It did not make financial sense for me to work when my dd was small. I was fortunate enough to get to homeschool her for preschool (still wish DH would agree to let me pull her out of PS) but now as it stands I really need to find some gainful employment while she is in school. Is it just me or do employers discriminate against people with no work history? How do you get work experience if no one will employ you? I honestly feel like I am now being punished for staying at home with my dd instead of working and barely covering my gas and child care with the money I made. I will admit I've not gotten much sleep over this and I'm running ragged. I feel like all the work I do at home (ya'll know it IS work!) isn't worth anything to anyone else. Ideally I'd like to work at home but finding a legit way to do so is next to impossible I'm sure. Had to vent, any tips?
It was the same with DH and I when we were married, only our deal was Credit. Nobody would give us credit, because we had no credit history. How were we supposed to get a history if nobody would give us credit! And when they did, it was such a rediculous interest rate. ugh. I know how you feel. Most employers (IMO) are male, and some of them don't know that running a home is a job in itself. They just don't see it translated (even though we do ). Keep your chin up, and pray! God has a plan!
I'm not sure that it's a matter of employers discriminating against those with no work history rather a general state of your economy. There are millions of American's who find themselves in the same place as you're in right now. As for what to do to put yourself out there, I don't have a magical solution but all I can recommend is volunteering your time to gain skills you may lack. Don't ever regret being a stay at home mom - you did a greater thing by being home and raising your children when they absolutely needed you most and anyone who looks down on that isn't worth the time of day IMO.
My advice would be to start with jobs that are not really desirable, or the hours are not desirable, or the location (far away, or underserved population) is not desirable. You might have to put some time in at an unfavorable job but then you'll have experience and possibly recommendations from a supervisor so you can move on to a better position. Good luck.
There is no place to volunteer around here besides animal shelters and I don't really have the cash to drive an hour just to get to a shelter. Getting even an undesirable job in this town seems like its impossible. Ive even put in at walmart, sonic, and local pizza places. No such luck. It may not be that I am being overlooked due to my lack of experience, however it certainly feels that way. Thank you ladies!
Is there anything you can do on your own, like yard work, running errands, babysitting, or house cleaning? You could try putting an ad in the paper to pick up some work like that. One year I put an ad in as a gardener's helper (Weeding, raking, mowing, etc....) and got two jobs off of it. The one job lasted all summer. Just get one of those mileage logs for your car and keep track of any miles that you drive for self-employed work. When you report income like that on you taxes, the mileage is deductible. You can put down self-employment on a resume too! Can you take some college classes to gain skills that would be useful in your local area? Nursing assistant, office worker, etc.... ??
Sadly, I think it is her lack of work history. Back before the economy crashed I went looking for work and the only job I could get was waitressing for the same company I had waitressed for years earlier. My lack of recent work history kept retail jobs from wanting to hire me. Maybe you could use your SAHM skills. Put up homemade flyers in local shops advertising that you will babysit at your house or after school or clean houses or do elderly errands or cook freezer meals for families. Not everyone has SAHM skills. See if your local library or community center or churches will let you teach a class on homemade cleaners or couponing or canning whatever you're good at. In this economy people are searching for ways to save money-maybe if you have some tips on how to save, you could make some money.
What about going to a temp agency? It may not be steady work but it is usually a good place to get a foot in the door and something on the resume. Also make sure you put down anything you do at church or even at your child's school.
We have one temp agency, they were no help AT ALL. Our town is so small that no one would bother with a class at the library. My dds teacher HATES me so I don't get involved much with the school or anything like that, our community doesn't have a lot of goings on much less volunteer opportunities. People in our area just don't have the cash to pay for someone to clean their house, do yard work or cook meals. We are all barely getting by doing it ourselves! We live so far out in the country that if I did drive into town to clean a house or mow a yard $15 for gas would have to come right off the top and as of now my vehicle isn't being reliable (all the things all at once) I have to go to a parent teacher thing this afternoon and have a dead battery. Nothing to jump it off of and no charger (DH has it and its dead grrrr) I really feel like I should have stayed in bed. Thank you for all of the options, I just live in a really small town where most people fill their freezers with deer and garden and hold on to every penny. Relocation is not an option and I don't have child care other than school so.......hopelessness....it will get better. I know it will
It probably is the lack of work history. DH is very understanding of this scenario because of me, but his supervisor is always dismissing candidates on the sole basis of no work history (or big gaps). He (the supervisor) is more likely to hire a fresh-out-of-high-school 18yo than a 30+ mom who hasn't worked in a decade (or more). And that's the norm in the corporate world. AND... our job is one of the "undesirable" jobs; because, hey, it's bottom level retail. [DH does the first interview, the supervisor does the second. Supervisor doesn't even work in our store.]
I completely understand your small town woes. I also live in a depressed area....and we fall into the hunt/fish/garden/can/convert-an-outhouse-into-a-chicken-coop bunch. I totally get that there are no jobs to get where people will hire you for work they can do themselves. Nobody pays for classes that are offered for menial tasks they can figure out how to do on their own or online. It just is not there like it used to be. As for undesirable jobs....they are being taken by laid off factory workers or previously retired individuals forced to re-enter the workforce. Keep your chin up and pray for the Lord (if you are so inclined) to give you an idea that you would have never thought of on your own. That is where we are, too.
