Going back to work...

[kiki02]

OUt of office - work force for 6 years now (Sales-Customer Service and Administrative background). How do I get skills back up to be hirable? Getting so discouraged as I get no replies to resumes I'm sending.

Any advice? thanks all.

 

[crisi]

What sort of work do you do. The path to get back into Accounting would be different than the path to get into Project Management.

 

[clh2]

Be sure to match "keywords" from the job description to what you have on your resume.

And - be sure to mention if you have done any volunteer activities over the years that might indicate organizational or other work-related skills.

Do you have a linked-in profile? If not - get one started, and connect to everyone you know.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Getting skills up-to-speed is probably not going to be an issue.
2) Things for an office environment have not changed all that much - excel, word, etc
3) What you MUST overcome is the absence of work experience for current years.
. . . this is a BIGGIE issue.
. . . child-raising employment gaps are good reasons (as an example)
. . . but, it WILL NOT what gets folks to read and reply to the resume.
. . . in many, many cases, the resume is screened by an automatic program that tosses empty years.
4) When doing the resume, DO NOT put the year-dates for employment, but use year-durations.
. . . don't use: "Feb-2001 to August-2005"
. . . use full years: "4-years"
5) IF you get a callback, THEN you can give dates and you can say why you haven't worked lately.


NOTE: When writing the resume, DO NOT use overworked words such as "team player", "track record of success",
"cross functional teamwork", "Strong communication skills", etc. Most software, and many people discard paperwork
with such phrases. Give EXACT details of successes. When I saw such wording, I didn't even read further. I thought
the candidate either did not have provable success or was just trying to throw buzzwords.

 

[clh2]

1) Getting skills up-to-speed is probably not going to be an issue.
2) Things for an office environment have not changed all that much - excel, word, etc
I]

I disagree with this - if you've been out for a number of years - the switch from many offices to the 2010 versions is a little bit different - and if you need to take a "proficiency test" of any sort - you'll want to familiarize yourself with the newer versions of Excel and Word. Again - if that isn't relevant to the work you used to do, then disregard!

 

[MomToOne]

What sort of work do you do. The path to get back into Accounting would be different than the path to get into Project Management.

This. The area makes a huge difference - if it's IT, 6 years is an eternity. If it's Accounting, maybe not so much (although even then things like SAP updates can change the landscape significantly). If you let us know more, we can give better insights.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If its clerical skills look at taking refresher courses at a JVS or local college. Our JVS offers one day classes to refresh Work, Excel, and Access skills. Usually the classes cost $75. They range from beginner, intermediate, professional.

 

[Luv WDisneyW]

I'm in the same boat! I was an executive secretary and then decided to take 6 1/2 years off. When my DH and I decided it was time for me to go back, I seemed to hit dead ends. One thing I did find out is that some of the managers out there have similar situations and understand you taking off to raise your children. Someone mentioned before that a lot has changed, I was worried my skills were not what they were also. I have noticed that yes, things have changed, but I don't believe it would take long to get back in the groove. I start my new job this next Monday, looking forward to new and improved skills and experience! My advice is don't be down on yourself, take a class if that would make you feel better, and just know it may take a little time.

 

[havaneselover]

I went back full time in 2011, after 8 years off raising children. The economy was still bad at that point. I had gotten a part-time job a few months earlier (I have a BA in Econ with a minor in Math from a public Ivy) as an office manager for an accounting firm. That job wasn't my cup of tea (I need to focus on one thing, not 10 and the owner was a high stress micro-manager who made me anxious). Right after I took that job I realized I needed a full time job with benefits as my now ex-husband left and his business unraveled. Even though I didn't like that job, I learned how to use two monitors and refreshed my Excel skills so it probably helped me land my current job (I had to take several tests during my interview so being able to use two monitors and knowing my way around excel was critical). I got my current job by sending an email with my resume to a company which I thought I'd be an asset to. Needle in a haystack job. Sometimes the job drives me nuts, but it's providing for me and my children, I have insurance and am contributing to a retirement account, etc. Also, when I was hired, because I'd been home for so long, the offer was low but I was promised a 10% raise after 3 months which I received in the first month. I'm up about 30% since 2011. But still below what I made in 2003.

So I guess my advice would be don't get discouraged, lots of us have been there, and remember that one opportunity may lead to something better. Think long term. You have to build your ant farm one grain of sand at a time.

 

[DisneyElite4]

I don't have any advice, just wanted to wish you luck! My DH and I made the decision a couple of months ago for me to be a SAHM, and we stocked up my paycheck for awhile before I gave my notice (last week). This definitely worries me for whenever I do return to work, however, I was fortunate to find a part-time position in my field that allows me to keep a professional title and my skills fresh/current, with most of the work being done from home.

