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Katherine Brengle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-17-07 12:53 PM
Original message
Going back to work?
I'm feeling a little lost. I haven't had a "job" in about 4 years as I've been home taking care of my daughter, but I am losing it and need to get out of the house. Thing is - I have no idea how to do it.

When I was working, I was younger, still in college, and not particularly picky about my work - I worked at a drugstore, a restaurant, shoe store, summer maintenance crew at my university (for free room and board for the summer) and as an English tutor...

I'm not sure how to get out there and get taken seriously... I haven't graduated yet so that makes things a bit rougher in the qualifications department...

Anyway, I know this isn't precisely on topic for this board, but since it's about feeling adrift in mommy-ville and not being too happy about it at the moment, I figured some of you might be of some assistance.

Any advice?
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ismnotwasm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-17-07 02:22 PM
Response to Original message
1. Resume
I found I'm good at 'em. I don't exactly lie, but on paper I look better than I thought I was. I cleaned houses for a living for a bit, cared for my kids, that filled gaps. (Long gaps) Anyway, I think it's a great topic for this board.

What I think, since the resume thing is pretty obvious, is don't sell yourself short. It's tough for women returning to the work force out there, but you don't have to kill yourself to have a job. That being said, All the what-to-wear-at-an-interview stuff, you already know. I guess the first thing is, what do you want to do, and how many hours a week can you do it? All the child care stuff OK? (because we know how tough that is) Commute? School activities? (The child's about ready for kindergarten, right?)Narrow it down by considering what's convenient for you and your child. Wages. What's good enough? Work environment, what matters to you? I'm a nurse, and my sister works in a "Non-traditional women's" job. The good news is there are supportive women in both these environments. (I know little or nothing about the business world, or the social climbing that's so important in some work atmospheres.)

That's where I would start anyway. I don't know your skill set, but I would paint a picture of the best job I could have in my circumstances, and go from there.
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Katherine Brengle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-17-07 02:50 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. Great advice, thank you --
my daughter is 3 - old enough that I feel okay about sending her to a good daycare/preschool during the week (one of my main worries when she was a baby was that if something was wrong she wouldn't be able to communicate with me about it).

Obviously I need to make enough money to offset childcare costs AND make a profit, so that's a huge concern.

Definitely a lot of things to consider - it's not an emergency financially speaking (and we have a long vacation coming up in September so I couldn't start anything until after that anyway) so I have a little time to get organized :D.
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ThomCat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-17-07 04:05 PM
Response to Original message
3. I highly recommend getting together some professional references.
It doesn't matter how old they are, or whether they know you from paid work or volunteer work. Having references prepared makes a HUGE difference, but only if you offer to provide them.

People who have their references ready come across as much more professional and prepared. That can often get you an offer ahead of someone with a better resume who comes across as less organized, prepared or professional.

Also, don't sell any industry or profession short. Almost everyone comes into an industry knowing very little about it and learns from the inside. Don't write off places where you have no experience.

And, make sure your friends and family in the area all know that you're looking for work. You might be surprised who they know who might have a good position available. Networking never hurts.

:hug:
Do well!
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Katherine Brengle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-18-07 08:21 AM
Response to Reply #3
6. Thank you - excellent advice. nt
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iverglas Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jul-20-07 11:39 AM
Response to Reply #6
13. I agree with that one
Edited on Fri Jul-20-07 11:41 AM by iverglas

I've been in a position of writing references for employees, and I've been able to puff them up in ways they couldn't do themselves.

I might recommend waiting until you know what you're applying for, and if you have former employers who do want to help, they can tailor things they say to the job you're after.

For instance, thinking of an assistant I had when I was in practice (a lawyer herself in a previous life and another country), I could stress:

- her people skills (interviewing clients)
- her problem-solving skills (we had some pretty thick clients, and sorting out how to elicit their stories from them was a job in itself)
- her clerical skills (she did the paperwork for clients' applications)
- her work attitude (thorough, conscientious ...)
etc.
-- and one addition on edit: I was also familiar with her volunteer activities in the community (with immigrant women victims of violence, e.g.) and I included that info in my letters -- so an employer who knows you more than just in the employment context can sometimes be useful that way too.

If you do have someone who could and would do that -- it might mean writing a couple of different letters for different situations -- I'd strongly suggest it.

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Scout Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-17-07 08:09 PM
Response to Original message
4. try several temp agencies
i was out of the work force for about 3 years, and after several different temp assignments found a great job at a community college ... they were looking for someone who wanted "temp to permanent" work.

some temp assignments suck, but it can work out well in the long run.
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Katherine Brengle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-18-07 08:21 AM
Response to Reply #4
5. Thanks -
I was considering just that :D. My DH got a great job once after temping for a few months.
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CrispyQ Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-18-07 09:50 AM
Response to Reply #4
7. The first time I used a temp agency to help find a permanent job,
I landed a great job. It was worth the 12 weeks at lower pay to check the company out. Also, in that time they came to like me, so when it came time to negotiate pay, I asked for $5k more than I would have 12 weeks before. I should have asked for more -- they didn't bat an eye. ;)

To the OP, you might also consider non-profit. The pay isn't as good, but sometimes the hours are more flexible. Also, your local library will have a ton of books on resumes, cover letters & interviewing skills. Interviewing is especially trying for most people. You get asked some of the most unusual questions in interviews. I can remember two jobs I lost based on the answer to a single question. The books can help you prepare for some of these. Also, I'm sure there are books specific to your situation of re-entering the work force.

Good luck! :thumbsup:
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Katherine Brengle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jul-19-07 08:30 AM
Response to Reply #7
8. Thank you!
Great advice, once again. I've done the resume and interview thing, it's just been awhile so I'm sure a refresher would help.
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Katherine Brengle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jul-19-07 08:35 AM
Response to Original message
9. UPDATE
So, my SIL is some sort of manager for JoAnn Stores (the fabric stores) and she's going to hook me up with a job for awhile. During this time, I am definitely going to implement all of your suggestions so I can find something better.

Good news is, with her help I should be able to land a reasonably flexible schedule and I'm crafty so the discount will be nice :D.

Not my dream job of course, but it will get me out the house and I'll have some sort of recent outside the home work experience when I apply for another job :D. And I can work evenings after my hubby gets out of work so we can make the extra money for awhile without paying for daycare (for now) - which is going to cost about $180/WEEK for M-F. I'll need to land something that pays better before we can take on that kind of childcare bill.

Thank you all again, and any other suggestions are still welcome.
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ThomCat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jul-19-07 09:55 AM
Response to Reply #9
10. Good news!
I'm glad it's working out. I hope this really does end up being temporary and you find something that's better for you.
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Katherine Brengle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jul-19-07 10:08 AM
Response to Reply #10
11. Thanks - same here.
I'm pretty tenacious in general so I think it will work out.
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MountainLaurel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jul-19-07 09:06 PM
Response to Reply #9
12. Congratulations!
:applause:
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