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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]If you returned to work after being at home for several years--5, 7, 10 years, who did you use as a reference for your new job?

Previous supervisors move companies and can be hard to track down; people retire.  Did you use neighbors or people you worked with in volunteer situations?[/quote]

I would be creative - even if you can track down former bosses.

Something like:

Experience:

Jones & Jones   1998-Present

Worked for Messers Jones and Jones almost exclusively for the past 10 years.  I was a diligent and devoted worker - often spending around the clock at the office.   Responsibilities initially included birthing, burping and feeding; but as I gained experience I was promoted to cook, chief bedtime story reader, and Executive VP of Bumps and Bruises.   In my last few years, I have been counselor, bus driver and cheerleader and also the bank.  The Jones' love me.

Or something like that.  :)[/quote]

I'm the author of this "stupid" post.  I'm also a present CEO and President.  I have run 5 companies over the past 15 years, my last company I worked with was sold for almost $1 billion.   I understand what makes up a good staff, and Board.  In a sense, I "hire" for a living.

Here's why I think humour would benefit the OP.   If I read something like that (and all SAHM's could do the same thing) here is what I see:

1) someone who is confident.
2) someone who is motivated to do something different - and positive.
3) someone who has humility - and empathy for others.
4) someone who can lead.
5) someone who obviously is a team player
6) someone who can handle stress; is great with logistics; and is battle scarred and can deal with pressure
7) someone who probably helped others to become their best - who put others needs before her own.
8) someone who can not just spot a problem - but has 10 years of finding solutions.
9) someone who is probably very positive - not negative (read a lot of these comments).
10) SOMEONE THAT I OUGHT TO INTERVIEW and I won't be bored.

If she's as good as she seems - I'm hiring her.   But the humour turns something that is "blah" into something that is "wow" and MEANINGFUL to my business.  I need people with the traits that I listed...and good parents (like many of you here on DCUMD) make GREAT employees. IMO.   To many of you negative posters - my guess is that your view of the OP's situation is myopic.  Sorry I disagree.

The truth of the matter is that the OP has been out of the workforce - and her strategy is rely on stale recommendations.   That is going to make for a horribly boring resume...and you can't hide that you've been out of the workplace for that long.  Business in general has changed.  You're a relic and a dinosaur.  Even the "resume" is going out of fashion.

A company is going to tend to value you at the same value you place on yourself.   So set it high.   Translate your skills in to things that make sense to a business.

Just my 2 cents.  Good luck OP....but don't lead with "stale" skills and references.  That's a first class ticket to the circular file.

Be proud of what you've done - and translate that into what I need for my business - and you're hired![/quote]

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