How do employers view stay at home moms trying to get back into the workforce who have long career gaps?

19 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 19,2024 at 2:06PM UTC

   This is unfortunate, but keep persevering. You may need to go down a level or two and get additional training in your relevant career field. It will be more challenging, but doable.

2. AnonymousMay 19,2024 at 2:31PM UTC

   My suggestion is to engage in coursework (ie uDemy) and earn some certifications so that employers can note updates since your decision to return to work

   I have NO idea what your experience or desires are so can't provide further help

   In the meantime, reach out to staffing agencies to get your foot in the door. Your experience + their commission = win

3. AnonymousMay 21,2024 at 1:13PM UTC

   I agree with the 1st part of your comment, but as for staffing agencies and recruiters, I'd say keep expectations in check. Hate to be cynical, but ghosting and playing hot and cold with jobseekers seems to be the current SOP in this employers' market.

4. susanne stevensMay 19,2024 at 4:01PM UTC

   I had to take some terribly low paying jobs at first. I also did a lot of job hopping the first couple years, but every job was a little bit better pay. Then I did have very good luck with a temp agency. They placed me with my current company, and although I was an underpaid temp for a full year, I was able to prove myself and was eventually hired permanently at a different role at the same company.

   It was tough and frustrating, but when I look at my kids, I realize that I raised some pretty awesome humans so it was worth it.

5. AnonymousMay 19,2024 at 4:42PM UTC

   Thanks for this. I sort of needed to hear this.

6. AnonymousMay 19,2024 at 4:35PM UTC

   I don't think you're not hirable! If I saw a resume with a gap like that, I would still consider you if your skills and experience matched the open role. I also agree with the other posters re: education and temping. At a minimum, that can help in screening interviews to display your current commitment. Good luck!

7. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMay 19,2024 at 6:07PM UTC

   Look for companies that offer returnships.

8. AnonymousMay 19,2024 at 11:32PM UTC

   My experience was similar - a few years of low-level jobs to build my resume.
   But once I got past that, I was promoted pretty quickly because I was more mature and had a wider skillset than the younger people who technically had the same amount of time in the workforce. My years of volunteer work didn't count for anything according to HR, but they did impact my approach to problems and my ability to do my job in practice.

9. Alice NjokiMay 20,2024 at 11:28AM UTC

   Since you have been a mum for 10 years with enough experience then you can open a children's home.

10. Cassie SpencerMay 20,2024 at 12:20PM UTC

    There is some good advice in the comments regarding looking into courses and certifications and looking into companies that offer returnships. In addition to that, I would also suggest looking into other ways to add more recent and current experience to your resume. Volunteering and freelancing can be a great way to do this.

    In addition to sending out resumes I would also suggest starting to add in some networking to benefit your overall job search.

11. AnonymousMay 20,2024 at 1:26PM UTC

    Your re-entry into the workplace may feel different as you may be trying to walk back into a role that you were at. Can't tell from your snapshot. I can guarantee you that role is no longer the same. Have you kept up the knowledge, contacts, or do you need to realize you need to start at an entry level to get back into the role. A gap isn't a concern but it normally starts from the expectations of the person returning to the office on what they will accept, thinking it should be a higher role or pay. You will need to recognize that. Ease back into it, set yourself up for success and growth in today's workplace environments. It's not the same.

12. AnonymousMay 22,2024 at 12:29PM UTC

    I too am in the same position as the OP. I understand the sentiment about not starting out with a crazy high salary. However, I left the workforce pre-ACA. My employer at that time was under no legal obligation to provide or partial fund a health insurance option. I was only making about $52K annual as an analysts for a regulated industry and still had high OOP expenses for health insurance/care. Is it more reasonable to expect most professionals can expect salary and benefits that account for inflation and other COL in the last 15+ years? I can image this position had evolved that much but would the pay stay the same?

13. AnonymousMay 20,2024 at 2:31PM UTC

    You might want to try networking or working with a legit career coach. It's not impossible (while acknowledging that today's job market is challenging). I don't have a lot of examples to share as most companies I've worked for have been 500 or less employees. But I do recall one specific example of someone having been a SAHM for at least 10 years. We hired her...into a manager role in accounting. She thrived and to the best of my knowledge she is still there. I can also tell you she did not apply to the company blindly, but through networking.

14. Dr. Erica WallsMay 20,2024 at 8:28PM UTC

    Sorry to hear this. Have you reached out to your network, and let them know what you desire? Someone may know someone who is seeking what you're great at.

15. Sidney BristowMay 21,2024 at 1:42AM UTC

    I'd like to encourage you as you reenter the job market. Take a breath and believe in yourself. I made a successful reentry after being a SAHM for 17 years (with some PT work during that time), and so can you.

    If clothing, feeding, and educating a family from just 1 income isn't good bookkeeping and fiscal responsibility, I don't know what is. If juggling kids' sports events and field trips and doctor appointments isn't time management and logistics, then what is?

    You can see my point. We mothers hone MANY skills in raising a family. Soon you will find an employer who values your skills as they should. It may take awhile, as it did for me, to be paid well but You Will Get There. All the best to you.

16. Lisa CunninghamMay 21,2024 at 11:04PM UTC

    I too have a gap (9 years) and am currently “stuck” as to how I should go about doing my resume. Do I just start my experience off from my last job 9 years ago or should I creatively add my SAHM skills that I acquired as though it were a job? Also, how does one include their relevant past experience since it could potentially go back yet another 9-10 years? What is the proper etiquette?

17. Stephanie Branch LekowskiMay 21,2024 at 1:04PM UTC

    You can check LI for IRelaunch. They assist people looking to return to work who have been away for at least a year.

18. AnonymousMay 21,2024 at 1:14PM UTC

    For some great resources and community try iRelaunch and Apres - they have conferences, webinars, support and opportunities and helped me immensely, especially with confidence on returning.
    The Mom Project also posts jobs, though I’m not as familiar.
    I also volunteered strategically through Taproot+ ; Catchafire also offers opportunities- building confidence + skills while you figure it out is a good first step! I also pursued some certificates in areas I was interested in to get the wheels turning.
    Take a little time to sharpen your skills again and give yourself some grace as you figure it out. Also remember it’s a journey and your priorities /interests may have shifted since you last worked - and, networking is KEY. You will be asked for references so be sure you have rekindled those relationships, even with a phonecall.
    Good luck!

19. AnonymousMay 22,2024 at 3:21PM UTC

    What can you show to let employers know that you have kept your skills up while raising your family? Have you tried temp work? Can you perhaps volunteer for 6 months to get some work under your belt while looking? Do things that will add to your open gap and additionally don't just apply and expect to get noticed. Even the most seasoned non-gap folks are struggling to find work now. Write a blog? Do things that put work in the space that you are concerned you will have to explain away. What companies think of that matters not, it's really about do you have skills to fill a role that they are hiring for and can you come in and get the job done. Good luck and give it time.