Returning to work after staying home with kids for 7 yrs?

Question

I have been home with kids for 7 yrs. I have a BA degree and graduate work (2 years). I have applied to about 200 jobs in the last 6 months and no responses! I am worried that maybe my break in the resume are preventing me from getting responses. I used to get lots of job offers back when I was working. My grades were mostly As, I have a lot to contribute, but nothing. I'm not sure what I am doing wrong. I've applied to part-time jobs, FT jobs, really small jobs, etc. I've been volunteering during the last 7 years so I list that too. Ugh! Help if you have any ideas.

Answer 1

Stop applying to jobs, get your food in the door another way. My advice is to find a corporation that is hosting a Habitat for Humanity house (some long term charity thing), go volunteer for a few days, get to know people at that company then network yourself inside. You have a better chance if someone can give you a referral than going in cold turkey. Your need to network, network, NETWORK, hand out your resume at a chamber of commerce meeting. People don't say "no" to your face. They will see you are a nice person and want to help you out.


What is happening is the employers are making assumptions. The assumptions are as follows:
1. Your not keeping up on your skills, and you are now 7 years behind the trends
2. Your volunteer work probably dosen't correlate to what they do, so they have a hard time seeing your recent skills pertaining to their jobs
3. You may be expecting to return to the market at a senior rate. Don't expect to return to the market making the same money. They feel that the training to get you up to speed is going to be quite a bit, and if they have to train someone, why not train someone who is cheaper.

I hope this helps, as I know it's really frustrating to be in your situation, but things will work out.

Answer 2

Sorry to say returning to work after a significant break is not an easy process - as you have found. The best way to rebound is first use your network. you have done some volunteer work and you should work to contact to see - if ther у are paid opportunites with either the organization or through the people who worked with. Use you state or local employment agency - depending on the country you live this could be usef -in the US, State Employment Agencies have a mandate to help people return to the work force and offer counseling as so doe the UK. Review your resume - make sure it highlights your accomplishments as mother and a volunteer - you may want to review some resume and cover letter books found in the local library - lastly and most importantly develop a career plan - though youк immediate need in income - you need to think about family balance and what type of work would be satisfactory then research locla firms or companies that would meet those requirements. Ther are many jobs that never are announced but found by many people who are seeking more than just a job - but a career - good luck and hope you find a career and not just a job

Answer 3

No "sucker you ins" here!

It has been a while for you out of the work force but not out of work with the kids. First, pat yourself on the back for being there for your children. Second, show the confidence you definately have from 7 years of stress management, organization, and multi-tasking skills. You would be the one I would want on my team. Third, getting a job today is all about who you know. Make contacts through Email if the company has a web site or visit the company alot if they don't. Maybe have someone else write up your resume. Sometimes what sounds good to us does not jive with others. Good Luck!

Answer 4

ideally, you should acquire joint or finished custody and flow again to america along with your little ones. i'm particular France is an excellent position to stay, yet there are particular advantages to raising your little ones in the U. S., as i'm particular you be conscious of. If that plan isn't a possibility, then you definitely could, no longer less than, stay in France till your youngest new child reaches his or her teen years. they are of their adolescents. What you do and say today will impact how they imagine, behave, and see you for something of their lives. i did not see my father a lot after age 8 and we do in simple terms not communicate. as a lot as you imagine you would stay targeted on case you moved, you in simple terms doesn't. strong success to you.