My job experience is so old, it is no
longer useful to list. Most of it was in word processing and sales in NYC
from 1965 to 1975. Business has changed drastically since then, as you know,
and I do not have current word processing skills. I do not even want to do
the kind of jobs I did back then. From 1971 to the present I have taken
care of elderly relatives and homeschooled my 3 children. None of my
references are even available now. Some have died; others I can't find anymore.
Do you have any suggestions for breaking back into the working life?
ralphb: There are three things you need to concentrate on: Training, training, and training.
You need to acquire new, useful skills. Find out what adult education classes are offered by your local high school or community college. Find something of interest to you (this is important if you want to stick with it). Find books on the subject and read them on your own. Apply your new skills in any way you can imagine.
andyg: First thing I think you should do is update you word processing skills for the 1990s. If you can not afford this type of training, temporary firms will train you for free if you sign on with them. After mastering that, I suggest you conduct informational interviews to help get you back in the swing of things. Many people will want to help you just because you ask. So don't be afraid.
One final note on your resume: Try doing a functional one which emphasizes your skills while not drawing attention to where or when you acquired them.
I am currently job hunting myself and these tips have been the most useful that I have gotten from the scores of books I 've read on the subject. Good luck and happy hunting.
hcm: Andyg's advice is rather sound; if a temp firm thinks you have a sound-enough basis upon which they can build, then they'll provide training with current technologies. While the programs and their appearance have changed over the years (and, of course, some details have changed, too), the basic ideas have not.
You already know more than you think you do if you're able to use the Web, and e-mail, and effectively participate in these discussions.
What kind of jobs do you want? Do you have the luxury of taking on an unpaid internship or volunteer work? Do you have volunteer work you've done over the years (this builds skill, too ... and demonstrates other kinds of traits that employers are interested in).
elange: You have not described your previous jobs, but you have given many examples of worthwhile skills you have acquired and which could be transformed into paid employment. Begin by listing the things you liked best and did well. Next, scan your major newspapers to see what type of job(s) fit your skills. Then, track how frequently these jobs appear. This will give you some idea of your prospects and competition. Pay attention to formal education requirements so that you can acquire them, if possible. You will also want to consider lifestyle in your choice. Finally, network. The best jobs are not advertised. You may decide that your combination of abilities is so unique that you may seriously consider a business of your own. You may consider various aspects of home healthcare or education as a start.
winners1: Your situation is not unique. Itemize all the skills you have and the experience you have acheived staying home and working as a coach, a teacher, a manager (managing a budget,
household routine chores, maintenance, decorating, organizing yours and other
memebers schedules); a worker bee acheiving all your deadlines (having meals ready on time,
clean clothes available to everyone when needed); and a coordinator of entertainment schedules and hospitality skills. You also have excellent interpersonal skills from dealing with so many different needs and personalities.
If your preference is to be involved with people, there are options available to you. There are many retired people today who must have a monthly residual income to stay aloat -- especially those who are unfortunate enough to experience medium to long-term illness requiring expensive drugs. I have found an excellent business with which to work from home on a part-time basis (since I will retire in 1-1/2 years). You can take training, hone your computer skills and what will you get for it? For how long? Is it professional development and a long career you want OR a comfortable income? If it is income, I can direct you to the right place and company. If it is professional development and long term career aspirations,
get your upgraded training and courses and GO FOR IT!
Nicole_S: If you can afford to, buy a computer get Word 6, Excel, Access, Powerpoint and just play around with them. You pick up a lot intuitively after a while, and then you can put your new experience down as "Computer Skills" on your resume.
Colfax: Temporary Services are the quickest way to amass a list of happy clients (along with the fact that most will help you sharpen your skills). I have interviewed quite a few women re-entering the work force. The single largest error seems to be an inadequate wardrobe. Take a long look at what the people in your career field are wearing and dress the part (to the extent you are able). Don't be apologetic over having been a mom, home manager, school teacher, counselor, receptionist, nurse and cook. Its what you did, and now you are going to give some lucky company the benefit of all that background. If they aren't realistic -- you are probably better off.
Rpoole: Just get out there and hunt, hunt, hunt.....I found that the more you put it off, the less likely you are to even try it later.....there's no sense in being misserble the rest of your life!!
xprof: There are many useful suggestions here, to which I would add an anecdote and a suggestion. Twenty years ago, a friend with a degree in mechanical engineering was about to be laid off. He had been working for 12 years in the area of telemetry and had never worked as an M.E., per se, and was very concerned that he had "no marketable skills."
Of course, nothing could be further from the truth, but he took a lot of convincing. Moral: develop a clear idea of what you want to do and assess your skills and attributes fairly -- don't overlook important ones or sell yourself short. And above all, keep a positive attitude, believe in yourself and don't anticipate negative reactions from prospective interviewers.
Good hunting!
Mgimein: Sorry, but I'm just not impressed with the intelligence of some of these responses. Can't anyone do better than repeating the same few cliches? Functional resumes don't work except for the lamest of jobs -- ANYBODY who looks at resumes will tell you that the first thing they ask is how old the experience is -- unless they just throw it in the trash. And word processing skills are great, but since our correspondent says out front that's not what she wants to do -- and since, quite bluntly, despite any amount of government legislation the outlook for 50 year old secretaries is dismal -- they seem utterly beside the point.
Well, on to something constructive. Professional school helps, if you've been to college. A teaching certificate in many places takes only about 6 classes (less than a year of full-time study). I would also suggest concentrating on government and civil service positions, which can include everything from administration to teaching and social work. Government agencies are much more receptive to older workers. And because their hiring policies are strictly limited by education, experience, and civil service exam guideline, they often don't especially care how old your experience is.
GrandAdmiralPetry: I'd suggest you have experience in the integrated-computer era -- we're now in the distributed-computing era. The standard reply to your question is to think-up and think-about the spiritual qualities you express(ed) in that work, and indeed in your labors since, and recognize your right place as the expression of those same attributes (qualities you can attribute to an intelligent Principle, not merely to historicity).
Consider also that America hasn't gone to the moon since before your children were-born a quarter century ago, so the challenge may be to appreciate that everyone else in America hasn't really seen much new under the sun while you've been busy -- Cheer up! The sun does, everyday.
DivaPrime: The best book I've found for folks in your situation is "What Color is Your Parachute?" The workbook will help you find your skills, so you know what to market.
Do not neglect your local colleges, even if you can't, or don't want to, take classes. Career Centers have job fairs, aptitude testing, free or cheap workshops in resume writing and interviewing skills. There's usually some type of Women's or Re-entry program with support groups, alumni networking meetings and a job board.
Once you get some idea of what you want to be doing, investigate community business groups to meet with others in your chosen field -- especially the women's groups, since they are usually more supportive of folks returning to work after taking care of family obligations.
Best of luck!
Velix: If you were good at your job then, you are good at it now -- only the products change, not the skills. Your experience at home should be emphasized on your resume. Raising and teaching children at home is no easy task. Don't worry about your previous references; use people and entrepreneurs that you know now. A good character reference is as good or better than a work reference. Your word processing skills don.t change either, only the programs change. Take a course if you have to, but remember persistence in your job search will prevail.
GinnyS: I, too, am a stay at home mom, by choice. About 1 1/2 years ago, I became a consultant with The Pampered Chef. I had great people skills due to all my interactions with teachers, parents, etc. over the years. I also had a lot of contacts, so it was very easy to get started. It is inexpensive, allows you to work your own hours, and is a lot of fun. If you would like more info, you can reach me at [email protected].
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