Returning to the workforce after SAH

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, after having been out for 6 years, I found some part-time consulting work. I am a generalist- think HR, Finance, IT. The work I did was low level but I made it sound important on my resume and it helped to make my skills and experience appear more current. It took me about a month to get an interview but I landed the first job I interviewed for.

Was this for a firm or did you do it on your own with your networks? I think this is an important distinction because lots of SAHMs let those networks drop.

[Anonymous]

I had 2 years experience in my field, which is fairly specialized and female-dominated (so not unusual to have taken time off for kids), before I took 5 years off to stay home with kids. However, I maintained my certification/licensure and did some volunteer work. I initially found a part time job through in my field through my neighborhood friends and now work full time for a different agency. I do feel like I need to explain the gap in my resume--and why I'm my age with such little work experience-- but I always try to focus on the positives: I love what I do!

[Anonymous]

I left my FT job in graphics to stay home for 4 years. I started volunteering at my kids school doing event set up one year and event management the next. When I went back to work it was for PT admin for a crazy boss. I meet my current boss through that job. I'm now doing event planning for the county and I love it!!! But it took me a while to get to a happy place.

[Anonymous]

I went back to work after staying at home foe 3 years. Legal field, had 9 years of government experience (both, state and federal), went to private practice after the break in a totally different field. No regrets, I wish I could stay at least a year more with kids. They grew up so fast.

[Anonymous]

Another lawyer. Worked 10 years in private practice, then took five years off, took about 6 months to find a very good federal attorney position.

[Anonymous]

I was a SAHM for 7 years, but did occasional freelance work in my field throughout that time, a few projects a year

I starting looking a couple months after my youngest started Kindergarten and it took about 3 months before accepting a job (I turned down one offer because it wasn't a good fit and didn't pursue another after the first interview)

Yes, the job is in my field -- marketing research

I'm very happy. I've been there over 5 years now.

The freelance work I'd done helped keep my network and resume current so that helped (although I did get the job through an online job listing, not via any connections). I'd also worked in my field for 10 years and built up a good reputation. I never had to seek out freelance work, just let people know when I quit my job that I'd be available and then got regular calls for projects. I think it would be a lot harder to quit right after college/grad school without having built up your experience first. Also helpful was that DH was supportive of my going back to work and good about taking over responsibility for the kids in the a.m. and splitting up household jobs

No regrets. I loved my time at home and I also like my job. My kids have made good friends at extended day and love their summer camps. I think the only thing I miss with being back to work is that I can no longer take long summer visits to my family on the West coast. We still see them for a week but when I was a SAHM, I'd take the kids out there for 3 weeks to have a nice long visit with my parents and friends around California and Washington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, everyone. I'd love to hear more stories (good or bad). I had my first kid during grad school, did a short post-doc, had kid 2 and have been home since then (couple of years). Would like to go back at some point but not yet. But it's commonly repeated that it's difficult or impossible to go back after time off. So I am interested in hearing people's experiences.

Why did you go to / pay for grad school if not to use the degree?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mother stayed home until her 40s. Never worked after college. Once we were more independent (high school age), she volunteered for an organization. After many years as a volunteer she was eventually hired to work full time as an admin. She's 60 now and still working. Volunteering can be a good way to make connections.

Sure if you want to be a 60 yr old admin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mother stayed home until her 40s. Never worked after college. Once we were more independent (high school age), she volunteered for an organization. After many years as a volunteer she was eventually hired to work full time as an admin. She's 60 now and still working. Volunteering can be a good way to make connections.

Sure if you want to be a 60 yr old admin.

What's wrong with that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mother stayed home until her 40s. Never worked after college. Once we were more independent (high school age), she volunteered for an organization. After many years as a volunteer she was eventually hired to work full time as an admin. She's 60 now and still working. Volunteering can be a good way to make connections.

Sure if you want to be a 60 yr old admin.

I used that term to simplify; she actually does graphic design and a lot of creative work as part of her role. She enjoys what she does and wouldn't do it otherwise, since her income has never been needed. But that's not the point. My point was simply that huge gaps don't make you unemployable, and that volunteering can be a path to employment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mother stayed home until her 40s. Never worked after college. Once we were more independent (high school age), she volunteered for an organization. After many years as a volunteer she was eventually hired to work full time as an admin. She's 60 now and still working. Volunteering can be a good way to make connections.

Sure if you want to be a 60 yr old admin.

What's wrong with that?

+1 My mom was a 60 yr old admin. She returned to admin work in her mid-40s after being out of the workforce for 15 yrs (my sister and I were in HS). She'd been a secretary for 7 yrs before she quit when my sister was born. She did very well and actually was promoted at one point but didn't like the pressure and faster pace and switched back to her old admin role. My dad got laid off when I was in college so mom ended up being the breadwinner for 10 yrs (on her admin salary) before they fully retired. She was very happy with her work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, everyone. I'd love to hear more stories (good or bad). I had my first kid during grad school, did a short post-doc, had kid 2 and have been home since then (couple of years). Would like to go back at some point but not yet. But it's commonly repeated that it's difficult or impossible to go back after time off. So I am interested in hearing people's experiences.

Why did you go to / pay for grad school if not to use the degree?

1. I didn't pay much for it-- I was a TA, etc.
2. I have used it some.
3. I'm hoping to use it again; that's the point of this thread.

FWIW, I have presented at conferences a couple of times and published a little in my field since staying home.

[Anonymous]

Went back after 5+ years off. Had a long career before that, maintained my professional network, and did a few small freelance jobs while off work.
Applied to two jobs, got one interview and an offer within a few months of looking. Working in my field, at a substantial raise over my last job. Current employers are very family-friendly and didn't bat an eye at the years off. They had also taken some family leave to raise kids (I later discovered), and looked at the totality of my experience and what I brought to the table.

I can see where there might be some fields that would not be as forgiving of time off - but I know quite a few other SAHPs who have had very similar experiences to mine. Refresh your linked in, work on clearly communicating your skills, polish your "elevator pitch" about what you are looking for and your experience, and keep up your network!

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

PP here -
Yes, I do like my new job, better than the one before I was a SAHP
No regrets at all about staying home
Wish I could have stayed home longer, but we needed the money!