 

[MichiganKris]

I would suggest going through contract agencies. Many companies don't hire direct to start, but have employees start as a contract worker, and if it's a good fit, they will hire them direct in 6 months or a year.

 

[kiki02]

I would suggest going through contract agencies. Many companies don't hire direct to start, but have employees start as a contract worker, and if it's a good fit, they will hire them direct in 6 months or a year.

Customer Service, Sales and Administrative background before the kids came. I'd like to start back into administrative, but feel SO out of the loop. But TBH, I'd take any office work and be very happy with that. Thanks all. LOVE THE BOARD. such great advice.

 

[Miss SD]

I don't have any advice, just wanted to wish you luck! My DH and I made the decision a couple of months ago for me to be a SAHM, and we stocked up my paycheck for awhile before I gave my notice (last week). This definitely worries me for whenever I do return to work, however, I was fortunate to find a part-time position in my field that allows me to keep a professional title and my skills fresh/current, with most of the work being done from home.

That's a great strategy! Good for you!

I worked as a freelancer for my former employer for 13 years. Unfortunately, the company outsourced most of our work by the end of 2013. Because of my continual experience with my former employer (a Fortune 500 co.), I was able to find a part-time position working for another large company. (I don't want full time until DD is in college--or driving herself around.) The fact that I only worked on and off all those years didn't matter to them.

I guess my point is it helps to keep our foot in the door if we plan on returning to the workforce.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Unfortunately most companies seem to use computers to sift through resumes and search for keywords. You have a great suggestion with changing your resume to not reflect the dates of your previous employment to get past the "computer". I have been unemployed and my best friends husband is as well. We have both discussed at length how the hiring process with companies really takes any personal touch out of it. To be completely honest I would start talking to your friends, family, husbands co-workers etc to let people know you are looking and ask them let you know if they hear of anything. A personal referral typically gets you straight to the interview. For a clerical/admin position you will likely need familiarity with Microsoft Office and possibly some accounting software like quickbooks. Interpersonal communication skills are typically a must. Use these words on your resume to get past the filters. If you don't know office, quickbooks or other programs that companies may want you to use, look into taking a class or asking someone you know to give you a few refresher courses.

 

[SEA333]

OUt of office - work force for 6 years now (Sales-Customer Service and Administrative background). How do I get skills back up to be hirable? Getting so discouraged as I get no replies to resumes I'm sending.

Any advice? thanks all.

A huge marketable skill set for customer service would be SAP knowledge/certification.

Any updated computer software knowledge is a MUST - I have been in my current company for 4 years and have gone through at least 3-4 upgrades. Again, anything in account management/customer service should have a minimum of strong excel/word/powerpoint/outlook proficiency.

Do not silo yourself. If you have a degree in Psychology and a minor in business, but the company is only asking for BA/BS, just state your school, grad date and leave it at that. Save the explanation of credit breakdown for when you are talking up your experience in the interview. Same goes for specific job skills - relate the job skill to a bigger picture (for instance, I once was a lab manager for an optical retailer. I used my management experience from that job when applying for a corporate position 15 years later, and used examples of having to run the lab efficiently and quickly as time-management skills as well. Even though my current career has absolutely NOTHING to do with making eyeglasses in about an hour, the SKILLS I learned in that job help me to prioritize, work efficiently, collaborate with a team, and lead.

Do not be afraid to use personal experience as a learned skill. During my time as a stay at home mom, I was the fundraising chairperson for the PTA. I learned teamwork, collaboration, project management, conflict management, presentation skills, public speaking, etc - all in a volunteer position!

This takes a LOT of time, but tailor each and every resume you send out to the job you are applying for. Most resumes are first run through a computer program that picks out keyword matches. The less keywords it picks up on, the worse chance you have of getting past the machine. Yuck! I used to print a copy of the job description and skill sets the employer listed on the posting, and tailored my resume to include as many of the keywords as I could.

Keep the resume to one page. Normal bullets. Normal font. No cutesy pictures or mismatched fonts/bolding/underlining. Include your name, phone #, and email address at the top of each one.

