It just sucks - not even offered internship - (sigh)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry it has been so tough to get back into the workforce OP. I wish it was different in our culture too.

I am a WOHM and really don't understand why it is so hard for a parent to take some time off and return to work later. Definitely a major factor on my decision to not SAH at all.

I think the idea that if someone leaves the workforce to care full time for their children they don't appear to be dedicated employees. That is just crap.

I think it's crap too. Part of the issue is, it's just a really competitive world out there, especially for those in the DC area. There are a lot of highly educated, highly skilled people out there, and hiring managers are super busy. It truly is easier to get a job when you already have a job. They are looking for anything to make that pile of resumes smaller and get someone hired fast. That is why keeping up the network is so important. You really need an "in" for most jobs nowadays, SAHM or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry it has been so tough to get back into the workforce OP. I wish it was different in our culture too.

I am a WOHM and really don't understand why it is so hard for a parent to take some time off and return to work later. Definitely a major factor on my decision to not SAH at all.

I think the idea that if someone leaves the workforce to care full time for their children they don't appear to be dedicated employees. That is just crap.

Why isn't this fair? By leaving the workforce to care for you children full time, you have proven that you don't need to work. If you really needed the job, you wouldn't have been able to leave the workforce. Therefore, it's fair to conclude that if things get tough, you might not stick around, because you've proven that you can make it without the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry it has been so tough to get back into the workforce OP. I wish it was different in our culture too.

I am a WOHM and really don't understand why it is so hard for a parent to take some time off and return to work later. Definitely a major factor on my decision to not SAH at all.

I think the idea that if someone leaves the workforce to care full time for their children they don't appear to be dedicated employees. That is just crap.

Why isn't this fair? By leaving the workforce to care for you children full time, you have proven that you don't need to work. If you really needed the job, you wouldn't have been able to leave the workforce. Therefore, it's fair to conclude that if things get tough, you might not stick around, because you've proven that you can make it without the job.

Leaving the workforce to take care of your children does not indicate a person does not need to work ever again. A few years is nothing considering many people work from their teens into their 60s. Also, taking care of your children is hardly flakey or flighty. It isn't like they quit to go fufill their lifelong dream of collecting sea shells from every continent...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry it has been so tough to get back into the workforce OP. I wish it was different in our culture too.

I am a WOHM and really don't understand why it is so hard for a parent to take some time off and return to work later. Definitely a major factor on my decision to not SAH at all.

I think the idea that if someone leaves the workforce to care full time for their children they don't appear to be dedicated employees. That is just crap.

Why isn't this fair? By leaving the workforce to care for you children full time, you have proven that you don't need to work. If you really needed the job, you wouldn't have been able to leave the workforce. Therefore, it's fair to conclude that if things get tough, you might not stick around, because you've proven that you can make it without the job.

Leaving the workforce to take care of your children does not indicate a person does not need to work ever again. A few years is nothing considering many people work from their teens into their 60s. Also, taking care of your children is hardly flakey or flighty. It isn't like they quit to go fufill their lifelong dream of collecting sea shells from every continent...

Sure, but leaving the workplace is a luxury afforded by the upper middle class and above. You are signaling that you value time with your children over employment. Why isn't it fair to assume that you'll continue to choose your family over employment? There are a lot of people who will put work as a priority, either because they need the money or they are single. There are a lot of qualified applicants out there, so yea, employers can choose.

[Anonymous]

^ Btw, I think being a SAHP is a noble endeavor. But I think lots of people want to have it all without having to think or strategize about how to do it.

Of course no one is going to just hand you a job, of course it won't be easy. The people who complain about how hard it is out there seem kind of naive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So to those hiring managers on here - if a SAHM has been out of the game for 10-13 years, what would you like to see on the resume?

Listing volunteer work doesn't seem to be a good idea, nor any committees or boards that have been served on.

I've considered taking some classes, but it seems that which classes to choose are very dependent on which job I end up actually getting. If I'm looking for entry-level work, what would you recommend and what types of skills do you want me to know?

I'm a hiring manager and I disagree that you should leave off volunteer work and community/board work. I think the those roles should be included if there was a significant effort. If you are the board president for a HOA of 5,000 homes and oversee a budget of 100M, I think there are skills that you have that are relevant to work.

I do think it depends on the type of volunteer work and the effort. A room parent may not be relevant but a PTA president where you have to spend 20 hours a week doing things, sure.

I do agree that leading with these activities isn't the best, and using a skills based resume is preferred. To me showing that you been active in your professional skills is better than taking classes (unless your profession requires it - eg a nurse or lawyer).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - the labor market in US(and Asia) treats those out of the workforce worse than terrorists.

The only way to break back in is via personal network with knowing someone who is in a position to hire.

Even retail they'll look at you sideways (I have multiple grad degrees in quantitative subjects and couldn't get a cvs night shift shelf stacker job).

Again you under applied yourself. Even retail hiring managers want a long lasting employee, not someone with a masters degree who will leave once they get a "real" offer.

that's such bs - there is so much turnover in retail that it shouldn't matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - the labor market in US(and Asia) treats those out of the workforce worse than terrorists.

The only way to break back in is via personal network with knowing someone who is in a position to hire.

Even retail they'll look at you sideways (I have multiple grad degrees in quantitative subjects and couldn't get a cvs night shift shelf stacker job).

Again you under applied yourself. Even retail hiring managers want a long lasting employee, not someone with a masters degree who will leave once they get a "real" offer.

that's such bs - there is so much turnover in retail that it shouldn't matter.

