Looking for a new job - Putting SAHD in a resume???????

[maximus605]

Hey,

I'm getting the boot from my job of 10 years and am finding it really dificult finding a new one as a SAHD. I mean, do you list it in your job history. I know that WE know it's a job, but does society see it that way? doesn't seem that way. I work for a CPA but I am kinda the office grunt and do everything around the offic but have been doing it frickin awesomly for 10 years. I'm also a Pampered Chef consultant on the side. And finding something in the evening to fit my current schedule is almost damn near impossible. OY! Any advice would be great :)

Justin - Newbie from Lancaster, Pa

[EX Race Driver]

The lady that interviewed me for my current job was really impressed with the whole SAHD thing. Come to find out about two weeks later that was the deciding factor in her hiring me.

Hope it helps man.

[maximus605]

Well I have an interview on Wednesday for a bank job at night. The hours are pefect but I would have to work on Friday nights - something I have never done, except occassionaly.

I'm also a Pampered Chef Kitchen Consultant and I think I'm going to take a jump and try this fulltime (besides the little one of course). I know I'm good enough, I just have to get bookings for shows and I'll be set. It's a huge jump and I'm pretty damn nervous, but I know it will work out great.


It's just, ya know, stepping out of the box of a weekly paycheck.

So, I guess we'll see if being a SAHD works in the "real" world for my interview.

I'll keep ya posted

Justin

[mnsahd]

These might help you out a little...

http://www.careerjournal.com/myc/workfamily/20030902-dunham.html

http://humanresources.about.com/od/careerandjobsearchhelp/a/employment_gap.htm

http://www.babycenter.com/dilemma/toddler/toddlerwork/1313496.html

Good luck.

[Buzz522]

When my wife lost her job 2 years ago, I went for a couple of interviews and was very disappointed. When the men interviewing me asked that question, "What have you been doiong for the last 6 years?" and my answer was staying at home with the baby. Well, I got two or three frowns, a couple of "What"'s and one guy got up walked out of the office and sent another guy in to tell me they'd be in touch..........so, good luck and try to find women interviewers, they know where you're coming from.........some of them may even have a slave at home like us........peace

[jeffus]

I've presented myself as a self-employed individual. Brought business cards, samples of past work, resumes that listed the 'time-off' as 'self-employed activity', even got a polo short with a company name on it with a logo. (Go ahead, call me, I'll give myself a stellar review).

I wasn't looking for full-time work but trying to sell my skills as someone who could be a resource, not an employee. I do drafting/engineering out of the house. I don't want to work full-time for somebody else anymore. We wake-up in the morning, eat breakfast together, pack the kid off to summer camp 3 days a week, and Daddy makes drawings from home for money.

After a few jobs, I was asked if I wanted to be hired or if I was a "strictly work-at-home sort of guy"?. I ran down that little menu of possible responses and proudly settled on the "Thanks a bunch, I'm flattered but, I'm a stay at home Dad and full-time work isn't in the cards right now".

I'm on my 4th job with this company now and they're just thrilled with me. I have a better internet connection than they do, I have more up to date software than they do, and a better work/home life balance than they do. So why, would I want to drive an hour to work, go to meetings, take silly phone calls, kiss the bosses butt all day, when I roll out of bed, turn on the computer, and go to work whenever and however long I feel like?

I'm lucky enough to have found some customers I can work with and will work with me in my role as At Home Dad. Hope it continues and offer this as encouragement to other Dads looking for a 'job'. Try working from home at what you're good at.

My 2 cents.

[homemongo]

I'm on my 4th job with this company now and they're just thrilled with me. I have a better internet connection than they do, I have more up to date software than they do, and a better work/home life balance than they do. So why, would I want to drive an hour to work, go to meetings, take silly phone calls, kiss the bosses butt all day, when I roll out of bed, turn on the computer, and go to work whenever and however long I feel like?

I'm lucky enough to have found some customers I can work with and will work with me in my role as At Home Dad. Hope it continues and offer this as encouragement to other Dads looking for a 'job'. Try working from home at what you're good at.

My 2 cents.

I'm lucky enough to be in a similar boat... I work from home Monday through Thursday and go into the office on Fridays to work on the hardware. I had started at my current company working full time and switched to mostly from home after my wife went back to work (her job has the benefits).

