SAHM looking for work: how to explain my absence of 8.5 years.

[Anonymous]

I wasn't in business, or law, so maybe it won't be as much of an issue but after an eight year absence I'm beginning to seek employment in the social services field and send my resume out.
I now have two school-aged children, and when my oldest was born 8.5 years ago it made sense financially to stay at home -- as much as I loved my field, I didn't earn enough to afford childcare for my growing family.
I didn't expect to stay home as long as I did, but my youngest had some developmental delays and I was pretty consumed by that for a long time. I'm afraid I just let the ball drop and didn't stay connected to my work life.

So now here I am ready to submit my resume to social service agencies and am wondering how to address the almost nine year gap in my resume. I have been doing some volunteer work in my field since last spring, and plan to continue.
But there's really a black hole. I realize this would put me at a major disadvantage if I were in a high-paying, high-powered field, but that's not the case. Still, I am concerned about how to handle this.

Would really appreciate any feedback or advice.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I would snap you up in a NY minute if I could! I love parents who opt for doing the hard work of FT parenting themselves.

Did you check with The Women's Center in Vienna? Seems like they would really value your family priorities, but I could be wrong.

I believe you'll have many attractive job offers, OP.

[Anonymous]

I would just say you've been a stay at home mom

[Anonymous]

I had a similar gap on my résumé. I just put in the volunteer positions I had held, and tailored my résumé to highlight skills. In cover letters, I explained that I was a full-time parent for x years. Interviewing, I found that some employers really valued the experience of a full-time parent/volunteer, and others did not. I took that as an indicator as to how good of a fit the employer would be! I only wanted to work in a place that would be family-friendly, and understanding/appreciative of the challenges of being an at-home parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a similar gap on my résumé. I just put in the volunteer positions I had held, and tailored my résumé to highlight skills. In cover letters, I explained that I was a full-time parent for x years. Interviewing, I found that some employers really valued the experience of a full-time parent/volunteer, and others did not. I took that as an indicator as to how good of a fit the employer would be! I only wanted to work in a place that would be family-friendly, and understanding/appreciative of the challenges of being an at-home parent.

+1

[Anonymous]

What's wrong with telling the truth? You almost sound like you are apologizing for being a SAHM. Seriously, you didn't go to prison for 8.5 years. You stay home to take care of your kids.

[Anonymous]

tell the truth and like pp suggested, put in resume any information that relates (at all) to the jobs you seek.

For example, you are seeking a job in social services and have a child who required more care than you imagined. So, you have skills figuring out (exactly what you fill in).

[Anonymous]

If you have a child with developmental delays, check out this posting:

https://www.healthcaresource.com/cnmc/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.jobDetails&template=dsp_job_details.cfm&cJobId=144243

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would snap you up in a NY minute if I could! I love parents who opt for doing the hard work of FT parenting themselves.

Did you check with The Women's Center in Vienna? Seems like they would really value your family priorities, but I could be wrong.

I believe you'll have many attractive job offers, OP.

I'm sure you're running a very successful organization, right? Because your priorities are hiring people who leave the workforce? That's a recipe for success!


OP, just be honest and say you left to care for family. A good manager/interviewer will understand and will look at your professional qualifications and hire you if your attitude and skills are right for the job.

[Anonymous]

Wouldn't say I dropped the ball on an interview.

[Anonymous]

A family medical issue required you to leave the workforce. No will press what it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A family medical issue required you to leave the workforce. No will press what it is.

Bad to lie when starting out a job. Being a SAHM isn't anything to be ashamed of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would snap you up in a NY minute if I could! I love parents who opt for doing the hard work of FT parenting themselves.

Did you check with The Women's Center in Vienna? Seems like they would really value your family priorities, but I could be wrong.

I believe you'll have many attractive job offers, OP.

I'm sure you're running a very successful organization, right? Because your priorities are hiring people who leave the workforce? That's a recipe for success!


OP, just be honest and say you left to care for family. A good manager/interviewer will understand and will look at your professional qualifications and hire you if your attitude and skills are right for the job.

How do you know what PP is doing with her life? I run several sucessful organizations and I prioritize people who can get shit done and move on. Mothers with kids at home work well with my management style because I don't have time for the games, bs, and taking 2 weeks to do something that takes 4 hours. Many moms want to do their work, do it well, and get back to the kids. Great. I don't work well with kiss asses who think I will be impressed with making work their life.

Just do your job, do it well, and let's all go home.

I am unique though as I value efficiency over schmoozing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would snap you up in a NY minute if I could! I love parents who opt for doing the hard work of FT parenting themselves.

Did you check with The Women's Center in Vienna? Seems like they would really value your family priorities, but I could be wrong.

I believe you'll have many attractive job offers, OP.

I'm sure you're running a very successful organization, right? Because your priorities are hiring people who leave the workforce? That's a recipe for success!


OP, just be honest and say you left to care for family. A good manager/interviewer will understand and will look at your professional qualifications and hire you if your attitude and skills are right for the job.

How do you know what PP is doing with her life? I run several sucessful organizations and I prioritize people who can get shit done and move on. Mothers with kids at home work well with my management style because I don't have time for the games, bs, and taking 2 weeks to do something that takes 4 hours. Many moms want to do their work, do it well, and get back to the kids. Great. I don't work well with kiss asses who think I will be impressed with making work their life.

Just do your job, do it well, and let's all go home.

I am unique though as I value efficiency over schmoozing.

Well said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a similar gap on my résumé. I just put in the volunteer positions I had held, and tailored my résumé to highlight skills. In cover letters, I explained that I was a full-time parent for x years. Interviewing, I found that some employers really valued the experience of a full-time parent/volunteer, and others did not. I took that as an indicator as to how good of a fit the employer would be! I only wanted to work in a place that would be family-friendly, and understanding/appreciative of the challenges of being an at-home parent.

You're in your 30s, right? I'm in my 50s, stayed home for 18 years, and can't get so much as a response to my resume. Interview? Ha! I'd love to get an interview! I went to an Ivy and have an advanced degree, many years of work experience, but it's all OLD, as am I. I'd hoped to get back in the same field at a lower salary, but it's not going to happen for me. I'm going to go back to school and get a degree in a different field. All those years of work, flushed away!

I put my volunteer experience (doing publicity for my kids schools, organizing events, etc.) on my resume, but none of it matters. I did two part time jobs, including teaching at a university, but that didn't help either. I'm OLD, and that's the problem.

Sorry, OP. Just ranting. You'll find a job as long as you're UNDER 50, don't bother hiding your gap, just say you've been home with kids, and highlight your volunteer work. I'm sure you'll find something soon.