Needing to enter the workforce after being a SAHM

I don't really know, kind of one of the reasons I'm working on my nursing degree, it's almost impossible to find a job around here unless it's a low paying factory/ or fast food
 

What kind of kitchen work? You could check around for cook or waitstaff positions, or the bakery or deli departments at the grocery stores.

There is retail also, but you might want to jump on that soon due to summer vacation.

Office jobs are cutthroat, but there is receptionist and appointment setters at salons, etc as well.

I'd just take a day armed with resume/cover letter, a stapler, and drive through the town filling out applications everywhere, stapling my stuff to it, and give the stack back for them to have on file.

I would go to an employment agency and talk to them.  They might test you and help find a fit for you somewhere.  

I know with office jobs, you have to be advanced in most of the software.  I, fortunately, found a job that was willing to train me and then I took online courses to help get me up to speed with the rest of the world that didn't take a break to raise their kids.

I know if I am let go from this job, the first place I will visit is a temp agency to see if I can get some type of work immediately.

I would sign up for every temp agency in a 50 mile radius, test with them and call every week like they'll ask you to.

Temp work is awesome. You can check out the company before you hire on permanently and you gain lots of experience along the way. You can also dramatically increase your hourly wage - jumping jobs every 6 months, each one with an increase in pay. Many temp agencies even let you come into their office and "train" - using different software tutorials and learning different computer-based office skills. Those tests can go directly onto your resume and your temp work is ONE job line item because you work for the temp agency not each individual placement.

And yes, they offer benefits. You have to work for them for a little while (a month to three months) and you have to keep working pretty consistently (but you want to do that anyway) but you can buy into a benefit plan.

Once you have an agent who loves you and believes in you, they WILL keep you working. Your first assignment will probably be awful but they're just testing you to see what you can handle. Pass that test and you just might get plum assignments.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookie2 

I would sign up for every temp agency in a 50 mile radius, test with them and call every week like they'll ask you to.

 

Temp work is awesome. You can check out the company before you hire on permanently and you gain lots of experience along the way. You can also dramatically increase your hourly wage - jumping jobs every 6 months, each one with an increase in pay. Many temp agencies even let you come into their office and "train" - using different software tutorials and learning different computer-based office skills. Those tests can go directly onto your resume and your temp work is ONE job line item because you work for the temp agency not each individual placement.

 

And yes, they offer benefits. You have to work for them for a little while (a month to three months) and you have to keep working pretty consistently (but you want to do that anyway) but you can buy into a benefit plan.

 

Once you have an agent who loves you and believes in you, they WILL keep you working. Your first assignment will probably be awful but they're just testing you to see what you can handle. Pass that test and you just might get plum assignments.

Heck, you make me want to quit my job and work temp.

Don't undervalue your experience, even the fact that you've been a SAHM.  It's tough work!  Don't think of your past job it in terms of the job title, but rather the tasks you performed that could be applied to other jobs.  Things like this:

Supervised others

Managed ______

Think of other action verbs like "balanced, headed, negotiated, etc."

Most people get their jobs these days by networking.  Put the word out to EVERYONE you can think of that you're looking and have them keep their eyes and ears open for you.  Are you on Linked In?  That's a good place to look too.

Good luck!

I also agree with Kim. Tell EVERYONE that you're looking for a job. And do write up a resume and apply, apply, apply. You don't have to organize your whole resume around a time line. There is a form of resume called a "skills resume". List true, verifiable skills especially if you did volunteer work or coached teams (cheerleading!). Write a cover letter that you can customize with every application but DO emphasize that you were a stay-at-home mom for a while and just recently decided to return to the workforce full time (I think that helped me land the job at Dillards - which, BTW, does come with benefits.)

Have someone review your resume. Actually, have more than one person review it. Feel free to modify your resume to fit the job for which you're applying (highlighting certain skills over others - not lying, of course.) DO use keywords, especially if you see certain skills listed in the job posting. Many resumes, especially the on-line ones, are scanned by a computer program first. If those key words aren't there on your application, your application won't be seen by human eyes. DO fill out the entire application AND attach your resume AND cover letter for every single job to which you apply.

Most applications are on-line now. I think in hubby's job search he turned in only one physical paper application. I never wrote a paper application until I actually got the job and had to fill one out for legal reasons.

Your state unemployment office will probably have an on-line job board that is available for anyone to use.

DO tell your current part-time employer that you're looking to increase your hours. Perhaps you can work part-time in the kitchen and part-time in their office or something else.

Don't worry about the temp agencies having more work than they are able to handle. Most of the people on unemployment don't want a long-term temp assignment because it goofs up their unemployment eligibility. Since you're already working part-time, do tell the temp agency that you're willing to take a part-time assignment if it meshes with your current job.

If your hubby does lose his job, immediately go to H&W and apply for benefits (TANF, food stamps). You might not immediately qualify but you'll at least be educated on when benefits will kick in and your children can get on Medicaid or medical subsidy. Your hubby won't qualify for unemployment because he was fired for cause.

BTW, did you know he was drinking during the day?