SAHM Reentering the Work Force - What not to do

[Anonymous]

Shocking, I just got back into the work force 2 years ago after 8 years being at home with the kids. It took me a whole 2 months to find work and I had two offers to choose from. I'm in IT sales to the feds and am pulling in 300k/yr-more than I ever imagined by hitting my sales goals each quarter.

I picked sales because I'm outgoing, confident, and not too hard on the eyes. I also primarily wanted to WFH so I could get the kids off the bus. I also was up front about my family in the interview process. The hiring manager (a man) has a SAHW and we related in the interview process around children.

Sorry to rain on your bitter party, but it was pretty wonderful to be home while my children were small and jump back to wiotk wtih a high salary upside, in a family friendly career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shocking, I just got back into the work force 2 years ago after 8 years being at home with the kids. It took me a whole 2 months to find work and I had two offers to choose from. I'm in IT sales to the feds and am pulling in 300k/yr-more than I ever imagined by hitting my sales goals each quarter.

I picked sales because I'm outgoing, confident, and not too hard on the eyes. I also primarily wanted to WFH so I could get the kids off the bus. I also was up front about my family in the interview process. The hiring manager (a man) has a SAHW and we related in the interview process around children.

Sorry to rain on your bitter party, but it was pretty wonderful to be home while my children were small and jump back to wiotk wtih a high salary upside, in a family friendly career.

I'm not interested in sales. I didn't want to be home while my children were small. Glad it worked out for you though.

[Anonymous]

NP here and to SAHMs who might read this and want to re-enter the workforce, I want to share somethings from my last job search.

One lady applied for the job through networking (which we like). However, She SAHMed and her resume showed no updated skills! I was shocked. Even if you volunteered, let us know. book-keeping is book-keeping even if it's only 4 hours a week.

Another got the interview and the WAY she spoke about staying at home for the first year made her sound like she didn't need the job and since we had candidates who really wanted the job, and expressed it, we were turned off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I interviewed a lovely woman who explained a four year gap in her resume by saying that she took time off as the only child to care for her terminally ill mother. Had no problem hiring her (and she's doing great!). That's way different that a SAHP situation though.

Why is it different for purposes of hiring and employment?

Because the mother is dead. The kids that caused the mom to SAH are presumably still alive.

But if the kids are in school full time, wouldn't it make sense to seek employment?

Again, hilarious. Do you not have children at all, or are yours still babies? You can't work full time even if your children are in full time school without before- and/or afterschool care, not to mention care for the random teacher workdays.

People work full time all the time with children, what are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

For some reason, this thread made me think of a great line from As Good As It Gets:

Receptionist: How do you write women so well?
Melvin Udall: I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shocking, I just got back into the work force 2 years ago after 8 years being at home with the kids. It took me a whole 2 months to find work and I had two offers to choose from. I'm in IT sales to the feds and am pulling in 300k/yr-more than I ever imagined by hitting my sales goals each quarter.

I picked sales because I'm outgoing, confident, and not too hard on the eyes. I also primarily wanted to WFH so I could get the kids off the bus. I also was up front about my family in the interview process. The hiring manager (a man) has a SAHW and we related in the interview process around children.

Sorry to rain on your bitter party, but it was pretty wonderful to be home while my children were small and jump back to wiotk wtih a high salary upside, in a family friendly career.

I'm not interested in sales. I didn't want to be home while my children were small. Glad it worked out for you though.

Seriously? That's what you bring to this? That's just embarrassing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shocking, I just got back into the work force 2 years ago after 8 years being at home with the kids. It took me a whole 2 months to find work and I had two offers to choose from. I'm in IT sales to the feds and am pulling in 300k/yr-more than I ever imagined by hitting my sales goals each quarter.

I picked sales because I'm outgoing, confident, and not too hard on the eyes. I also primarily wanted to WFH so I could get the kids off the bus. I also was up front about my family in the interview process. The hiring manager (a man) has a SAHW and we related in the interview process around children.

Sorry to rain on your bitter party, but it was pretty wonderful to be home while my children were small and jump back to wiotk wtih a high salary upside, in a family friendly career.

Hmmmmm. Follow the bolded print.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shocking, I just got back into the work force 2 years ago after 8 years being at home with the kids. It took me a whole 2 months to find work and I had two offers to choose from. I'm in IT sales to the feds and am pulling in 300k/yr-more than I ever imagined by hitting my sales goals each quarter.

I picked sales because I'm outgoing, confident, and not too hard on the eyes. I also primarily wanted to WFH so I could get the kids off the bus. I also was up front about my family in the interview process. The hiring manager (a man) has a SAHW and we related in the interview process around children.

Sorry to rain on your bitter party, but it was pretty wonderful to be home while my children were small and jump back to wiotk wtih a high salary upside, in a family friendly career.