As far as what to tell people, I find it's easier to leave it as "self-employed" unless they want the whole story (you get a feeling who wants to hear what). But I do work from home around his pattern (We look at it as I can still put in about 20 hours a week and the salary lost would be what we'd end up dropping for day care and leaving him with god-only-knows five days a week)

[Buzz522]

That sounds really good, but what about a guy with basically no "virtual" skills. The computer world has kind of passed me by in the last 8 years the way things change so fast. I've checked out all sort of jobs on line where they say you can stay at home and most cost me $35 and turned out to be nothing more than rip offs.......... I have a degree in English, but went into the oil business out of school as a Land Man, securing oil leases and selling them to the people who drill and produce the oil. Did pretty good until the bottom fell out of the Louisiana Tuscaloosa Trend. In 1981 I started selling cars and stayed in that business until my daughter was born and I began my Mr Mom career. I write poetry and have had a bunch published both locally and nationally, but no one has chased me down and offered me a book deal yet. I began a Cookbook for stay at home dads......got it done thru breakfast and half way thru lunch, before I broke my leg......and now all this other stuff that's blown up in my face has left my mind empty except for trying to figure out how I'm gonna keep my dayghter after the divorce.

Has anyone out there found any reliable, good "REAL" telecommuting jobs for Data Entry or something any fool like me can do? I envy you and your drafting skills......wish I could draw, but everythng I draw turns out to look like a monkey or a rabbit.just ask my daughter. She thinks I'm hopeless as an artist. :P

....................peace

[Ma(tt)Daddy]

The lady that interviewed me for my current job was really impressed with the whole SAHD thing. Come to find out about two weeks later that was the deciding factor in her hiring me.


That is VERY encouraging news indeed!

:!: :!: :!: :!:

[jeffus]

I'm also a Pampered Chef Kitchen Consultant and I think I'm going to take a jump and try this fulltime (besides the little one of course). I know I'm good enough, I just have to get bookings for shows and I'll be set. It's a huge jump and I'm pretty damn nervous, but I know it will work out great.

Wonder how he made out....:shit:

His last post said he'd keep us posted....He did not.

[woodchuck]

That item has occcupied my:

resume
cover letter
application
phone conversation
electronic application involving blind box and temp services

Shunned like the plague,

most common response...." What were you in for? "......seriously. 95%.

Second most common response...." When did you get out? "....

Women interviewers...." You are not marketable, do not call us again or apply."

" Hi, I'm a stay at home dad, and would like employment.

" You are a pariah on society, just kill yourself and make it easier on society. Please."

Seriously, this is what I run into.

The rest of the time.....no response.

There are some companies within 45min of my area, moving floor sweepers from Pennsylvania because they cannot find local help.....they haven't even acknowledged my application.

I wish any person....lotsa luck pal.

200 resumes sent out in the 5+ years I've been a sahd.

[Cubfan]

I heard it was against the law in some states to revive threads >3 years old.

[cjbart]

Hey Cubby, don't you have a job to go to?

[Cubfan]

My schedule is Tue & Wed 4-7pm and every other Saturday 10-4. I'm kinda miffed about the every other Saturday thing, they just hired another PT'r and are gonna rotate us. I dont really want to work every Saturday but I could use the cash!

The other night one of the guys asked me if it was worth the hassle if I had to find a sitter for an hour or so. Well, after yesterday's miserable day, the answer is a resounding YES! It's nice just to get away from the daily grind.

[tt3]

Cub, I hope you know how incredibly jealous I am of you. How terribly green with envy?

[Bill S]

That item has occcupied my:

resume
cover letter
application
phone conversation
electronic application involving blind box and temp services

Shunned like the plague,

most common response...." What were you in for? "......seriously. 95%.

Second most common response...." When did you get out? "....

Women interviewers...." You are not marketable, do not call us again or apply."

" Hi, I'm a stay at home dad, and would like employment.

" You are a pariah on society, just kill yourself and make it easier on society. Please."

Seriously, this is what I run into.

The rest of the time.....no response.

There are some companies within 45min of my area, moving floor sweepers from Pennsylvania because they cannot find local help.....they haven't even acknowledged my application.

I wish any person....lotsa luck pal.

200 resumes sent out in the 5+ years I've been a sahd.

