etc. I don't necessarily think that a SAHM reentering the workforce (whether she HAS to or wants to) is more committed than a younger woman. I have worked with many young, professional and very sharp women, especially in this town. I think that you have to be able to go the extra mile for an employer if you are reentering the workforce and make this very clear and than back it up. I don't think that the PP was especially harsh, but rather truthful because these ARE the types of questions that you will encounter when you go on an interview. So, you better prepare yourself, get all your ducks in a row and if you are lucky enough to get hired, make sure that you are well prepared to be successful. This is a different economy, ladies.

In the DC metro area, I think this is key. I can see a hiring manager who sees a company full of working moms thinking "well why couldn't this woman hack it..." It doesn't matter if a woman says she "choose" to stay home. Many men and women hear this as "couldn't hack working and taking care of kids/home"[/quote]

This is just so depressing to me...I thought the entire point of women's lib was to allow women the freedom to choose. Obviously women are punishing women for making different choices. That may the reality, but it makes me cringe. I feel such a strong bond to women, just for being one. Obviously not everyone has the same loyalty. And, by that, I don't mean that you should always hire a woman over a man. It just means that you are not consider the lives of your mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While it sucks to hear that some managers may question the commitment, I think it's valid in this economy. It's possible in the last couple of years that a spouse has gotten laid off and so the SAHM is applying for work. I could see how it might be feasible that some women have gotten hired, and after a year or two once their spouse is in a more stable position, quit. The fact is, turnover looks really bad and managers at least in my organization are judged poorly if they hire someone who doesn't work out.

That said, a good manager should give someone the benefit of the doubt and interview them, and decide at that point their level of commitment, rather than just decide on paper. I think you can tell a lot from a good round of interviews.

15:03 here....so if a SAHM mom has to go to work b/c her spouse was laid off, she is viewed as not as committed? I would think that this person was doing everything to keep her family afloat, so she would be MORE committed than a young 20 something with no family. And, she would, at least temporarily, have someone at home looking after her kids--her HUSBAND. I get that women re-entering may have a learning curve, but I'm not sure these responses pass the stereotyping sniff test. I hope that women aren't avoiding interviewing/hiring formerly SAHMs based on stereotypes, or the bad egg that doesn't last.

But this is the DC area. There are a lot of folks here really passionate about their work and not just doing it for a paycheck. It's competitive. The point is if I as a manager feel that someone is taking a job until the next big thing comes along, whether that means them getting another job or their spouse getting something better, and I can sense that in an interview, why would I hire that person if there is a pool of competitive people I feel will want to grow with the organization?

And what do you mean she would have someone temporarily taking care of her kids? I would hope someone seriously ready to get back into the workforce has lined up something beyond temporary childcare.

It doesn't sound like OP would be in this situation and I'm betting her energy and enthusiasm for re-entering the workforce will shine through in an interview. I was simply answering the question as to why some managers might question the commitment. Not saying it's right.

[Anonymous]

In the DC metro area, I think this is key. I can see a hiring manager who sees a company full of working moms thinking "well why couldn't this woman hack it..." It doesn't matter if a woman says she "choose" to stay home. Many men and women hear this as "couldn't hack working and taking care of kids/home"[/quote]

This is just so depressing to me...I thought the entire point of women's lib was to allow women the freedom to choose. Obviously women are punishing women for making different choices. That may the reality, but it makes me cringe. I feel such a strong bond to women, just for being one. Obviously not everyone has the same loyalty. And, by that, I don't mean that you should always hire a woman over a man. It just means that you are not consider the lives of your mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends.


You need to stop living in the dream world, lady. This is 2011 and we have 9.1% unemployment and it is the EMPLOYER who is in the driver's seat not vice versa. This may sound really harsh, but that is reality. I don't like it either and I wish I could stay with my DC and not work until 10 pm each night, but I have to do what I can to stay competitive and in the running. You can feel all the bonding that you want to, but the hiring manager (especially if it is a female) is not going to be touchy-feely. They want to know what you are bringing to the table and it better be damn good because the line of people behind you wanting the same job is long and nobody want to hear about your childcare issues etc. It is a sad truth, but then this is America.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

In the DC metro area, I think this is key. I can see a hiring manager who sees a company full of working moms thinking "well why couldn't this woman hack it..." It doesn't matter if a woman says she "choose" to stay home. Many men and women hear this as "couldn't hack working and taking care of kids/home"[/quote]

This is just so depressing to me...I thought the entire point of women's lib was to allow women the freedom to choose. Obviously women are punishing women for making different choices. That may the reality, but it makes me cringe. I feel such a strong bond to women, just for being one. Obviously not everyone has the same loyalty. And, by that, I don't mean that you should always hire a woman over a man. It just means that you are not consider the lives of your mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends.


You need to stop living in the dream world, lady. This is 2011 and we have 9.1% unemployment and it is the EMPLOYER who is in the driver's seat not vice versa. This may sound really harsh, but that is reality. I don't like it either and I wish I could stay with my DC and not work until 10 pm each night, but I have to do what I can to stay competitive and in the running. You can feel all the bonding that you want to, but the hiring manager (especially if it is a female) is not going to be touchy-feely. They want to know what you are bringing to the table and it better be damn good because the line of people behind you wanting the same job is long and nobody want to hear about your childcare issues etc. It is a sad truth, but then this is America.

Boy, you aren't into female bonding. But, if we just say this is reality, without making change, then what will become of our daughters?

[Anonymous]

OP, after 6 years at home, I sent out resumes applying for jobs slightly lower than my last position. You might consider this strategy because it worked for me. I had several offers in just a few weeks, took one, and was promoted and given a raise within 18 months.

I've just hit the 2 year mark being back at work. Yes, there was some divide with younger colleagues who seemed to look down on me at first. They seemed to think that because I'd been home, I had outdated skills or wouldn't be willing to work as hard. And, it's harder to establish friendships at work because I just don't have time to go after drinks after work anymore. But I think I've earned their respect, and certainly have earned the recognition of my supervision who keeps loading me up with more responsibility.

[Anonymous]

quote]

Boy, you aren't into female bonding. But, if we just say this is reality, without making change, then what will become of our daughters?


If I had my choice, I would live in Norway, Denmark or Sweden, but this is the United States of America and this is reality here and 'making changes' will never happen here as we have already seen. I predict things will get even worse in the next 20 years for women in this country whether they are working or not.

[Anonymous]

FWIW some ideas for OP:

Volunteer at school/church/not-for-profit to spearhead a PR campaign, i.e., offer to do PR for the school play or a charity 10K race. This "project" can be something fresh/recent for your resume and that you can discuss during interviews...Seek part-time freelance work to similarly build your resume and network...learn as much as you can about social media/how technology has changed your field...

Be patient and organized in your employment search...it may take some time...rather than get discouraged, focus on learning something from each rejection...

And, most of all, believe that you have just as much, if not more, to offer as other applicants. Too often people (especially women) focus on the negatives, i.e., why employers won't want someone who has been out of the workforce, and talk themselves out of even applying for jobs that might be a great fit...

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Can someone explain more about how hiring managers use Linked In? I am currently job searching to get back into the workforce, and I joined Linked In with a very basic profile and just put the bare bones info on it, because I really don't want my personal information (like what would be on a resume) posted for all to see. I guess I don't understand how Linked In would be important in a job search. I network through email and in-person, and just save my professional contacts' emails. I don't see how Linked In can help my job search, but also how do hiring managers use it?