I am a VMI Inventory Planner for a major pen/pencil/permanent marker manufacturer and interview/hire for my department. Before this position I was a Senior Account Services Lead and hired my customer service/account service teams. I looked for someone who was smart, easily-adaptable, could go with the flow in our ever-changing daily/weekly/monthly schedules, someone who was positive, independent, a leader, and someone who I could trust to handle millions-dollar accounts without being babysat. (And when I reference "customer", I am talking companies like Walmart, Target, Office Max/Depot, Staples, Amazon, etc. We do not sell direct to consumers)

Some of my interview questions:
You come in at 8am with your list of what needs to be done for the day: A, B, C, D. By 9am, I tell you to forget A,B,C,D and start E,F, and G. However, A has a deadline of noon. What do you do? (looking for an answer of "reprioritize; communicate current workload to see if we can decide together what should be done first; ask for help if needed)

A sales rep calls at month-end with a $200K order that his customer says HAS to ship in two days. We only have 1/2 of the product available and fill rates are very important - we have a 98% goal and this order would only be 50%. We need the sales $$, but since you "own" this account and are responsible for reporting the service levels, you know that a 50% fill rate will look bad for you. What do you do? (looking for answers of: talk to internal people to see what else we can do; communicate issue to manager; ask sales rep if the customer can take backorders; etc - really anything that shows me that the person can think and make logical next steps under pressure)

A customer calls irate because someone shipped to his old address AGAIN. He needed the product for a new store opening and even if we ship today, it will not get there in time. How do you handle that customer? (looking for: Apologize and assure you will personally take care of making sure the address is correct going forward, acknowledge that you know it is too late to get product to him by the opening; but you will write a new order immediately and drop it to the DC to get it shipped overnight to him at a cost we will cover; fully admit that this was our error and we will do whatever we can to make it right - basically I'm looking for an answer that conveys that the candidate is not afraid to make a decision and will take ownership of the ISSUE without blaming another person, department, or external force. I want to know that they realize that taking care of the CUSTOMER is the most important thing and the best way to do this is by owning whatever problem comes along and giving the customer the confidence you will take care of them).

Now, I realize that these may be difficult questions, and I do have to say that we are VERY selective in who we hire. We only want the best of the best, and we want leaders who are not afraid to take a stand, take ownership, and make decisions based on a 50/50 formula of process/procedure and what is best for the customer.

Good luck in your job search! If you want any more tips or have questions, I would be happy to answer since I hire for the field you are interested in!

 

[qv09vvp]

I want to wish you a magical Good LUCK!!!


I feel your pain.. I left an IT job after lots of downsizing & I didn't want to travel. We adjust to me being a staying home Mom but I've volunteered quite a bit. I've been "looking" for almost 2 years. ie, I only look at jobs that are convenient for me. Anyway, long story short I've had several tough interviews that vary between you're overqualified for this job but then you don't have any recent experience.... you can't win. It's quite the downer.

Long story short, I am on my 4th and final interview (Thursday) with a company that I believe is a perfect match. I pray that God will open the right doors for you.

- Vicki

 

[kiki02]

I hope all of you and more read this. Today was so awful, I almost cried due to constant rejection, discouragement and being unemployed for so long. And I NEVER CRY, (well, except sometimes when I hear 'wishes' in or out of the MK-ha) but you all made my day so much better. Your words of enthusiasm and hope means so much to me. I can't thank you enough. HUGS.

what a great group here.

 

[DisneyElite4]

That's a great strategy! Good for you!

I worked as a freelancer for my former employer for 13 years. Unfortunately, the company outsourced most of our work by the end of 2013. Because of my continual experience with my former employer (a Fortune 500 co.), I was able to find a part-time position working for another large company. (I don't want full time until DD is in college--or driving herself around.) The fact that I only worked on and off all those years didn't matter to them.

I guess my point is it helps to keep our foot in the door if we plan on returning to the workforce.

Thanks! I actually did a ton of research on the DIS and saw so many people suggest doing it this way, so that was part of the reasoning behind making this decision and going about it this way. (That and just talking to a lot of others who had made the same career move at some point in their professional lives.) I don't know when I will go back full-time, but I am hopeful that having no gaps on my resume will work in my favor.

And to the OP - I am betting something great will turn up for you soon!

 

[clh2]

I hope all of you and more read this. Today was so awful, I almost cried due to constant rejection, discouragement and being unemployed for so long. And I NEVER CRY, (well, except sometimes when I hear 'wishes' in or out of the MK-ha) but you all made my day so much better. Your words of enthusiasm and hope means so much to me. I can't thank you enough. HUGS.

what a great group here.

I know - this is so tough - but don't let the "down days" get to you. Seriously - it is the loss of those companies to not hire you.

I am also looking for a job - last Thursday - I received an e-mail that I had successfully completed an on-line application at 3:46. At 3:51 I got a 2nd e-mail that after CAREFUL CONSIDERATION - I didn't meet their job qualifications. I did have a single digit response to their response - KWIM???

Hang in there!

 

[kiki02]

If its clerical skills look at taking refresher courses at a JVS or local college. Our JVS offers one day classes to refresh Work, Excel, and Access skills. Usually the classes cost $75. They range from beginner, intermediate, professional.

grrrrrr ^^^ I would love this. I"m in NYC - nothing is $75 and I would kill for a JVS right about now! LOL