Getting My First Job at 36

[fey_spirit]

For reasons that I choose not to go into I find myself in a situation of trying to find work for the first time in 13 years, and my work life prior to this was extremely limited.

I have worked at Neilson on the telephones, and worked hawking cards at a bingo hall on Ft Knox. I also volunteered at the Salvation Army thrift store, and worked as a secretary at our local elementary school one summer when I was a teen.

What can I do to improve my chances - esp in the current economy?

 

[Christine]

You need to have a resume that outlines everything you've done and highlight your strong qualities (are you organized, outgoing, people-oriented).

Then, be prepared to take ANYTHING so that you can get some recent work experience. My DD has been in the process of job hunting (with very little experience) and we have found that having a one-year plus gap of no work experience (and very little to begin with) has hindered her. There are so many experienced people out of a job that they are taking jobs that used to be for high school/college students.

I think your maturity level will at least give you a leg up on the younger candidates. To some degree, employers like some maturity.

 

[J Le]

Good or bad, interviewers are going to ask about the gap in work history. When I interview and I see a big gap I ask about it. Typically its family related - like I took time off to have and raise a family. I always encourage people to account for that on a resume--its a full time job!

When someone says its personal and prefers not to share, I don't push but and it makes it harder to evaluate how right someone is for the job. The best answer I got was something like, "I won't lie and give you a valid explanation but it's not just my story to share so I'm keeping my reasons private. Please know it in no way affects my ability to perform this job and in fact, I learned some important things during that time such as..."

Then there was the guy who told me he hadn't worked because he was in prison.

 

[Micca]

I'd definitely come up with some productive/constructive things you've accomplished during your time away from the workforce. Good luck in your search.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Can I ask what you were doing during that time?

If you were at home raising children, or helping with an elderly relative, or making a home, then I think that's experience you can translate into a position in a related field. For example, I know that when we hire assistant teachers at my school (a position that comes with help finding a scholarship to become a lead teacher) parenting experience is considered valuable.

 

[disneyfans95]

I think you need to be realistic. With so limited work experience, it will be VERY hard for you to land anything outside of an entry level position.

With that in mind, you really don't need a beefed up resume because most of those jobs are looking for reliable people that are willing to learn the job. I assume you are one of those people, so you need to sell yourself during the interview.

Like others said, if you were home raising kids or such, be sure to list that along with anything you did volunteer wise. That will explain any large gaps in your resume and hopefully get you a call in.

If it was something non-family related (lets say jail time or such), you might be better off leaving it blank. While they can't descriminate for many jobs due to this, they just won't call you in.

Bottom line, you have to pound the pavement and get in front of people for entry level jobs. Think retail or hotels. Both those industries are pretty open to taking in people with limited or no experience. The biggest thing you can do is be flexible. Being able to work different shifts and weekends will make you a huge draw.

 

[fey_spirit]

In order to clarify, (because it seems that it will help in receiving advice.) I have spent the last decade or so focusing on getting my life/mind under control. I was diagnosed with Bi-polar and borderline personality on top of issues raised by an unfortunate childhood... so no I haven't been raising kids, and I haven't been taking care of anyone but me, I have been working on self healing.

You see the two jobs I mentioned trying led to nervous breakdowns, so although I tried I couldn't maintain work... though I was very popular and a high performer in both jobs until it was time to leave...

This is not exactly something I can tell an employer (heck I'm scared to tell the dis.)

I am stronger then I have ever been, and I am determined to step out into the "real" world and make my own way as an adult - something I have never felt before...

I'm more then willing to take entry level jobs... I will do anything, so long as I can work Mon - Fri starting as early as needed but only until 5:30 or so. Only because my wife and I very much believe in holding our family values to be more important then money. (And this is about money, we have no need for more at this point we are living a very comfortable life at this point ((comfortable for us)), but I want more and the easiest way to attain that seems to be for me to get work.) Anyway the hours are a matter of our primary value being spending as much time together as possible - all the money in the world doesn't mean anything if we are not able to spend it together.

Anyway there you go that's all of it - the good, the bad and the humiliating.

 

[Christine]

No need to be humiliated at all. That is life.

I have an aunt who is bi-polar and her story sounds similar to yours. She is a wonderful person, great personality, good worker, but the bi-polar gets in the way and she tried a couple of times to work and she just couldn't for the long term. She ended up, in her early-30s just giving up and staying at home. She was lucky to have a husband who could support her. She was always well-regarding at work, when she was healthy and she was never fired from a job. *She* just knew she couldn't stay.

I'm not sure how I would address that except to be honest about things when you get to the interview process. There will be some employers that may not be receptive to your situation, but if you can find one that is, that will the job for you. In most cases, honesty is the way to play it.

 

[mhsjax]

Just waned to say that you shouldn't be humiliated by having Bi Polar disorder. It is an illness. Would you be embarrassed by having cancer or diabetes? No you wouldn't, so don't be with this.

