How do I explain not being the workforce for five years stayed home to take care of kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would assume if a woman presents with a 5-6-7 year gap, it's presumed she stayed home to raise kids. That's not an issue AS LONG as during that time you were also pursuing education, volunteering, keeping up with new developments in the field, maintained contacts and network, etc.etc. The only problem I can see is if you have a very long gap (7-10 years) with absolutely zero to show for it in terms of staying active in the field or pursuing any education or professional development. And even then it's not an issue of staying home it's that you stayed home for a long time and did absolutely nothing to prepare for going back to work- that's when SAHMs are at a disadvantage when returning to the workforce. You should be fine.

I tend to agree with this poster. I might disagree about the years. 3-5 years is pretty easy to justify as long as you show volunteer/temp/pt experience and current training with software, education, etc. I'd say more than 5 tips an application into the dustbin even with those things, because it indicates a genuine lack of commitment to one's career. Of course my sector is heavily impacted by technology.

PP here and I think this totally depends on the age of the applicant, the industry/field, etc. If you've had two kids and stayed home til the second was in K or close, you'll be looking at 5-8 years home all said and done. But, as we both agree, it's what you do in that time that usually determines if you're able to get back into the workplace. Simply saying "I stayed home" will probably not cut it because you have to maintain some kind of professional edge that shows you're a good hire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a two year gap. I did not address it on my resume or cover letter but when asked in an interview I explained that I stayed home with the kids. I got the job.

Same here, except I was home for almost five years. The person interviewing me said, "Well done" when I said I had been home caring for my children.

[Anonymous]

Totally curious, when do people find time to volunteer with young children at home?

I did great at staying on top of my field, finishing up papers, etc, while I was at home with my first. Since the second was born? Zilch. I can't find time to stay on top of the household chores, let alone pursue academic endeavors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally curious, when do people find time to volunteer with young children at home?

I did great at staying on top of my field, finishing up papers, etc, while I was at home with my first. Since the second was born? Zilch. I can't find time to stay on top of the household chores, let alone pursue academic endeavors.

Your second is probably still really little, right? I brought the baby along when volunteering at some school events, but once the youngest one was two and attending a mornings-only daycare in the neighborhood, and then at age three started mornings-only preschool, I had a few mornings a week to do some volunteering, a little freelance work, etc.

I actually had three kids but each time it was when the youngest was about two that I was able to start accomplishing anything-- not before that.

[Anonymous]

I am currently conducting interviews for an open IT position. I will ask about gaps in resumes. Staying home with young children isn't an issue. I would be more concerned about an unexplained gap or one that the person avoided talking about than I would about staying home for childcare reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally curious, when do people find time to volunteer with young children at home?

I did great at staying on top of my field, finishing up papers, etc, while I was at home with my first. Since the second was born? Zilch. I can't find time to stay on top of the household chores, let alone pursue academic endeavors.

morning preschool for younger, elementary school for older. this is not rocket science and i seriously question your ability to work any job. of any kind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am currently conducting interviews for an open IT position. I will ask about gaps in resumes. Staying home with young children isn't an issue. I would be more concerned about an unexplained gap or one that the person avoided talking about than I would about staying home for childcare reasons.

+1
I also interview for our company. I would never, ever have a problem with anyone staying home with their children - after all, I did! There are all kinds of seasons in life and there is nothing more worthwhile and meaningful than caring for one's own children. Too bad some people don't see it that way, but from my experience, they are very much in the minority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally curious, when do people find time to volunteer with young children at home?

I did great at staying on top of my field, finishing up papers, etc, while I was at home with my first. Since the second was born? Zilch. I can't find time to stay on top of the household chores, let alone pursue academic endeavors.

morning preschool for younger, elementary school for older. this is not rocket science and i seriously question your ability to work any job. of any kind.

If she could do that, then she would probably just go ahead and work. WHy give up the income and stay home to volunteer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am currently conducting interviews for an open IT position. I will ask about gaps in resumes. Staying home with young children isn't an issue. I would be more concerned about an unexplained gap or one that the person avoided talking about than I would about staying home for childcare reasons.

I just had an interview where they asked me to explain my SAHM gap and I said for childcare but then they wanted to know all the specifics: how many children and how old were they now? I felt like if I told them 3 or 4 they would be impressed. But the fact is that I have one. Needless to say, I didn't get the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally curious, when do people find time to volunteer with young children at home?

I did great at staying on top of my field, finishing up papers, etc, while I was at home with my first. Since the second was born? Zilch. I can't find time to stay on top of the household chores, let alone pursue academic endeavors.

I have a kindergartener and 2 year old. I volunteer on nights and weekends. Last night I was packing food at the food pantry for our customers. Tomorrow morning I'll be at a local race collecting and crating canned goods that we levy as part of the entry fee. I'm also in grad school, so the academic stuff is again done at night (once weekly night class for 3 hours, other is online) and during school/nap. Sometimes I wake up at 5 am to do work. Today I had to do some student teaching so I had to find a weekday sitter who could come keep my kids, organize for my husband to come home at lunch so he could take the K kid to school, and then I was home at 12:30, doing homework during nap and before pickup. As often as I can I work on the auction I am chairing that is set for spring- getting donations, etc. wherever I can squeeze that in, I do.

You just make it work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am currently conducting interviews for an open IT position. I will ask about gaps in resumes. Staying home with young children isn't an issue. I would be more concerned about an unexplained gap or one that the person avoided talking about than I would about staying home for childcare reasons.

I just had an interview where they asked me to explain my SAHM gap and I said for childcare but then they wanted to know all the specifics: how many children and how old were they now? I felt like if I told them 3 or 4 they would be impressed. But the fact is that I have one. Needless to say, I didn't get the job.

I hire for our company and would never ask that question. In fact, it's completely inappropriate and unprofessional. You're better off not working for any company that would ask you that, let alone discriminate against you due to caring for your children.