Returning to work after raising kids

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I've been out of the full-time job market for about 10 years because I had small children. I did have some job experience during that time--part-time working with teens, managing a city festival, etc., and I stayed very active in my kids' schools by volunteering and being a pta president.

Now that my youngest started kindergarten and my husband retired, I want to work full-time, but I can't even seem to get an interview! I have some faith in the fact that my resume looks as good as it can, but I'm baffled.

Can someone who has returned to work or some H.R. person give me a clue? I really want to work again!

 

[AKLRULZ]

My wife took off 12 years for our kids and just went back to teaching elementary school. She had to take a few classes to get recertified, however.

All you can do is be clear on your resume as to your job skills, performance acheivements. Follow up with your submittals by calling and asking for the hiring manager or H/R manager to see if you can discuss your situation over the phone.

Good luck!

 

[bananiem]

Do you have your volunteer activities listed on your resume as well as the part time job experiences?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I just want to say good luck! I am looking as well after 10 years and did a Target interview and didn't do so well.

So I would say do a little homework for those odd questions they throw at you when you finally get an interview.

Since you have alot of volunteer work with the city and school, start there. I think you have to get your first job and then go from there.

 

[CindyCan]

I was also looking after 11 years off. My resume also looks pretty good, with lots of pre-SAHM experience, plus volunteering while off. I also got NO phone calls for almost a year of looking. I finally registered with a temp agency that specializes in accounting, and 4 days later had a temp job offer...only 10 minutes from my house! Anyway, it's not permanent, but I don't think I want to apply for it. Temping for them has been great: they're nice, but not at ALL flexible on hours, not even by 15 minutes. So, when this assignment is done I'll move on to another one until I find something that fits MY needs.

So my advice is: find a GOOD temp agency. I had tried others, but this one is VERY professional. I spent a whole day there doing testing, which convinced THEM that they could "go to bat" for me. Which they did have to do, specifically because of my time off.

Good luck!!

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I have about 1800 volunteer hours in the past three years, and that information is definitely on my resume.

I thought about going to work for a temp agency because I did do some temping when we had my step-daughter part-time. However, temp agencies tend to get work in secretarial and accounting, and I work do public relations work. I'm not really interested in going back to work as an assistant.

I've always interviewed well, and I've gotten nearly every job I ever applied for. The other problem I'm experiencing is that we moved here from another state.

Any other ideas?

 

[Snowysmom]

I went the temp agency route and ended up with a pemanent part time job but it was in accounting. One thing is to research the company you are applying to and try to tailor your resume and cover letter to their needs in the industry they are in or to their client base. Also, if you get an interview, you can ask company specific queestions.

 

[janette]

It is hard in this area right now, there are service / retail jobs but many professional jobs are harder and often filled with over qualified people.

What are you looking for? Have you tried the school district? They often have administrative or service jobs that have the same schedule as the students. That can be nice for the family schedule. If I'm ever in need of a job that would be a place I'd apply and do that until my girls are finished with school.

 

[golfgal]

I just started a full time job after 14 years as a stay at home mom. I too was having problems getting interviews. I finally applied at a temp agency and had a job in a little over a week. I have been working there for 2 weeks now and trying to decide if I like the job or not which is a BIG plus to the temp to hire side of finding a job. If after my 3 month commitment is up and I don't like the job, I can try something else.

 

[becker1123]

What you're experiencing is fairly common, unfortunately. I read an article in Newsweek a month or so ago about women going back after being at home for awhile and it mentioned some specific companies that were working at attracting women who want to return to the workplace after taking time off. They offered seminars on updating resumes, skills, and networking. I wish I could remember what issue it was, but look through the Newsweek archives online if you get a chance. It was interesting and might have some ideas for you. Good luck.

 

[golfgal]

I should add that the temp agency that I am working with also has a lot of online classes available 50,000 different classes so if you are looking at upgrading your computer skills, for example, you could take classes through them for free once you are accepted by them. I haven't looked at the entire class list so I don't know everything they offer but I am guessing there is a wide variety.

 

[ceiligh1]

I dont know how long you have been looking but it does take a while. I was only out for about a year but it still took some time to start getting those calls. I think it was about 3 months from when I first started to put my resume out there before places had time to review it and call me. I just started a job last week that I applied for back in May. But it was a special position and it depends on what you are looking for and where you want to work.
I have been told that for every call for an interview you have to submit your resume to about 10 places, so just cast a wide net and keep looking dont lose hope.