References for SAHMs who returned to work after 5+ years

[Anonymous]

I still think you're a SAHM and not a jet-setting CEO in Hong Kong, but regardless of who you are, your advice to the OP is not good. OP's question was who should she list as a reference, and you suggested that she list her children. No matter how funny and cute you try to be in doing so, that's just a terrible idea. I have been on my office's hiring committee for years, and I do plenty of hiring myself. While providing references is simply not the time to try to be "creative" and shows a serious lack of judgment.

In all seriousness, OP, I would try to offer a combination of recent, non-work references (another parent with whom you've volunteered or served on a committee, perhaps) and more dated, work-related references. For the latter, I would try to get back in touch with former work colleagues through LinkedIn or Facebook. Even if you haven't worked with them in awhile, if you were a good worker back then, I'm sure they'll be happy to help.

[Anonymous]

I would write:

1998- Stayed at home with children.

That's it. If you haven't had any volunteer experience I would go out and get it NOW. So you have something (anything) to add to your resume. If you can make your volunteer work somewhat related to your field- even better.

I stayed at home for 6 years after being a school counselor. Fortunately I stayed in touch with my former principal and coworkers so I had someone to act as a reference (even though it wasn't a current one).

The exception to the "no fluffy on the resume" rule is if that is the culture of the company to which you are applying. If you know that the company wants to hire creative, nontraditional types you may give it a shot but if you don't know that for a FACT, skip the fluff entirely.

You can bring humor into the interview (when appropriate) if you get that far. When I was aksed why I wanted to return to work, I said that I missed the challenges and excitement of a career in counseling, I didn't want to completely give up who I was before I had children, and I was having nightmares about Dora. That last part always got a few laughs.

Good luck- and be sure to focus on why you DO want to go back to work instead of why you DON'T want to be at home.

[Anonymous]

I agree with 11:25. I have been a SAHM for 7 years but I have an interview tomorrow to go back to work. I'd rather wait another year or two but my references (my former co-workers and bosses who have been really willing to go to bat for me) are starting to retire and scatter.
I put nothing on my resume about my years at home except for one demanding volunteer position where I managed the communications for a non-profit.

[Anonymous]

Good luck tomorrow, 12:15!

[Anonymous]

Good luck 12:25!

I SAHM'd for 8 years and just got a job, I start next week. I did volunteer work (not school related) that I put on my resume as well as just enough freelance work to make my current position "Freelancer" on both my resume and Linkedin.

The person who hired me knew of me through my work (from 10 years ago) even though we had never met, we know quite a few of the same people who spoke well of me.

Don't limit your references to former bosses. Go on Linkedin and reconnect with your former colleagues. Many of them will have been promoted in the past 8-10 years and will be in a great position to help, assuming you are on good terms with them, and provide a reference. People like to help, remember that and don't be afraid to ask.

I made the SAHM thing one line in my cover letter, deep down, something like "I have enjoyed being at home with my kids but I am ready to get back to work."

[Anonymous]

I'd like to know whether the "CEO" poster actually screens resumes. I'm in HR and all that a description like the one she wrote up tells me is that the candidate is not serious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to know whether the "CEO" poster actually screens resumes. I'm in HR and all that a description like the one she wrote up tells me is that the candidate is not serious.

I think the highly creative million-thoughts-a-second types who have started their own firms are the type that might appreciate something a bit off or quirky. But its 1 in 1000. Its still awful advice.

I'd also bin a resume with that immediately. I dont need 'cute' on my team, I need smart, hardworking and trustworthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to know whether the "CEO" poster actually screens resumes. I'm in HR and all that a description like the one she wrote up tells me is that the candidate is not serious.

I think the highly creative million-thoughts-a-second types who have started their own firms are the type that might appreciate something a bit off or quirky. But its 1 in 1000. Its still awful advice.

I'd also bin a resume with that immediately. I dont need 'cute' on my team, I need smart, hardworking and trustworthy.

I don't need entitled which is what that comes off as.

[Anonymous]

I was a SAHM for well over 15 years. I went back to work this year. I mentioned my time at home briefly on the cover letter and emphasized that my children were older and that I was ready to return to the workforce. That's it. I didn't even mention that I was PTA president, community volunteer, ...blah, blah, blah. The workplace is a totally different world. To put it bluntly, no one cares. Many of the people I work with are working full time AND are active volunteers.

I also went with a resume that highlighted my achievements while working, because even though it was a long time ago I felt that it showed I was an achiever at work. I emphasized my education. And I didn't use a chronological format.

Good luck!!!!

[Anonymous]

I'm the author of this "stupid" post. I'm also a present CEO and President. I have run 5 companies over the past 15 years, my last company I worked with was sold for almost $1 billion. I understand what makes up a good staff, and Board. In a sense, I "hire" for a living.

Here's why I think humour would benefit the OP. If I read something like that (and all SAHM's could do the same thing) here is what I see:

1) someone who is confident.
2) someone who is motivated to do something different - and positive.
3) someone who has humility - and empathy for others.
4) someone who can lead.
5) someone who obviously is a team player
6) someone who can handle stress; is great with logistics; and is battle scarred and can deal with pressure
7) someone who probably helped others to become their best - who put others needs before her own.
8) someone who can not just spot a problem - but has 10 years of finding solutions.
9) someone who is probably very positive - not negative (read a lot of these comments).
10) SOMEONE THAT I OUGHT TO INTERVIEW and I won't be bored.


If she's as good as she seems - I'm hiring her. But the humour turns something that is "blah" into something that is "wow" and MEANINGFUL to my business. I need people with the traits that I listed...and good parents (like many of you here on DCUMD) make GREAT employees. IMO. To many of you negative posters - my guess is that your view of the OP's situation is myopic. Sorry I disagree.

The truth of the matter is that the OP has been out of the workforce - and her strategy is rely on stale recommendations. That is going to make for a horribly boring resume...and you can't hide that you've been out of the workplace for that long. Business in general has changed. You're a relic and a dinosaur. Even the "resume" is going out of fashion.


A company is going to tend to value you at the same value you place on yourself. So set it high. Translate your skills in to things that make sense to a business.


Just my 2 cents. Good luck OP....but don't lead with "stale" skills and references. That's a first class ticket to the circular file.

Be proud of what you've done - and translate that into what I need for my business - and you're hired!

I don't find the suggested humor funny, I find it irritating and would not interview someone who had that on her resume. If someone can find a way to present skills that they learned volunteering, managing their household, etc. in a format that is professional, that's fine.