That's similar to what I run into, though I don't advertise the SAHD part. Because I have to schedule my possible work availability around my wife's work, that leaves me 2 weekdays and a Sunday that I could work.

Finding PT work that will accomodate that schedule is about impossible it seems. Unless I want to be a gas station attendant or work retail (which I SUCK at). :icon_redface:

Interestingly enough the women I mention that I'm a part-time stay at home Dad seem to be pretty supportive. The men, about 50-50% - some say I would love to be able to spend more time with my kids, the other half look at me like I had "F*** you" tatooed on my forehead.

It seems to be critical to mention "Part-time" before the "stay at Home Dad"; the "part time" implies that you're either working part time or looking for part time work. Ie, not a lazy bum. Stupid, but that's what I've encountered.

Society sure is a funny thing isn't it? Few people can think outside the box, or their cultural blinders.

[Cubfan]

Cub, I hope you know how incredibly jealous I am of you. How terribly green with envy?

yeah it's an absolutely perfect pt job for now. Talk shop, get away from the kids, discount on supplies, sip beer all night, make a few bucks, sample customers beers, wines, meads, etc..

I actually swung by another hbs yesterday just cuz we needed to get out and I wanted to scope it out. Asked them about jobs which they were receptive to but I probably could only get one day a week there. Nice place, not the best location though.

Early next month we are doing a wine tasting, they've been making wine kits in the back of the shop. They invite the whole mailing list to get people in and sample wines and get them into the hobby or buy more stuff. So in a few Saturdays I'll be getting paid to pour wine all night. And coming up this Wednesday we're having a "pre-tasting" with food pairings so we know how to describe the wines at the tasting. Get paid for that too :eusa_dance: I've gotten several free brew-related T-shirts from suppliers, etc.. Not great money, but nice little perks.

[woodchuck]

Bill S, one thing that worked for me was getting in with some small tree services as an extra groundie.
There is pay, and excercise. Not much conversation, too much noise.

[jeffus]

I heard it was against the law in some states to revive threads >3 years old.

Sometimes it's a good thing to revisit the past. Perspectives and situations change over time. We're supposed to be more 'free-thinking' than the most, so it is interesting to look back. I think.

[taoistfrog]

This seems like as good a place as any for this...I've been working PT at a home improvement warehouse-type store, I'm sure you know the place, I just call it the 'Po.
Anywho, I work monday-friday, 8pm-midnight, stocking shelves and driving a forklift, which is kinda fun. But, I miss out on spending my evenings with the wife, not to mention the fact that I don't get to bed til 1am, and have to get up by 7am so the wife can get ready for work. Fortunately the Tadpole sleeps thru the night, actually 10 -12 hours, unusual for a 4 1/2 month old, from what I understand.
Anyway, so my issue is this... I'm so tired! Spending the day with the Tadpole wipes me out. Then 4 hours of busting ass to restock all sorts of heavy crap, I'm just exhausted and miserable 'cause of the lack of quality time with the wife.
Anybody have any ideas on how a career chef with mad woodworking skills could make some extra cash by working from home, instead of the pittance I bring home from the 'Po? My whole paycheck just goes to buy food for the house and doesn't leave me with any spending cash.
Sorry for the rambling nature of this post, so many issues, so little time between changings and feedings...
:morons:

[Hockeyfan]

This seems like as good a place as any for this...I've been working PT at a home improvement warehouse-type store, I'm sure you know the place, I just call it the 'Po.
Anywho, I work monday-friday, 8pm-midnight, stocking shelves and driving a forklift, which is kinda fun. But, I miss out on spending my evenings with the wife, not to mention the fact that I don't get to bed til 1am, and have to get up by 7am so the wife can get ready for work. Fortunately the Tadpole sleeps thru the night, actually 10 -12 hours, unusual for a 4 1/2 month old, from what I understand.
Anyway, so my issue is this... I'm so tired! Spending the day with the Tadpole wipes me out. Then 4 hours of busting ass to restock all sorts of heavy crap, I'm just exhausted and miserable 'cause of the lack of quality time with the wife.
Anybody have any ideas on how a career chef with mad woodworking skills could make some extra cash by working from home, instead of the pittance I bring home from the 'Po? My whole paycheck just goes to buy food for the house and doesn't leave me with any spending cash.
Sorry for the rambling nature of this post, so many issues, so little time between changings and feedings...
:morons:

Both my boys by 2-3 months slept about 12 hours a night (brag). Some of these poor souls on here don't have that at 1 year old. I feel for them. LOL.

