Anonymous
Post 07/07/2023 14:35     Subject: Unicorn of a job - does this exist?
I think you can find something WFH and 30-35 hours. But if you want 40 hours and after school care is the only obstacle, private companies offer after care in areas where the school after care has a wait list. YMCA or a martial arts place or a daycare will run an aftercare with a bus.
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2023 14:23     Subject: Unicorn of a job - does this exist?
Honestly I think you're best bet is to find consulting work, which I know isn't what you want, but you've got to get something on your resume before anyone will hire you FT with all that flexibility.
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2023 14:22     Subject: Unicorn of a job - does this exist?
Anonymous wrote:I could use some career advice, please.

I am coming off a long hiatus from the workforce after being a SAHM. I am now a newly divorced single mom with two elementary aged kids who will be living with me full time. I need to find a job that I can do remote for 30-40 hours per week while my kids are in school that has flexibility in order to take them to school and pick them up in the afternoons (one of my kids requires medical appointments late afternoons twice a week). Hybrid would be hard but I could make it work if it were 1-2 days a week and I could find a dedicated babysitter.

I have 20 years experience in corporate marketing and a Masters degree. I am OK returning to something entry level and low pay to get my feet wet again; I used to be at senior manager level but know I may have to start again at an assistant level. I am also OK doing a career pivot, and have been looking at other options like a virtual secretary, but even that somehow is hard to break into. I prefer a W-2 job to a 1099. I would love benefits (paying OOP for medical for myself now, luckily kids are covered still on their dad's plan) but know I likely will not get them if not FT.

I have been scouring LinkedIn, Indeed, Idealist, SimplyHired, Upwork, SimplrFlex, FlexJobs, and other sites without much success. I have my profile submitted to temp agencies and recruiting firms, and am spending time networking, have a career coach hired, and reworked my resume.

Any suggestions I am not thinking of? The only other option I am sad to admit I am considering is cleaning houses because I can do it when the kids are at school.

Yes! I just negotiated this. 9-3 pm, Director-level role so I could pick up my child. Remote with ocasional travel for team meetings 2-3 times a year.
Negotiating skills are key!
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2023 13:58     Subject: Re:Unicorn of a job - does this exist?
I think it's the wrong tack to try to do a pivot or go back to an entry level job. The kinds of jobs you're describing do exist, but they are for people who are senior in their careers, with established trust and credibility. An entry level job is going to be brutal on your schedule - not to mention your mental health, if you really do have 20 yrs of experience. IMO you should find a senior marketing job in a low key, "unsexy" company. It will probably pay more too, so you could even get after care childcare if necessary.

Do you have anyone from your old professional network you can talk to?
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2023 13:39     Subject: Unicorn of a job - does this exist?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would consider moving. Lots of lovely small cities without any waits for after care, camp, etc. Do you have family somewhere?


+1, I would GTFO of the DMV, it's toxic. I recommend Chapel Hill, NC.

You've responded with equiminity to the nosy, negative and bragging typical Bs on this board. You deserve better. Move to a positive place and don't look back! Leave these Bs to their miserable striving, insecurity and planet-killing.


You don’t sound like a positive person here, ironically.
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2023 13:39     Subject: Unicorn of a job - does this exist?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Everyone who is recommending teaching needs to stop. There's a dire teacher shortage and not good for kids or families to suggest that someone who has never shown an ounce of interest in teaching go into the field. I hate when people think it's an easy solution to so many of life's logistical challenges. "Just be a teacher!" LOL.


It’s not easy, but it does meet OP’s needs at this point in her life.


No it doesn’t - it is incredibly inflexible and no remote option.
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2023 13:35     Subject: Unicorn of a job - does this exist?
Anonymous wrote:Most jobs don’t advertise being 100% remote. For example mine said it was based in Washington DC and up to 25% travel. In reality I’ve been to the office once or twice this year and never travel. I am effectively 10l% remote. But most places are looking to hire people who have the capacity to occasionally go to sites, meet with customers, travel etc., so the listings include a requirement for onsite/travel. Then, the ability to wfh is a pleasant surprise.

I think you’d find that many beltway consulting type companies are heavily wfh.

My advice would be to find some listings that really match your background and unless they specifically indicate they are on customer site, apply and see what happens.

You are highly experienced so find a good job that will either compensate you enough to hire part time help, or afford you the flexibility to manage as a single parent - rather than selling yourself short with an entry level job.


