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I am a college graduate but have been a stay at home parent for 13 years, my kids will all be in school next year and I want to go back to work! Since I lack job experience I returned to college to get a MS with the hope that a fresh degree would make up for a lack of experience. I am reading online that entry level means at least 3 years experience, which is a catch 22 if you can’t get a job because you don’t have a job. How do I get experience without having experience and how do I compensate for my age? Are there any companies out there that will give a sahm wanting to go back to work a chance? One suggestion I see is to gain experience by volunteering, but many volunteer positions also seem to ask for years of experience.

Robyn Wick · Answer

A lot of MS programs provide project work for students to use on their resume and provide career services. Does your college do this? I've seen a lot of people transition that way. Is there a possibility of you taking on an internship? I know that you are looking for full-time work, but this could be a way to gain work experience and get your foot in the door at a company.

Melody Johnson · Answer

Just like everything in life school is a gamble. Right now it seems to be a gamble that I have lost.  I love learning and do not regret my education.   But, the rules have changed social connections  are more important.  By the time you find that out you have already spent a huge amount of time and money on something that does not carry as much weight as it once did.

JOAN WESTON · Answer

This is almost the exact thing that happened with me after graduation.  No experience = no job, but no job = no experience.

After getting my BS in psychology and sociology, I couldn't find work, so after a year of job searching I went to graduate school.  After getting an MS in Human Resource Management and getting only 6 months experience with the school's assistance, I still couldn't find work.

After a year of job searching with a Masters, I accepted the only job I was offered which I could have gotten with the BS degree. After five years, I started at another company with a job that only required a HS diploma with the plan of getting into their HR department.  In less than two years, the company was purchased and went from having a full HR department to 2 people with all other HR positions being filled by the larger company.

I could have saved a lot of money, debt, time, effort and heartache by just going to work after high school then getting degrees paid for by my employers with the promise of sticking around another 3 to 5 years.

It would have been work experience and the degrees at the same time.

Barb Hansen · Answer

If you meet 75% of the job requirements - apply for the job.  (and yes, I know that you have to have the basic requirements, you can't apply for an epidemiology position unless you have a degree in medicine, science or epidemiology as an example)

If a position is asking for 3 years experience and you don't have 3 years in that particular field, but you match on most or all of the other requirements --- apply for the job, with a great cover letter telling them why they should hire you.

You have experience (education, past part-time jobs, real volunteer positions and the volunteer positions that we hold as parents who kids are involved in school and after school activities).

Will you get compensated for your age?  Maybe. Maybe Not. But that's okay. First step, get Job 1 in your field, get experience and then move on to a better paying job (if needed).

Shernette Linton, Esq. · Answer

All those “entry-level” employees with the 3 years experience got their start somewhere, and so can you. Getting experience and your foot in the door by volunteering is an excellent suggestion.

First identify the kind of position you want to target, whether paid or volunteer. How closely do you fit the job requirements? As Barb said, you don't have to check all the boxes--do you meet most?

As a stay-at-home mom you gained valuable experience and skills that are readily transferable to the workplace. You are constantly multi-tasking, handling logistics, using time-management skills, organizing calendars, scheduling appointments, making decisions, working under pressure, advocating, mediating. Your challenge now is to highlight that on your resume so employers see the value as it relates to your target position.

Did you hold leadership positions in the  PTA, coach a team, organize a fund-raiser or plan events? What about community or faith-based organizations--any leadership roles there? (Although—be careful about including faith-based affiliations on your resume.)

Create a summary for the top of your resume that highlights your qualifications and transferable skills and experience as they relate to the job requirements. What else can you add? Speak a second language? Strong presentation skills?

You earned a college degree while juggling the responsibilities of a family—did you ace your grades? Highlight that—it shows focus, determination and discipline. Those attributes are valuable to an employer.

Draft cover letters that highlight why you are a good fit, perhaps with a (very) brief nod as to the reason for your absence/return (strategize carefully here).

Ageism? It exists, but you can strategize around that too, and there are employers who will hire you, regardless. Focus on those.

You had the good fortune to have been able to be at home during your children’s formative years. That is valuable work. Now you are ready to bring that same level of commitment to your target position. Go get ‘em!

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