I get it, I live in a cow county Even in cow counties though there are various classes of people. If I drive 20-30 minutes in a couple of different directions I can find sections of towns that are much 'richer' than others. Of course the economy does make it harder on even those with a bit more money. But if you advertise in shops that cater to those who aren't hurting as bad...like nail salons, tanning salons, higher end shops, etc places in your town that has a clientele that obviously has some disposable income...you might find a client base for house cleaning or something similar. Don't rule out elderly or child care though. Even in a rough economy, there are still people who work to earn money that need help caring for their kids or aging parents so that they can work. Even if it's just 'sit with granny 2 days a week while I work-cook her 2 meal and do some light housekeeping' it's something you can put down for job history. How do you feel about changing adult diapers? Many nursing homes will do on-the-job training for you to get your CNA certification. It's not a high paying job, but you will ALWAYS be able to find a job. And it would at least get you some job history.... Maybe mom and pop shops would be more likely to hire you? Around here they are usually more understanding of gaps in job history that were there for you to be a SAHM (and often more flexible hours as well) As far as work at home opportunities, I agree finding a legit business to work for at home is hard, I think the best route is to work for yourself. What are you good at? Do you love to write? Start a blog then look for free lance writing jobs or write your own book. Are you crafty? Open an Etsy Shop. Have great secretarial skills? Become a virtual assistant. Good with kids? Open a home daycare. Good cook? Start a catering business or cake decorating business. Good with your DSLR and photoshop? Open your own photography business.
I suggested this because while *I* would NEVER pay for a class like that (as I bet most of those here wouldn't either) because I've been very thrifty for my entire life LOL the economy is effecting people who have never had to be thrifty. People with families to support that have no clue how to use coupons, budgets their money, cook from scratch to save money, make homemade anything to save money are now trying to figure out how to do those things. I actually suggested this because I know a homeschooling mom of 4 who gives classes on these topics once a month and makes quite good at it. She drives about 1 hour to get to a good location, but what's a 1 hour drive once a month if you're making $500-600 plus get leads on clients to make even more money with one-on-one help? Honestly-she makes more per month working one day a week plus doing classes 1 day/month than my husband makes working 10 hours a day 5 days a week! She does it on a Saturday at a community center. (she started out by paying to rent the room-then she ended up striking up a deal with the community center-she does one free class for them monthly and she get the room free for the rest of her classes) She does several classes that day, 1-2 hours each. One on couponing, one is tips to save money on food (includes a little on couponing then some recipes and tips to cut your eatting out bills and grocery bills, what to buy in bulk, etc), one on budgeting, one on shopping used (what to buy used, what to buy new, best places to buy used in that area) etc Plus in the classes she offers to meet with you personally (for a fee) to help you specifically with your needs. If you want her to make your budget for you, she will. If you want her to go to the grocery store with you and your coupons, she will. If you want her to come to your house and show you how make homemade laundry detergent, she will. She makes a killing at this. She does the classes once a month then one day a week she meets with clients for one-on-one personal extra help and she make more than my hubby! While homeschoolers as a general rule wouldn't pay for these as we tend to know how to use the internet well, we're one income families with larger families so we've had to live like this for years even when the economy was good, people who are (or were) a 2 income family have 2.1 kids and are now being hit with the fact they they really don't know how to budget money because they've never had to...they are floundering. Those people....they will pay for these classes. For one thing, they are used to buying things LOL Seriously, think about it, Dave Ramsey has tons of free info on his website, but people will pay $169 for a DVD of his classes. Seriously? He's worth $55 MILLION because people PAY him to tell them how to save money and get out of debt! People will buy ANYTHING if you know how to sell it
I have a friend who started a personal shopper business for others. She's a couponing pro, seriously. So other people give her piles of coupons, their shopping list, and 24 hours. She cuts their grocery budge by 1/3-1/2 and they pay her up to $50 to do it! They end up spending about the same, but without having to actually do the work/shopping. Plus she ends up with their unwanted coupons to use for herself. lol
JosieB, I have been thrifty too, been couponing since high school (yes at 14 I was getting make-up and high dollar perfume for pennies) it is so great for you friend to have that going for her I hope she continues to do well I have many times thought of opening an etsy shop or selling my crafts online like a facebook swap shop, but I cannot see why people would pay over double what something cost to make when it is just a decoration. Since I myself wouldn't do such I can't see why anyone else would. But maybe that's the wrong way of thinking? I noticed a woman today with a ad for an errand service (i assume her own) I wonder how well she is doing? thank you all for the ideas, i guess i was just stuck in a "actual leave the house job only" mindset. and I cannot for the life of me see spending %25 bucks on a door hanger when I can make one for $5
Dawn, I was wondering if you could turn your SAHM skills/experience into a business-like resume? Make your computer and home skills sound like pink-collar and blue-collar skills. Then it wouldn't look like you've been "just a mom". Help a potential employer see that you HAVE been working! Organization skills and scheduling, bookkeeping, filing, interpersonal skills and phone skills, etc., you'd emphasize if you're going for an office type job. Time management, planning, cleaning/laundry, couponing/financial skills, cooking, etc., you'd emphasize if you're going for something else. Get creative with your descriptions of what you do every day.
I absolutely think it has something to do with being out of the workplace. I spent all last week applying for jobs. I got my first rejection email (from Target) yesterday.
sorry to hear it sixcloar. its tough out there! I wonder if Lindina is on to something. A good friend is going with me tomorro to talk me up to his supervisors. fingers crossed, its from 8-2 leaving me time to get k8 to school and home, plus its not that far of a drive. It is exactly what I have been looking for. Heres hoping! All the luck to you sixcloar!
yep I haven't been in the work force for over 20 years and I been told no so many times its not funny. But, I will soon find someone to help us.
Bless your heart Kris, it gets discouraging after a while. I wish there was a way to make employers see that the choices we made does not make us unemployable, if anything it proves we are hard workers, intelligent, and determined. I saw a necklace many years ago with your quote. I still love it to this day
