Ok, I am trying to make my way back into the workforce after being home for 2 years with my son. I never thought I could afford to be home this long and the only reason I am going back is because the housing market is so bad we can't sell and dowsize the way we would like. I have 15 years of sales experience and several years of management experience in sales and advertising. I keep running into brick walls. Several recruiters I have spoken with said that employers look DOWN on mothers who have taken time off of their careers to be home with their kids. At first, I didn't believe them, but I am having trouble getting interviews. When I left my job, I was the #1 rep in my sales department at the republic and had recently been promoted to Sales Manager. Can anyone give me any advice on how you were able to make it back into the work force without having to start over at the bottom? I feel that my experience and proven track record should allow me to enter gracefully without having to sacrifice half of my previous earnings and responsibilities........
I absolutely agree that you
I absolutely agree that you should be able to return to the workforce without having to start over at the bottom. Unfortunately, all of the moms that I know have had to do just that when they have taken a year or more off of work. I think that with the economy being the way that it is now, you may have to start a little closer to the bottom but that you should be able to progress back up the ladder at a quicker pace than someone without your experience.
I think that potential
I think that potential employers look at any big gap on your resume that way, whether is is because you took time off to be a SAHM or for other reasons, right? I don't know from personal experience becuase I haven't been out of work since I was 17, but that's what I have always heard. My husband has been out of work here and there quite a few times since we married and he gets a lot of interview scrutiny over the periods when he wasn't working.
The potential employers might wonder if you'll leave again if the economic situation changes and you don't have to work anymore, so you probably will have to start smaller just to get your foot back in the door, and then work your way back up.
Let your former customers
Let your former customers know that you're looking. For about 15 years (off and on, depending on health), I've been working with a single telecom product -- so it's not like I can go to Career Builder when I'm ready to go back to work.
Just recently, I "bumped" (online) into a customer I knew about 12 years ago. He's brought me on as a partner/contractor, and I work from home and/or on the road. The best part is that I don't have to work full-time; if I need a break to stay healthy, I can hire a subcontractor to fill in.
I'm sharing this because I hope you don't want to work for an organization that frowns on you having stayed home with the baby. I hope you can find a gig like mine, so that, if you need some family time, you don't have to use FMLA.
I agree with the first
I agree with the first poster that you shouldn't have to "start over'' but that's still the reality for Moms who decide to take time off.
I would really take a look at your resume - use any experience you've had during the break and emphasize it. School fundraising project, neighborhood volunteer work, city task force member, etc....Look for anything that would show new responsibilities or skill sets during the time off.
Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 6 and 2.
I just wanted to let you
I just wanted to let you know that I'm having a hard time getting back into the work force after staying home with my children for 8 years. Even though I owned a business and still assist with it part-time, I'm having a hard time getting the interviews. Business Degree, master's degree, entrepreneur...doesn't seem to be getting me in the front door either. Don't know if it's me or the economy. Anyhow, I'm relieved to know someone else is struggling. The ironic thing is that moms are incredibly qualified managers and organizers and have a great sense of responsibility. Darn it.
It's the economy. I'm
It's the economy. I'm fortunate that my skill set and the work I do means that a guy in Pittsburgh can offer me a contract and I can go back to work. I don't know what I'd do if I had to take a job here, but I'm pretty sure it would involve working a heckuva lot more hours for a heckuva lot less pay.
That being said, and this is good for anyone, I'm a pretty good resume rebuilder, and I'm more than happy to help. My fee is lunch after your second paycheck. Trust me, if I can get myself back into the stream after psychiatric breakdowns, getting y'all back in is a piece of cake.
I can tell you that I was
I can tell you that I was exactly where you are 4 months ago! I decided to go back to work for a lot of reasons, economics and personal, and I started searching nationwide, not just Phoenix. I cast a very wide net and I got a very low response of phone interviews and only two in person interviews, one of which resulted in an offer, which is the job I have now with arizonamoms.com. My advice would be, first, don't take it too personally. Especially in the sales/marketing arena, which is also the area I was searching, I think it is extremely saturated right now and companies are being conservative. Second, go to your friends and resources. You never know who might be able to help you get "in" somewhere.
As far as companies being down on moms returning to the workforce, I was really fortunate to find a position that wanted a mom. Personally, I don't think two years "out" is that long, you haven't missed *that* much, but the economy has declined a lot in that two years. It is taking qualified people longer to find the right job, there are fewer jobs, and there are more people looking.
Arizona Woman magazine ran this story about the top places in AZ to work for women. Maybe you will find some ideas here: http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2008/02/15/20080215biz-azw-be...
Good luck in your search and keep us posted!
Susan & Neil Hampton have three spectacular children, Alexander, Isabel and David, plus one amazing teenager, Eric. Susan does community outreach for arizonamoms.com.
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” - Margaret Atwood
Thank you all for your
Thank you all for your constructive comments! I really appreciate the support.
Hi Jacksmommy, I haven't had
Hi Jacksmommy,
I haven't had to face this challenge. In fact, I'm working the opposite direction - - trying to transition into WAHM status before my husband and I welcome our first child. In that vein, I've just launched a new company with my cousin, Neighborhood Welcome, and we are seeking independent contractors to recruit new sponsors and welcome new homeowners in our target markets. The job is flexible, fun and rewarding. We could really use a great salesperson on our team! If you are looking for something part time while you work your way back into the corporate world and would like to talk more about it, please let me know! Check out the details to see if it might be a fit for you at www.neighborhoodwelcomeaz.com/careers.
See? I said so. Didn't I
See? I said so. Didn't I say so? I did. I said so.
I've got 3 kids and am
I've got 3 kids and am blessed to be able to work from home. I'm a marketing executive from my own home! My kids are here with me and usually in the same room when I'm working. I'd love to share my company with you! Check out my website - it's a real LEGITIMATE work at home company!
http://www.team2succeed.com/tammieb137