I have been out of work since 2006 due to raising a family.

11 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 20,2024 at 3:20AM UTC

   same. I have a degree in communications and have been trying to find work for a year now. I live near New York City and can goto an office daily. I have done many things in the meantime to keep my skills. still not one reply. I am certain I can be a dynamic and dedicated employee.

2. AnonymousNovember 22,2024 at 5:46AM UTC

   Perhaps find a company that has a communications opening and then go in performing another role, if you are not having a good experience in your area of expertise. Once in the company, often you can then advance to the opportunity you would like. That would also give you some contacts who may assist you in getting a position as an internal hire. Sometimes this works. At the very least, it would put you in contact with some people in your area.

   Another way, as you probably know, to keep your skills up would be to use them in a volunteer capacity, which, again, may bring you some good contacts to get the opportunity you are looking for.

   Last, but not least, I found success in posting my resume on the usual job boards, and you can also try specialty ones. The results may not be overly quick (I got three interviews after about three months), but recruiters do often go out to the posted resumes to fill their reqs.

   Do be sure to take some of your achievements and state how they would help a company - i.e. revenue raised, cost reduced, customers obtained, market awareness generated, etc. and put some numbers to them. Preferably, start your achievement statement with numbers. For a better explanation of how to do this, see some of Andy LaCivita's free videos.

3. Bargee JainNovember 20,2024 at 4:25AM UTC

   Presently searching Job WFH on priority basis

4. AnonymousNovember 22,2024 at 5:34AM UTC

   Depending upon your area of expertise and experience, WFH may be a stretch. You could perhaps look for work as a virtual assistant if that would fit. Also data entry.. What I am doing is looking locally into opportunities that contain the possibility of WFH once the job becomes more routine (i.e. after training, onboarding). Looking at some job descriptions on job boards may give you some more ideas as to what type of job to pursue. Wishing you the best.

5. Jessica PetersNovember 20,2024 at 4:57AM UTC

   I am in the same boat. Haven't had a lot of success.

6. AnonymousNovember 22,2024 at 5:48AM UTC

   For some ideas, see a couple of the replies to earlier entries in this posting. Hope one or two work for you!

   Wishing you much success!

7. AnonymousNovember 20,2024 at 2:07PM UTC

   There are all kinds of training and skills upgrade courses

   on easily affordable online training programs including Coursera. YOu might consider a certification in something that might reposition you.

   Find opportunities to do some strategic volunteering so that you have something current on your resume that builds your skills set. Join industry groups online through LinkedIn.

   REsearch through LI and ChatGPT trends and concerns in your target industry or job title. And then post comments on your LInkedIn feed. Having a focus on 2-3 possible postitions that might be a good fit for you is paramount. Avoid " I am open to anything": It feels counterintuitive but that kind of stance demonstrates desperation or even lack of an informed professional focus. Got to play the game .

8. AnonymousNovember 20,2024 at 3:28PM UTC

   Depending on your finances, there are a variety of online courses available to learn valuable skills. Search for Coursera (perhaps an annual subscription will allow you to learn as much as you can). If on a budget, check out FREE options or via other subscriptions you may have. (Fair warning some "free" courses actually are free once you subscribe to a larger selection of content. See if our local library has accounts (many do). Depending on where you live, there are groups in various towns (women in business, networking women, mothers starting their own businesses, etc.)- You can either connect with them and/or learn from them. If anyone in your family has accounts (library, where they work, etc.) --or ask for a holiday/birthday present to have a subscription to Coursera or Udemy, etc. Some employers provide tuition reimbursement or have subscriptions to online learning (or digital badges from various colleges).

   Creating a resume is one thing. Creating a resume and leveraging transferrable skills from mother hood gets you in the game. There are ways to write it on your resume. If you have a budget for it, find one of those online resume writing sites where you work with a live person. Have them help you draft something (to get you in the game).

   Work your networks say what you're looking for. Some folks will hire you because of knowing you.

   Good luck!

9. AnonymousNovember 20,2024 at 8:49PM UTC

   I would try to get a job in the local library, or maybe within the state system. Or find a part-time job at a local bakery, or gift store. Something that gets you out with others and allows you to network too. My sister was out of work raising children and she works for a bakery. She also now has people in her circle that hire her to do interior decorating. Look at law firms, or places that may want an admin assistant or receptionist. If you are a mom, you have tons of skills. Add a skill section to your resume. You are detail oriented, an active listener, scheduler, etc. Think of all that you have done to run your household, those right there are great skills and though we can't necessarily add domestic goddess to a resume, you are! Start small, ask friends if they know of jobs, then get yourself back in the game. Once you're in, and you start to rebuild some skills, you will find bigger and better opportunities. Good luck to you!

10. AnonymousNovember 21,2024 at 12:59PM UTC

    I would complete some current certifications to bring uour skills current and then take some temporary work through an agency or part time work to bring your resume up to date.

    You will most likely not find this work as remote.

11. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistNovember 22,2024 at 1:51AM UTC

    Try looking for companies that offer returnships.