+1 this describes my job

Though our ability to remain fully WFH is not guaranteed (unlike some remote jobs)
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2023 13:24     Subject: Unicorn of a job - does this exist?
If you’re in the DC area, look at FlexProfessionals (different from FlexJobs). They specialize in helping women return to the workforce and all of their postings require some sort of flexibility. It’s how I found a job after being a SAHM for 10 years. Good luck!
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2023 12:55     Subject: Unicorn of a job - does this exist?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would consider moving. Lots of lovely small cities without any waits for after care, camp, etc. Do you have family somewhere?


+1, I would GTFO of the DMV, it's toxic. I recommend Chapel Hill, NC.

You've responded with equiminity to the nosy, negative and bragging typical Bs on this board. You deserve better. Move to a positive place and don't look back! Leave these Bs to their miserable striving, insecurity and planet-killing.


Chapel Hill is beautiful and lower cost of living than here. This is a great rec. Lots of university jobs that are low-key hours with good benefits, and a pool of potential babysitters/nannies among the students.


Bless you for your positive and substantive answer to OP. OP, you can start over in a good place.

Bs, please stay away from Chapel Hill. No road ragey drivers, name-droppers or subtle tear-downers are welcome. It's a place for pollinator yards, not Round-up and judgment.
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2023 12:53     Subject: Unicorn of a job - does this exist?
Community college professor. Best job when kids are small.
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2023 12:52     Subject: Unicorn of a job - does this exist?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would consider moving. Lots of lovely small cities without any waits for after care, camp, etc. Do you have family somewhere?


+1, I would GTFO of the DMV, it's toxic. I recommend Chapel Hill, NC.

You've responded with equiminity to the nosy, negative and bragging typical Bs on this board. You deserve better. Move to a positive place and don't look back! Leave these Bs to their miserable striving, insecurity and planet-killing.


Chapel Hill is beautiful and lower cost of living than here. This is a great rec. Lots of university jobs that are low-key hours with good benefits, and a pool of potential babysitters/nannies among the students.
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2023 12:50     Subject: Unicorn of a job - does this exist?
Anonymous wrote:I would consider moving. Lots of lovely small cities without any waits for after care, camp, etc. Do you have family somewhere?


+1, I would GTFO of the DMV, it's toxic. I recommend Chapel Hill, NC.

You've responded with equiminity to the nosy, negative and bragging typical Bs on this board. You deserve better. Move to a positive place and don't look back! Leave these Bs to their miserable striving, insecurity and planet-killing.
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2023 12:43     Subject: Unicorn of a job - does this exist?
Op I highly suggest looking into working at a recruiting agency. This is my exact set up. I average 30ish hours per week while my kids are in school with occasional evening calls after bedtime. My calendar for candidate interviews is set to my personal availability. And I can recruit/make job posts/do references, etc on my own time. My first year I made $56k, second year 72k, last year $110k and am on track to do about the same this year (base pay plus commissions on placements). But I know the field I recruit in well and have built a name for myself. I make sure to be very responsive, honest, accurately market open positions, accurately portray candidates to my clients, and it all works well for me to get a ton of personal recommendations for new clients and candidates. There are so many shoddy recruiters that if you maintain high standards for yourself it easily shows and you'll gain traction relatively quickly.
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2023 12:19     Subject: Re:Unicorn of a job - does this exist?
I think you need to commit to a full time job to get a decent amount of remote time and flexibility. You will need to find an afternoon sitter or get an au pair. A remote/flexible PT job is going to the person whose proven themselves at a company and wants to scale back. Alternatively, maybe you can string together some freelance projects but that has its own stresses.

I would not apply to much below the level you left. When I'd been home for 7 years I had the same feeling of needing to apply lower but in actuality I think I came across as over qualified. When I reconnected with some former colleagues they wanted to recommend me for jobs a step up from where'd left. I ultimately got a job at the same level I'd left with great flexibility plus regular WAH day (long before covid). I work at a non-profit.
Anonymous
Post 07/07/2023 12:11     Subject: Unicorn of a job - does this exist?
Anonymous wrote:Could you work AT a school? Same hours as kids.


Office and Administrative Assistant positions, at least in FCPS, are extremely competitive right now due to so many teachers leaving the classroom but staying in the school system. Other jobs you could do within a school environment such as IA or Monitor frankly, don't pay living wages if you are the primary breadwinner. I know everyone seems to think it's easy to get a school position, but they're not. Good luck OP, it's a bit tough out there trying to reenter the workforce.