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I'm terrified my past is a deal breaker for hiring managers
I've recently restarted my job search after many years off from work, to take care of both my kids and myself. Before I quit my last position (which was over 15 years ago), I moved around to many different positions over a short period of time, trying to figure out what I actually wanted to do with my life! While I thought that would help me find purpose in my career, now it just looks like I couldn't stay in one position. I'm worried my past flightiness and my large work gap is preventing me from getting hired.
Has anyone else gone back to work after a long period of time and not too much experience? I'd love any advice on how to get back out there and how to frame my past in a way that helps me get hired!
Anonymous
09/14/20 at 7:38PM UTC
I have been trying to get back to work after 3 years away helping to take care of a sick parent. After 1.5 years of unsuccessful interviews and asking if any constructive criticism could be offered an employer finally responded to my post rejection questions. I wasn't hired because I wasn't currently employed and that concerned them. So one of the reasons I haven't been getting jobs is because I don't have a job apparently. I was told to find employment to make myself more appealing for employment.
Lynne Cogan
Career Coach for Realizing Professional Dreams
858
09/11/20 at 4PM UTC
A couple of good ways to get back in the job market are by temping and volunteering.
Obviously, with volunteering you won't make any money, but you can pick up skills and network, while being of service.
Temping is an excellent way to get your foot in the door with employers, to learn new skills, and to network.
Either of these could also help you find a mentor and sponsor. A sponsor is someone who advocates and networks for you. It is someone who can introduce you to others whom you can help and who can help you.
Nancy BuffumConsultant, educator, nonprofits & public
60
09/11/20 at 3:41PM UTC
Look for something short term: a contract project, an interim position, a limited duration position. Spin your brief tenure in the past as a "problem solver". Some organizations are looking for someone just like you. Work with a coach to develop a description of your personal assets so you search with a positive mindset and a good description of your self. Sign up for a certification course and put it on your resume '(in progress)'
AJonesSenior Analyst, Athlete & Healthy Food Blogger!
86
09/11/20 at 3:16PM UTC (Edited)
The one saving grace in our time is that tenure at a job is more rare than it once was. There are fewer people to stay at a job for over 15 years or more. Even now... I'm like WOOOOW when I see a work anniversary that is 15 or more years. Crazy impressive. I was in a role for 10 years but decided to leave to grow. I have had several roles after that were 3 years or less. However, I had a small gap due to company downsize, and at the other roles gained some marketable skills in each. You may need to get some current certifications since a lot may have changed, but if you are given a chance and can speak to the job gaps, and still have skills that are marketable you will still have a chance.
Anonymous
09/13/20 at 7:46PM UTC
A letter to accompany the resume is better than waiting for an interview to explain your gap.
Anonymous
09/11/20 at 2:11PM UTC
When I hired a new Executive Assistant this year I searched through over 50 resumes and MOST of them had so many short job experiences I was not impressed. In fact, the woman I hired stood out among the rest, b/c she had lengthy time in each job and had stellar references to accompany her resumes.
I will say I tossed ANY resume that had multiple jobs with less than one year. I will not waste my time.
Anonymous
09/11/20 at 4:08PM UTC
I'm curious to know: if someone put perhaps some kind of reason behind short tenures (i.e. company shutting down?) on their resume, would you have given them the chance? Or would you have just seen short experience and moved on?
I just so happen to have had the ridiculously awful luck of having that happen to me twice (back-to-back), and then I was laid off because of covid-19. Not my choice to leave these companies and certainly not a reflection of my performance, although I am terrified it will look that way to employers, such as yourself.
Anonymous
09/13/20 at 7:45PM UTC
AGAIN, I will tell you that the resume that stood out had STELLAR references accompanying her resume'. This explained ANY short term job or any job vacancies time periods. Most resumes lacked explanations and so they ended up in my shredder. No time to research, I have a business to run.
Anne Zacharias
11
09/11/20 at 12:42PM UTC
iRelaunch is a company that can provide you lots of information and support. They work with companies to help them set up return to work programs that hire people with a career gap (over 100 now!). And have over 83,000 people just like you who want to go back to work after a career break. Check it out at irelaunch.com. There is no charge to join. They also have a return to work conference--a crash course in how to return to work with corp. sponsors wanting to hire people with a career gap. You are not alone!
Lady PeleRetired Project Manager
3.96k
09/09/20 at 6:19PM UTC
Samantha Lane suggested a great article. Another would be: https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/11-tips-a-mothers-guide-to-getting-back-into-the-workforce.
In addition, there are companies that offer "returner" programs. Deloitte is just one example of an organisation who offers this. Their return to work program lasts for 20 weeks and is aimed at men and women who have taken a career break.
JP Morgan is another business offering a similar global program they call their "ReEntry Program" which provides networking and mentorship opportunities to senior executives who are looking to re-join corporate life after taking a career break.
Good luck!
Samantha LaneDirector, Sales and Marketing
18
09/09/20 at 2:47PM UTC
In my experience speaking with prospective employees during a hiring process, so much more of what I'm interested in is learning about the individual and seeing how they as a person would fit within our company. There are probably a few ways to artfully set up your resume so that it reads as gracefully as possible (you also don't need to include EVERY previous position that you worked), but using a cover letter and/or objectives statement may be a good opportunity for you to offer more information about you as an individual and prospective employee. This is a great article on FGB to look into about tailoring your resume: https://fairygodboss.com/career-topics/job-objective
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