hiring question

[Anonymous]

I'm a working mom and a feminist. I have always been friendly to the idea of helping women get back in the workforce. But... as a hiring manager, I've gotten badly bitten by hiring SAH moms returning to work. First, they often have very inflated sense of value because, understandably, they once did have good salaries and a lot of interesting work. They forget that they often had those high salaries and responsibilities because their primary focus was often their job, not their families. It's understandable that they want to focus on their families, but that is not always compatible with high salary.

Second, they have been far out of date in terms of technology, computer applications and so forth. This is not that easy to teach and it can really undermine productivity. For instance, if you have digital contract files, it's not easy to explain the system to someone who's used to a paper file system. If you do a lot of work in Excel, it's not that easy to find time to sit down and train someone on how to use formulas, pivot tables, insert a chart, etc.

I'm now looking for a PT grantwriter. I've gotten some resumes from people phasing down (retired from primary jobs but interested in having some cash coming in) and some resumes from graduate students and some resumes from SAH moms. I hate to say it, but I'm tempted to delete the resumes from the SAH moms. I've just had so many negative experiences.

Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

well I certainly think they are lots of SAH moms (former) that you've described, but not ALL of them. you should be able to weed them out.
older folks near retirement can be entitled and have an attitude and grad students/kids can be lazy etc.

you need certain things, screen for them. ask if they can use excel, ask how they balance work/home, ask how they've kept up and challenge them with examples.
use your bullshit detector.

[Anonymous]

I think this poster is a troll.

[Anonymous]

Not a lawyer here, but I'm pretty sure you can't ask how they balance work and home. Just ask about the skills needed for the job.

[Anonymous]

Op, I do a lot of hiring and I understand some of your sentiments. But in my experience it would be to remove the "SAHM" part and apply it to lots of folks. As a hiring manager it is so easy to be biased certain groups of folks (millennials anyone?). I really encourage you to take the advice of the first PP. Develop your list of must haves and screen for it. For example if Excel is critical to your job, the fact that a woman stayed at home for 5 years is irrelevant if her resume states she she just competed an advanced Excel class. She could warrant a screen and you could ask detailed questions on what her skills are post-class.

Please hang in there. Being a hiring manager is rough and discouraging. I found 3 gems last year and I am grateful for them every day - and I frequently tell then how glad I am that they are part of the team.

[Anonymous]

How many years have these women been out of the workforce that they haven't use digital filing or excel??

[Anonymous]

I don't understand what your issue is. Hire somebody with excell skills if you need that. Or have them take a class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a working mom and a feminist. I have always been friendly to the idea of helping women get back in the workforce. But... as a hiring manager, I've gotten badly bitten by hiring SAH moms returning to work. First, they often have very inflated sense of value because, understandably, they once did have good salaries and a lot of interesting work. They forget that they often had those high salaries and responsibilities because their primary focus was often their job, not their families. It's understandable that they want to focus on their families, but that is not always compatible with high salary.

Second, they have been far out of date in terms of technology, computer applications and so forth. This is not that easy to teach and it can really undermine productivity. For instance, if you have digital contract files, it's not easy to explain the system to someone who's used to a paper file system. If you do a lot of work in Excel, it's not that easy to find time to sit down and train someone on how to use formulas, pivot tables, insert a chart, etc.

I'm now looking for a PT grantwriter. I've gotten some resumes from people phasing down (retired from primary jobs but interested in having some cash coming in) and some resumes from graduate students and some resumes from SAH moms. I hate to say it, but I'm tempted to delete the resumes from the SAH moms. I've just had so many negative experiences.

Any thoughts?

How old are your stay at home moms if they have never used Excel and the last time they worked people were still using paper filing systems?

That doesn't sound like you are hiring stay at home moms who were in the work force prior to having kids. That sounds like you are hiring career stay at home moms who waited to job search until their youngest of three was finished with college and safely married.

[Anonymous]

Can I email you a resume? My husband is recently unemployed and would love a part-time position. He is up-to-date on all technology!

[Anonymous]

A paper file system? Pivot tables? Inserting a chart? I'm a SAHM and I can model in star schemas. I'm embarrassed for you.

[Anonymous]

I had a class in college that people in my major called "Excel hell" hire me?

[Anonymous]

I'm a former SAHM and from day one I have been the person everyone comes to with Excel, Word, and other software questions. Admittedly, I work with an older demographic.

OP, your reasoning is a great excuse to discriminate against so many different demographic groups. SAHMs for the reasons you mentioned. Older workers for not being up to date on tech. Non native English speakers, or people with names that sound "ethnic" because their English might not be good. Women of childbearing age, because they might get pregnant and leave. All of a sudden, who are you left hiring?

Young white men.

I agree with the PP gee that the problem is not hiring SAHMs. I think you just need to improve your vetting process to make sure that you are screening for the qualities that are vital to the job.

[Anonymous]

Just delete the SAHM from your hiring search.

You would be doing them a favor, because it sounds like you have pre-judged their skill-set and would be nightmare to work for.

I just re-entered the workforce after a (very glorious!) 5 year break. Thankfully, my manager sees that I do bring a lot to the table and that 5 years did not sink me career-wise.

So, yes, please delete the resumes.

I would not want to work for someone like you.

Oh, and for the wiseguys out there, I am earning exactly what I was earning 5 years ago-- and have tons of promotional positions to move into in the next couple of years. So courage to all SAHMs!!! Hopefully, employers like OP do delete your resumes so that you can find GOOD EMPLOYERS willing to not penalize you for taking time to care for your families!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just delete the SAHM from your hiring search.

You would be doing them a favor, because it sounds like you have pre-judged their skill-set and would be nightmare to work for.

I just re-entered the workforce after a (very glorious!) 5 year break. Thankfully, my manager sees that I do bring a lot to the table and that 5 years did not sink me career-wise.

So, yes, please delete the resumes.

I would not want to work for someone like you.

Oh, and for the wiseguys out there, I am earning exactly what I was earning 5 years ago-- and have tons of promotional positions to move into in the next couple of years. So courage to all SAHMs!!! Hopefully, employers like OP do delete your resumes so that you can find GOOD EMPLOYERS willing to not penalize you for taking time to care for your families!

Congrats! Sounds like it is win-win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just delete the SAHM from your hiring search.?You would be doing them a favor, because it sounds like you have pre-judged their skill-set and would be nightmare to work for.

I just re-entered the workforce after a (very glorious!) 5 year break. Thankfully, my manager sees that I do bring a lot to the table and that 5 years did not sink me career-wise.

So, yes, please delete the resumes.

I would not want to work for someone like you.

Oh, and for the wiseguys out there, I am earning exactly what I was earning 5 years ago-- and have tons of promotional positions to move into in the next couple of years. So courage to all SAHMs!!! Hopefully, employers like OP do delete your resumes so that you can find GOOD EMPLOYERS willing to not penalize you for taking time to care for your families!

What field are you in?