Why can't you build wood stuff for people. Sell it locally. Build things custom order and the like. Not sure how metro your area is, but another guy who used to post on here, lives 1 minute from me and he is a chef. He does work on weekends for (don't want to list as don't know if he would want that out there). Basically he does shows/demonstrations on cooking and other similar things like using knives. He's a prof chef. Also he has been doing work with individuals or groups. He caters things for people. He does personal dinners for couples/families or whatever. Perhaps you wanted to have people over. You would hire him to cook the food at your own house and he brings the food and prepares it for you (tegether you plan the meal). Could be a romantic meal for you and the Mrs. or just something prepared as you were entertaining some friends. He does pretty well with all that. Doesn't seem to work too much. He's always home with his kids and has plenty of time with his wife.

That gig you got going is going to put a strain on your family/marriage....perhaps. It does have to be pretty tough. I could give you more info if your interested.

[jeffus]

Yeah. It's hard to figure out when it's actually worth working pt. Do you do it to make extra money, or to get away from the kids for a bit, or are you pursuing a FT job in the field? Does it cost more for a babysitter than you make an hour + driving to/from work? I keep tossing the idea of getting a PT job at $7/hr but babysitters cost $10/hr. So what's the point?! Just rambling...

[chuck]

I keep tossing the idea of getting a PT job at $7/hr but babysitters cost $10/hr.

hey tell ya what I'll cut ya a break Jeff I'll watch your kid for you while your working for only $7.50hr:chugchug:

[troy00690]

I have been kicking around the idea of doing this for extra cash flow. Trash removal. Charge flat rate for the truck load. I have a 01 Dakota. Drop a truck load off at the dump was $13 dollars 2 years ago.

I was figuring on around 50 dollars a truck load. That would cover gas round trip and the dump fee. That should put about 25 in my pocket for less then an hour of work.

[Hockeyfan]

Does it matter that it's not personal, but commercial? Is there a different fee? People who do that can make millions. Well if you own a business that does that. You could likely charge more than that! I would.

Oh yeah..tag a trailer on the back and you could haul a bunch.

[Will'sdad]

I have been kicking around the idea of doing this for extra cash flow. Trash removal. Charge flat rate for the truck load. I have a 01 Dakota. Drop a truck load off at the dump was $13 dollars 2 years ago.

I was figuring on around 50 dollars a truck load. That would cover gas round trip and the dump fee. That should put about 25 in my pocket for less then an hour of work.
Look into the township or county where you'd be hauling. In my township we can only use one of four approved haulers.

[cloweman]

Both my boys by 2-3 months slept about 12 hours a night (brag). Some of these poor souls on here don't have that at 1 year old. I feel for them. LOL.

Why can't you build wood stuff for people. Sell it locally. Build things custom order and the like. Not sure how metro your area is, but another guy who used to post on here, lives 1 minute from me and he is a chef. He does work on weekends for (don't want to list as don't know if he would want that out there). Basically he does shows/demonstrations on cooking and other similar things like using knives. He's a prof chef. Also he has been doing work with individuals or groups. He caters things for people. He does personal dinners for couples/families or whatever. Perhaps you wanted to have people over. You would hire him to cook the food at your own house and he brings the food and prepares it for you (tegether you plan the meal). Could be a romantic meal for you and the Mrs. or just something prepared as you were entertaining some friends. He does pretty well with all that. Doesn't seem to work too much. He's always home with his kids and has plenty of time with his wife.

That gig you got going is going to put a strain on your family/marriage....perhaps. It does have to be pretty tough. I could give you more info if your interested.

HF, has some excellent suggestion there. I know another option is to offer in home cooking classes. My parents hired a guy a few years ago to do one for me. I invited some friends over and he made a great meal from appetizers and salad to entrees and dessert. Those interested gathered around and helped/watched while sipping wine. The rest just sipped wine. In the end, he got paid cash and we had a great time. Many folks I've relayed the story to loved the idea and requested the guys info. Unfortunately, he did it as a family favor and didn't want to the work, but around here a guy (or gal) could make a killing. I think he charged somewhere around $200. He did bring the food to prepare. I think we tipped him an extra $60-80 on top of that.

