My mom. Working at Nordstrom. It was very sad.

My mother stayed home until her 40s. Never worked after college. Once we were more independent (high school age), she volunteered for an organization. After many years as a volunteer she was eventually hired to work full time as an admin. She's 60 now and still working. Volunteering can be a good way to make connections.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, everyone. I'd love to hear more stories (good or bad). I had my first kid during grad school, did a short post-doc, had kid 2 and have been home since then (couple of years). Would like to go back at some point but not yet. But it's commonly repeated that it's difficult or impossible to go back after time off. So I am interested in hearing people's experiences.

I'm in almost the exact position, except that I had kid1 as a postdoc. Planning to look for a new postdoc-level position in the near future. Depending on your field, there are grants to help women return to the workforce. I easily found a position in a lab last year, but my family ended up relocating so I turned it down. I think as long as you are willing to start back at the bottom where you left off (for low pay and grunt work), you'll be fine.

Thanks, everyone. I'd love to hear more stories (good or bad). I had my first kid during grad school, did a short post-doc, had kid 2 and have been home since then (couple of years). Would like to go back at some point but not yet. But it's commonly repeated that it's difficult or impossible to go back after time off. So I am interested in hearing people's experiences.

Out 12 years. I wasn't *really* looking, so 3 resumes in 6 months for jobs I actually wanted to go back for; got the 3rd one. I had a checkered career, so no. Love it! Easier: it's in the creative field, something that was always a hobby, so I had a vast, obsessive knowledge of field. Also, it took me a few weeks to get to full-time, due to training, which helped with transition. Ramping up my online presence helped. Zero regrets. Well, I guess I regret beating myself up for SAHM years since I have another 20+ years to 65. GL!

Anonymous wrote:PP, are you comfortable naming the temp agency you used to get your current job?

Yes. I went through Sparks in Tysons. Kerry Adler helped me. The job they placed me in does not come up very often, but I think they really helped me. They helped shape my resume so that the 11 year gap in employment didn't stand out. Instead of a normal resume they had me do a functional resume instead of a chronological resume.

Anonymous wrote:If you were out of the workforce for 5+ years caring for kids, then returned to work:15
-how long did it take you up find a job? 2 years, finally found position through a friend of my husband who is vp of the company
-was the job in your original field? What field? IT
-are you happy with the job? nope - currently doing busy work, but the flexibility, being able to WFH at times r the big pluses.
-what do you think made it easier/harder to return? I'm 54 - I would much be rather be at home, but having kids late, and now in private, we need the extra $$. Easier - if I had kept up with technology....
-any regrets?

yes and no... enjoyed the time at home with kids, but I probably should of gone back sooner, or work part time. I'm exhausted and miserable..lol...


answering for the wife..

For me, after having been out for 6 years, I found some part-time consulting work. I am a generalist- think HR, Finance, IT. The work I did was low level but I made it sound important on my resume and it helped to make my skills and experience appear more current. It took me about a month to get an interview but I landed the first job I interviewed for.

PP, are you comfortable naming the temp agency you used to get your current job?

Hi OP. I just started working January of this year after being a SAHM for 11 years. Once I started looking aggressively it took me about 6 months. My first job was working as a Real Estate Assistant for $15/hr it was a huge blow to my ego, but I wanted to get back out there and it was a PT job that was very flexible and did not require any childcare. Worked that for 4 months, then my DH lost his job. I researched some temp agencies and found a job I'm currently on assignment for making a decent salary. Although it's a temp job, I do think it has potential for me to land a FT permanent job there. I didn't really have a career before kids. I was an Admin assistant and did some HR work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This would be an excellent question for the Jobs forum OP.

You will get much better advice in there since yours is a common question.

I am not the OP. However, I am pretty sure this is the Jobs forum. Is there another Jobs forum?

OP here. I originally posted in Off Topic, then the thread was moved to the Jobs forum.

Anonymous wrote:This would be an excellent question for the Jobs forum OP.

You will get much better advice in there since yours is a common question.

I am not the OP. However, I am pretty sure this is the Jobs forum. Is there another Jobs forum?

Thanks! I'd somehow missed that forum.

This would be an excellent question for the Jobs forum OP.

You will get much better advice in there since yours is a common question.

If you were out of the workforce for 5+ years caring for kids, then returned to work:
-how long did it take you up find a job?
-was the job in your original field? What field?
-are you happy with the job?
-what do you think made it easier/harder to return?
-any regrets?