Reply to s/o SAHM for 20 years, where do I begin to find a job?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Honestly, the [b]climb might be too steep[/b]. Why don't you [b]capitalize on the skills and innate talents you [/b] [u]ALREADY HAVE[/u] and offer yourself as a personal assistant for working families? I pay my PA $35-40/hour, which is a bit on the higher side (lots of complicated billing/medical issues). Others I know make $25-30.[/quote]

I agree with this.

What are your hobbies, OP? Are you handy? Do you have a great eye for organization or decorating? Were you the PTA auction chair and able to raise a ton of $$$?

I think you need to look at your current skills.[/quote]

I'm a former SAHM for 12 years (age 48) and I agree with the above, based on my experience trying to on-ramp back into the workforce with skills similar to OP's.   I tweaked the advice a little above, because "SAHM skills" are just "people skills" -- unless you mean changing diapers or actions truly tied only to [u]mothering[/u].   (i.e., working mothers organize too, you know.  They also raise PTA money  :wink: ).

After not getting any solid bites by using some of common advice on this very thread -- volunteer! leverage the PTA/organizational thing! -- I assessed my strengths and went back to school for a Master's that builds on that specific area.

So for OP, that might mean a certificate from George Mason or GW in, say, medical editing.  (side note to OP:  nobody pays others to write or edit anymore.  It's depressing, but new economy employers don't care .  Only exception I've found is medical / technical / academics.  But forget about, say, "journalism").

[/quote]

OP. I know journalism is dead, but there are lots of publications, airline magazines, for example, newsletters, etc. that must need some sort of editor. College alumni publications, etc. I'm not sure I could find or get any of these editing jobs, but they must exist. Someone has to edit those publications. I don't think I could edit medical or technical journals. I've done some of that in my past and it was excruciating.

Other things I've thought of: librarian (I love books!); social worker (I love to talk to people about their problems!); historic preservation (I love old buildings!). I assume all of these would require another master's degree,which I can't afford without a job. A certificate is likely the most I could manage.

Thanks for the suggestions. I can see this will be a long process. [/quote]

Lots of those publications use independant contractors. They work virtually and cheaply.. But you are showing your age. Writing for blogs and the web is a far bigger field today as well as one that is easier to get into.

The very first thing you need to do is come to terms with the fact that your experience and skills from working briefly 20 yrs ago does not matter. You are starting all over again. You need to get comfortable in a work environment and routine. This is why volunteering could be very valuable. Commit to a 40 hour a week schedule. Get used to going to an office or job again. Get used to someone else telling you what to do.  Get up to speed on technology, knowing how to open Word and typing a letter is not enough for most entry level admins today, they need to be able to do advanced formatting. How familiar are you with other options like google docs?

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