Reentering the work force

[Crafty Amanda]

My situation is a little different that a stay at home mom that is reentering the workforce. I have been a work at home mom for the last 11 years. I have submitted my resume to what seems like hundreds of jobs that I am qualified for, but the only 2 calls I received were from 1) a head hunter and 2) a job that had a 2 hour commute.

I have updated my resume, hopefully written a good cover letter, etc. I have been submitting my resume through job sites and individual company websites, but I wonder if I should be doing it the old fashioned way and hoofing it.

Any suggestions?

[RuthHaag]

I’m sorry that you are having trouble finding a job. I’m sure that you realize this, but let’s acknowledge that the U.S. job market is a bit tight right now. That means that anyone who has a job opening is going to receive A LOT of resumes.

For a tight job market:

1. Make sure that everyone you know, knows that you are looking for a job. Often jobs are found through word-of-mouth.
2. Nothing replaces human contact. Call the companies that have jobs you are interested in, and try to talk with the person who is doing the interviewing.

Another problem is that many employers are wary of mothers re-entering the conventional work force. Employers fear that people are experimenting with working, when they want people dedicated to working.

To establish that you are dedicated:

• Make sure that when you do get to talk to someone you show your dedication to working.
• Be sure NOT to say things like “I thought I’d try it out and see if I liked working again.”
• Volunteer. Every place that I have volunteered at has eventually offered me a job. Volunteer someplace that you like, a few hours a week, do a good job and see what happens.

Employers are also worried that technology may have passed the mothers by, while they were at home.

To establish that you are up-to-date, or to update your skills:

1. Be sure to mention on your resume that you understand and can use computers (if this is true).
2. Try working at a temporary agency. Even if you take a temporary clerk job, you will be working somewhere, and will be able to establish that you are serious about working. While you are working at different assignments, be sure to volunteer to do extra things, that you are capable of doing. I worked for a temporary agency during the summer while in college, and one of the places that I worked for two weeks offered me a full-time summer job the next year.

Good Luck!

Ruth Haag