This is why SAHM's get so much shit. Instead of listening to actionable advice, you guys keep throwing your tantrums about how the world is unfair.

[Anonymous]

OP, I feel your pain. I've been gone from the work force for 10 years. Although, I don't have a masters degree. I didn't finish my bachelors either.

My jobs have always been in the Administrative field. I too have been applying for jobs like crazy the last 8 months or so. I have been on a couple of interviews and was sure I was going to get one as the woman practically hired me on the spot, but said she needed to speak with her partner, well it's been a few days and no email, nothing. I continue to apply. I'm also telling people I want to get back to work to see if they know of anything that will fit my skills.
Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry it has been so tough to get back into the workforce OP. I wish it was different in our culture too.

I am a WOHM and really don't understand why it is so hard for a parent to take some time off and return to work later. Definitely a major factor on my decision to not SAH at all.

I think the idea that if someone leaves the workforce to care full time for their children they don't appear to be dedicated employees. That is just crap.

Why isn't this fair? By leaving the workforce to care for you children full time, you have proven that you don't need to work. If you really needed the job, you wouldn't have been able to leave the workforce. Therefore, it's fair to conclude that if things get tough, you might not stick around, because you've proven that you can make it without the job.

I agree with this. I also agree with the poster who likened it to taking years off to travel the world. And noble endeavor? Sure. Your choice? Sure. But don't expect that it will not have consequences. You have shown that you don't prioritize your career, and that's fine, but don't expect but that won't have major effects down the road.

[Anonymous]

I don't consider taking off time to be home with your children a "noble endeavor". I do consider it a "valid choice". It is no more noble to stay home than to work.

I also want to point out that 10 years is not "a few years". It's a full decade.

In any case, I think the best advice, really, is to take some sort of training to do something specific, and then apply for those jobs. IT certifications or Medical certifications are a good place to look. Make yourself a new graduate. It doesn't need to be a University degree.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. You want to have a compelling reason to be looking for a job at that particular moment, other than the fact that the kids are older. In other words, it's more convincing if you have a professional reason for your timing, not a personal one.

A short education program is usually a good idea, because you're basically saying, "of course I would be looking for a job now, I just invested in my education and am ready to contribute."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry it has been so tough to get back into the workforce OP. I wish it was different in our culture too.

I am a WOHM and really don't understand why it is so hard for a parent to take some time off and return to work later. Definitely a major factor on my decision to not SAH at all.

I think the idea that if someone leaves the workforce to care full time for their children they don't appear to be dedicated employees. That is just crap.

Why isn't this fair? By leaving the workforce to care for you children full time, you have proven that you don't need to work. If you really needed the job, you wouldn't have been able to leave the workforce. Therefore, it's fair to conclude that if things get tough, you might not stick around, because you've proven that you can make it without the job.

Leaving the workforce to take care of your children does not indicate a person does not need to work ever again. A few years is nothing considering many people work from their teens into their 60s. Also, taking care of your children is hardly flakey or flighty. It isn't like they quit to go fufill their lifelong dream of collecting sea shells from every continent...

Do you work? Technology runs the workplace. Leaving for a "few years" does indeed place you at a disadvantage. And most supervisors don't have time to train their employees on the basics. So while skill level may be high in certain areas, if it's now necessary to use Program X to do your job, then you better damn well know Program X.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So to those hiring managers on here - if a SAHM has been out of the game for 10-13 years, what would you like to see on the resume?

Listing volunteer work doesn't seem to be a good idea, nor any committees or boards that have been served on.

I've considered taking some classes, but it seems that which classes to choose are very dependent on which job I end up actually getting. If I'm looking for entry-level work, what would you recommend and what types of skills do you want me to know?

I'm the quoted poster.

I have no desire to return to my former profession and would like to start over so that's why I would go for entry level. I'd like to work in non-profit or government.

I have knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, Powerpoint, etc- basic office skills. I used some of these while serving on some volunteer committees and other volunteer positions, that's why I would think to list those things on a resume, but that's not encouraged it seems. So not sure how to slide that in there on a resume. I didn't take any formal classes for them. Some of these committees required significant time with spreadsheets and weekly conference calls.

I have taken a class on non-profit tax writing. It was while I was in that class that it seemed pointless. Most of the others that were in there were taking it because the non-profit they were already working for were sending them there and they were doing the whole non-profit business certificate program. That's when I realized it's probably better to get my foot in the door first and then take which classes that particular business requested me to attend.

I honestly don't mind starting from the bottom and learning everything new to work my way up, but it seems my age would hold me back if what's wanted is a fresh grad. 36.

I appreciate the genuine help from pp's on this post.

WAAAY too broad. Please define your goals more and then we can help.

I'd like to eventually work in a company that primarily focuses on international aid/relief, whether that is through a non-profit or through a gov't organization at this point doesn't matter to me. Of course that could change once I have a better understanding of the different roles within each organization.

To get there, I can start at either and doing any entry level work. Whether it is admin, hr, assistant, etc. I just really want to get my foot in the door so I can build enough of a resume and make enough contacts to know what paths are available to me and which classes or certificates or further education would really help me.

While traveling would be difficult for me right now, within a few years (and hopefully as I work my way up) I will have a more flexibility with travel if necessary.

Still a bit broad, but I can't say for sure which exact position I would like in the end since I'm not sure of the possibilities.

[Anonymous]

^^^ Sorry OP, I don't mean to hijack the thread. If anyone would rather take this convo to another post or through email, let me know.