Oh and I have no advise. I have been a SAHM for 13 years, I now am at the point where I want to work but don't have to. I think I am heading back to school.

 

[kwelch10377]

You are going to have to have some explanation for why you haven't been working. Most potiential employers aren't going to accept a simple I just didn't work.

I would focus on retail type jobs or some type of front desk job at a hotel or maybe a gym or community center. You could also look at a school cafeteria worker or maybe a janitor. The only thing that maybe an issue for these types of jobs is that you are only available M-F til 5:30. I would also ask around to some family and friends if they have any connections.

I think you will find something, it may just take awhile.

 

[sparklynails23]

Can a mental health agency help you find work? Maybe part time to start with?

 

[LaurenLC]

Any interviewer is going to ask you about the gap. Just be honest, you don't have to go into specifics. I do agree though that you are most likely going to have to start towards the bottom and work your way up.... Good luck! There are still lots of companies hiring!

 

[Handbag Lady]

Well, you can type. You have decent spelling and sentance structure.

Could you possibly look for something along those lines? Do you know Excel or any word programs?

And you can use a computer.

Is there a senior home or community center where you can have a few classes teaching (or just showing, really) the elderly how to use email and such?

Or perhaps look for a job as someone's assistant. I learned the most by being someone's assistant, which then led to a better job. For the hours you are looking for, an office job might work for you. Even just running the copy machine in a law office perhaps?

As for the gap in your employment, I would be truthful in an interview when asked, but I wouldn't put it down on paper WHY there is a gap.

 

[disneyfans95]

Mon-Friday till 5:30pm would lean towards an office position. Most of the hotels/retails will require weekends and/or nights.

Having a gap for mental illness is, of course, very personal. Personally I would just tell people interviewing me that I was a stay at home Dad during that time period and now that the kids are older, you are getting back into the work place.

Basically just don't get into it more then that. Again, entry level, they want to see you show up looking respectable and are hoping to find reliable employees.

 

[fey_spirit]

Saying I was a stay at home Dad would be a bit difficult... as I am not male and do not have children... I think they might wonder if I mentioned being a stay at home parent but then said I had no kids.

Mon-Friday till 5:30pm would lean towards an office position. Most of the hotels/retails will require weekends and/or nights.

Having a gap for mental illness is, of course, very personal. Personally I would just tell people interviewing me that I was a stay at home Dad during that time period and now that the kids are older, you are getting back into the work place.

Basically just don't get into it more then that. Again, entry level, they want to see you show up looking respectable and are hoping to find reliable employees.

 

[Robinrs]

You are a brave and sincere person.

You have a journey ahead, but before anything you must believe it will happen and the RIGHT position for you will find YOU.

I hope you find your dream job soon and can report that here! Be blessed!

 

[Crankyshank]

I would just say that you were a SAHW during that time unless asked specifically during an interview. It's not a lie; you did stay at home and you are a wife. While your illness is nothing to be ashamed of, it will be a strike against you with so many people looking for work (they will likely question your reliability).
Do you have a degree? If so, most colleges (at least around here) have resume and interview workshops for students and alums. I assume you have been under the care of a mental help professional? You might want to check to see if s/he has some sort of job placement relationship with a business, or check with your state Dept of Mental Health for assistance. If not, check with temp agencies. You might not get a FT 9-5 job off the bat though as they are in pretty high demand, but you might luck out with a part time position.

 

[fey_spirit]

The good news is that I would be great with a part time job.
I don't have a degree - school was another one of those things I tried, but just couldn't get through.

I would just say that you were a SAHW during that time unless asked specifically during an interview. It's not a lie; you did stay at home and you are a wife. While your illness is nothing to be ashamed of, it will be a strike against you with so many people looking for work (they will likely question your reliability).
Do you have a degree? If so, most colleges (at least around here) have resume and interview workshops for students and alums. I assume you have been under the care of a mental help professional? You might want to check to see if s/he has some sort of job placement relationship with a business, or check with your state Dept of Mental Health for assistance. If not, check with temp agencies. You might not get a FT 9-5 job off the bat though as they are in pretty high demand, but you might luck out with a part time position.

 

[fey_spirit]

I wanted to say thank you to everyone here for being so supportive, and helpful. All of this gives me food for thought and much to consider.

 

[design_mom]

If you are pressed for a reason and don't think that the previous suggestion of "stay at home wife" is a good fit for you, I think you could say that you were unable to work due to a "medical issue," but that you believe that the issue is managed to the point that it would not affect your ability to do the job you're applying for.

I would also mention that you were in good standing when you left your previous jobs (your health didn't hinder your performance of the job duties, but you needed to leave so you could focus on your health for a while) -- and it would be great if you were able to get a former co-worker/manager to vouch for you as a reference.