Oh my god, why do you think this thread is about you at all? You obviously were competent in your interview if you got a highly remunerated job...it's not bitter to suggest all SAHMs understand the best way to interview and be aware of potentially off-putting behaviors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shocking, I just got back into the work force 2 years ago after 8 years being at home with the kids. It took me a whole 2 months to find work and I had two offers to choose from. I'm in IT sales to the feds and am pulling in 300k/yr-more than I ever imagined by hitting my sales goals each quarter.

I picked sales because I'm outgoing, confident, and not too hard on the eyes. I also primarily wanted to WFH so I could get the kids off the bus. I also was up front about my family in the interview process. The hiring manager (a man) has a SAHW and we related in the interview process around children.

Sorry to rain on your bitter party, but it was pretty wonderful to be home while my children were small and jump back to wiotk wtih a high salary upside, in a family friendly career.

Hmmmmm. Follow the bolded print.

THAT makes sense!

[Anonymous]

I think the days of taking 10 years off and expecting to re-enter are coming to an end. The fact is some companies do have family-friendly policies and those are to retain talent, not recruit talent who took time off. Daycare at work, nice pumping lounges, paid maternity leave, etc. are not going there to attract women who took years off to stay home and don't need any of these perks.

It is a competitive world out there, and many, many women have kids and stay in the workforce. I think in this area it is something like 70%? So the thinking is that women can balance work and family. I'm not saying women shouldn't stay home. There are many good reasons why that would be compelling - special needs kids, can't afford daycare, husband has an insane job and you can't get any flexibility, etc. But I do think women who make this decision should consider staying connected to their field, and maybe not taking so many years off. I know it's too late if you've done that already, but it is something to think about if my daughters ask me down the road whether they should work or stay home (if they have that choice or face that decision).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shocking, I just got back into the work force 2 years ago after 8 years being at home with the kids. It took me a whole 2 months to find work and I had two offers to choose from. I'm in IT sales to the feds and am pulling in 300k/yr-more than I ever imagined by hitting my sales goals each quarter.

I picked sales because I'm outgoing, confident, and not too hard on the eyes. I also primarily wanted to WFH so I could get the kids off the bus. I also was up front about my family in the interview process. The hiring manager (a man) has a SAHW and we related in the interview process around children.

Sorry to rain on your bitter party, but it was pretty wonderful to be home while my children were small and jump back to wiotk wtih a high salary upside, in a family friendly career.

Yikes. With federal spending cuts (mostly in IT), you'd better polish up your resume. I can guarantee you won't be making anywhere close to that amount next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shocking, I just got back into the work force 2 years ago after 8 years being at home with the kids. It took me a whole 2 months to find work and I had two offers to choose from. I'm in IT sales to the feds and am pulling in 300k/yr-more than I ever imagined by hitting my sales goals each quarter.

I picked sales because I'm outgoing, confident, and not too hard on the eyes. I also primarily wanted to WFH so I could get the kids off the bus. I also was up front about my family in the interview process. The hiring manager (a man) has a SAHW and we related in the interview process around children.

Sorry to rain on your bitter party, but it was pretty wonderful to be home while my children were small and jump back to wiotk wtih a high salary upside, in a family friendly career.

not too hard on the eyes

Oh Lord - What a way to empower women.

And your arrogant attitude doesn't help either.

FWIW, I work, and although most of my close pals work, you would never be invited in.

poison

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shocking, I just got back into the work force 2 years ago after 8 years being at home with the kids. It took me a whole 2 months to find work and I had two offers to choose from. I'm in IT sales to the feds and am pulling in 300k/yr-more than I ever imagined by hitting my sales goals each quarter.

I picked sales because I'm outgoing, confident, and not too hard on the eyes. I also primarily wanted to WFH so I could get the kids off the bus. I also was up front about my family in the interview process. The hiring manager (a man) has a SAHW and we related in the interview process around children.

Sorry to rain on your bitter party, but it was pretty wonderful to be home while my children were small and jump back to wiotk wtih a high salary upside, in a family friendly career.

Hmmmmm. Follow the bolded print.

LOL!

I love the pattern you detected, PP! Are you in the criminal justice field?????

[Anonymous]

Those of you who are jumping all over 15:58 are saying more about yourselves in your threads than about her. Why can't you just acknowledge that SAHM's can actually be competent professionals and can get themselves back in the workforce if they present themselves well? No, instead you're insinuating that she got her job because the hiring guy had the hots for her. That's real mature. Yet you turn around and ask for respect for choosing to WOH- and you deserve respect- but respect goes both ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those of you who are jumping all over 15:58 are saying more about yourselves in your threads than about her. Why can't you just acknowledge that SAHM's can actually be competent professionals and can get themselves back in the workforce if they present themselves well? No, instead you're insinuating that she got her job because the hiring guy had the hots for her. That's real mature. Yet you turn around and ask for respect for choosing to WOH- and you deserve respect- but respect goes both ways.

No true professional refers to herself as easy on the eyes in terms of interviewing for a job. She brought it into the discussion. Have you ever brought up your looks when referring to a job interview? Yeah, me neither.