Career Advice been out of work 10years!

Question

I have been a stay at home mom for the last 10 years. The current economic climate is requiring me to go back to work. I am told I have great references and do well on skill tests. My one pitfall is that most employers consider 10years to be too long to be out of the workforce. I am always told that I am being overlooked for someone with more recent experience. I have stressed the volunteer work with church and my children's' school. It is not as if I have been watching soaps for 10 years. Does anyone have any ideas for overcoming this obstacle?

Answer 1

I would think that depending on what kind of job you are applying for, there may be concerns about the technology you would have to be familiar with. Make sure you emphasize any use of technology that you used in your volunteer work, for example maintaining databases for mailings, etc. assuming you really know how to do these things. Think of ways to

"re-frame" the things you've done in the last 10 years (raising your children and your church work) into skills an employer might be looking for. If you have been managing multiple schedules with your kids and creating events for your church you are organized, creative, good at managing people, excellent with details, etc. Good luck!

Answer 2

Regarding immediate employment, contact some of the people you worked with in the church and school and tell them what kind of job you are looking for.  "Who you know" gets you in the door.

This second  suggestion doesn't get you back into the workforce immediately, but it is a good way to get back in:  Go back to college and get some sort of degree or certification.  Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to do this in a year.  At the point that you finish a degree/certification program, employers put you in a different stack -- "college" hires.  That stack gets a lot of attention.

Answer 3

It's a real problem.  I would try getting a job through one of your references.  Networking is typically the best way to get a job.

Answer 4

It's a problem a lot of people are facing these days, but some are considering the thought of a legitimate home business that allows you to network with your friends.  Something that will allow you to continue with your volunteer work if you like, but will still over a period of time allow you to gain financially!     http://ljparkerjr.acnrep.com