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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why should female hiring managers be MORE sympathetic to SAHM wanting to return to the workforce? They have a job to fill and need to do it with the best person available. That may not be the SAHM.

While it isn't a working versus SAHM debate, this thread clearly outlines one of the challenges of SAHM in our society. Many working moms have made that decision, that they don't want to be out of the professional workforce. Others don't have the choice.

However, when you have the choice and have opted for 13 years out of a professional situation, then the consequences are going to be the challenge to re-enter. It isn't on the hiring manager to be sympathetic, it is on the applicant to put themselves in the position of being the absolute best candidate.

The woe is me stuff is not befitting.

I really don't think you are reading these responses closely enough; there are "hiring managers" on here saying they would ALWAYS hire a millennial over someone who chose to stay home for any amount of time. And, if you read the post, the OP is is venting that she cannot get an UNPAID position, so she understands she has to aim low. The problem here is that women are refusing to understand that a woman who has 15 years of experience and stayed home for 5 may have some experience over someone with 2 years of experience. One poster pointed out she has MORE of a vested interest to succeed than a millennial because she has expenses they don't, and they aren't burnt out.

I don't think there is a single SAHM that doesn't know what their choice does to their career, but women are pointing out the extreme bias that they have toward a woman or man who left the workforce as being weak, stupid, not hungry enough, lazy, out of date, and so on.

Some women have been helpful on these types of threads by giving practical advice over trying to shame them. And, the OP is clearly venting that she cannot work for FREE, and yet some women like pp can't help but sink their fangs into her.

And, for every "feminist" who says this is her due, then you are not a feminist.

APPLAUSE. So very, very true.

Tell yourself what you want. This is reality, for men or for women, who leave the workforce voluntarily. Sorry the meanies make you cry.

Sure, the reality is it's hard to get back into the workforce if you've taken a long extended absence, for any reason. However, I find it amusing more than anything that some "hiring managers" here on DCUM insist they'd hire the inexperienced, immature, recent college grad over someone who has plenty of experience under his or her belt, plus maturity to go along with it. Sorry, that definitely smacks of resentment and spite. I would never hire someone as green as a recent grad if I had another candidate with great experience and real world skills, but gaps in his/her resume. Nothing beats experience, wisdom, and maturity.

Do you work?
Do you hire?

I was a SAHM for 9 years and now work FT. While it wasn't a piece of cake to get hired after taking years off, it certainly wasn't the death sentence some posters like to make it out as. Every other SAHM I know who has decided to return to work has been able to do so. Believe it or not, my skills, degrees, and experience didn't atrophy during my time at home and I was (gasp!) able to get up to speed relatively quickly after starting back to work.

also depends on your field

If it's something along the lines of customer service - sales - it's easier to jump back in. nursing? nah . . . as cert and experience are very important, for example

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I'm saying this to be helpful rather than mean, but that was a terrible answer. Here's why.

Imagine that I am a person who is well-connected in the international aid/relief circuit. You will meet many people like me if you start looking around in DC. I have many friends at organizations who are looking to hire, and I can definitely put in a referral for you if I should feel like it. But every time I reach out for someone, I expend my social capital, so I am choosy about my referrals.

Now, let's say I have met you and a few other people at a party. I could call up a friend for you and say, "Hey Larla, I know someone who is wiling to do whatever it takes to get their foot into the door. Do you have any menial work around?" Or, I could call up a friend for someone else and say, "Hey Larla, I met this great ex-nurse who is looking to apply her skills creating health management plans for water-borne diseases. She's interested in your organization because you guys are known for your work in Africa, a region she wrote her masters thesis on."

Do you see why I would choose to make the second phone call instead? You need to 1) define yourself as an expert in something, 2) understand what you can contribute to an international aid/relief organization, and 3) have a short-list of organizations you would like to work for, with some kind of believable rationale. Since you cannot do this, the first step is to do research and informational interviews. Then you can look at programs, etc. to get the right credentials.

I think this advice is also applicable for the OP and any other SAHM who wants back into the workforce as well. You are not 12 years old anymore. No one is here to hold your hand and help you figure out what to do with your life - that is your responsibility. We are, however, happy to help you strategize and introduce you to the right people if you can articulate what you are looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I'm saying this to be helpful rather than mean, but that was a terrible answer. Here's why.

Imagine that I am a person who is well-connected in the international aid/relief circuit. You will meet many people like me if you start looking around in DC. I have many friends at organizations who are looking to hire, and I can definitely put in a referral for you if I should feel like it. But every time I reach out for someone, I expend my social capital, so I am choosy about my referrals.

Now, let's say I have met you and a few other people at a party. I could call up a friend for you and say, "Hey Larla, I know someone who is wiling to do whatever it takes to get their foot into the door. Do you have any menial work around?" Or, I could call up a friend for someone else and say, "Hey Larla, I met this great ex-nurse who is looking to apply her skills creating health management plans for water-borne diseases. She's interested in your organization because you guys are known for your work in Africa, a region she wrote her masters thesis on."

Do you see why I would choose to make the second phone call instead? You need to 1) define yourself as an expert in something, 2) understand what you can contribute to an international aid/relief organization, and 3) have a short-list of organizations you would like to work for, with some kind of believable rationale. Since you cannot do this, the first step is to do research and informational interviews. Then you can look at programs, etc. to get the right credentials.

I think this advice is also applicable for the OP and any other SAHM who wants back into the workforce as well. You are not 12 years old anymore. No one is here to hold your hand and help you figure out what to do with your life - that is your responsibility. We are, however, happy to help you strategize and introduce you to the right people if you can articulate what you are looking for.

Fair enough. I do appreciate your thoughts and advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you are shooting too low. I wouldn't hire someone with your education and experience for an entry level job (and certainly not am internship), but I have hired many mothers returning to the workforce for mid level jobs with lots of flexibility.

You don't lose all your education and experience due to a career break, so stop acting apologetic and willing to start from the bottom. My guess is you are not portraying confidence and are seeming maybe a bit meek because you are over compensating for the time off. The self doubt about the break shines through in interviews, so work on your own paradigms and perception.

+1. When I returned to working FT after a 7 us break I initially applied for jobs a step below where I'd been when I left. I got little response. Had a conversation with a former colleague who wanted to refer me for a position a step above where I'd been. That job didn't work for me because it was a different city but the convo helped me see I was selling myself short. Started applying at the manager level I'd been at and quickly found a job that was a great fit.

+1000 have not read all the snark, but OP, aim high! You can network like crazy and focus on positions at your former level or higher. Good luck!