Another option for someone who is handy is to do odd jobs for the SAHMs in the neighborhood. There are always those lists of things they want their husband to do, but he doesn't get around to. I've done several small projects for neighbors for which they said I saved them a ton of money. Things like fixing a garage door opener, hanging shelves or rewiring/replacing a light fixture. They say I could start my own handyman business, but I'm just not interested. I usually do it for free while they watch my kids for a while. They get the job done and I get away for a while. I'm not sure if these ideas would work for you, but they allow you to set your own hours, work for cash, and use the skills you already have.

[Hockeyfan]

HF, has some excellent suggestion there. I know another option is to offer in home cooking classes. My parents hired a guy a few years ago to do one for me. I invited some friends over and he made a great meal from appetizers and salad to entrees and dessert. Those interested gathered around and helped/watched while sipping wine. The rest just sipped wine. In the end, he got paid cash and we had a great time. Many folks I've relayed the story to loved the idea and requested the guys info. Unfortunately, he did it as a family favor and didn't want to the work, but around here a guy (or gal) could make a killing. I think he charged somewhere around $200. He did bring the food to prepare. I think we tipped him an extra $60-80 on top of that.

Another option for someone who is handy is to do odd jobs for the SAHMs in the neighborhood. There are always those lists of things they want their husband to do, but he doesn't get around to. I've done several small projects for neighbors for which they said I saved them a ton of money. Things like fixing a garage door opener, hanging shelves or rewiring/replacing a light fixture. They say I could start my own handyman business, but I'm just not interested. I usually do it for free while they watch my kids for a while. They get the job done and I get away for a while. I'm not sure if these ideas would work for you, but they allow you to set your own hours, work for cash, and use the skills you already have.


So what does Mrs. Cubfan ask for? :eusa_whistle:

And of course HF has some good ideas. It's what he does.

That could work too Clowe. My friend brings the food himself as well. With the client they decide what he will make. He then does the shopping and brings the food to the house and bam. Also he joined the local Chamber of Commerce. Through that he has done a few freebies for them and he has met some clients through it and got jobs. Did some stuff for the town here too. With that he could give out cards and such to advertise his business. Also is on a website for his business. People have called after finding him on the net. Just depends on the place you live. Is it large enough and does it have the types of folk that would use that service. Typically a more middle to upper class type of clientele.

[taoistfrog]

Wow, thanks you guys. You have some great ideas there.

I do live in a resort town, so there would be plenty of potential clients for a private chef kinda thing. I've considered it before, but I always get bogged down with the details-you know laws and health codes and such, I've always been a stickler for rules, but I also lack some follow thru when it comes to procedural stuff, but I suppose the wife could help get me thru that stuff-she's a lawyer and lives for that stuff.

Then there's the fear...I gotta get over this confidence thing, I know I'm good at what I do, but...maybe it's the depression, I need more Prozac. :offtopic:

Well, thanks guys, your support and enthusiasm are encouraging.
Cheers.:chugchug:

[cloweman]

Once you get things up and running I'll send you an address you can mail my commission checks.

[Hockeyfan]

Once you get things up and running I'll send you an address you can mail my commission checks.

He didn't mean "your" ideas. He meant mine.

[cloweman]

He didn't mean "your" ideas. He meant mine.

If that helps you sleep better, keep thinking that. He knows who to send the check to.:trophy:

[tt3]

Finding something during the day, something that you can bring the kid to, man, thats ideal. I did part time at the local Y, kids came to work with me and I got paid to be the only hardass guy in the kids area. Fun stuff. I should apply in the new town...
I like the idea to marketing the Honey-Do list! Hey, watch my kid for a couple hours, I'll get the chores done. Throw in a $20 and we're good!

[fondestpie]

My pt just switch to 12 hours shifts i am only there 2 days a week but it is
7a-7p sat and sun so i cant really complain to much but i also work in a very flexible field

[rxis]

During my interview, I spoke about being at home with my children and the board just laughed out of their seats. A woman actually said something along the lines of "so you've been slacking off while making your wife make the money". She looked like a man. :morons: Never mind that I was in school and working at the same time. I thought it was a positive display of character, but apparently it means I'm a freak.

Never again will I bring that up at a workplace.

[Philip]

I haven't been in the official workplace in a couple of years, but when a casual conversation asks me what I do I tell them I'm a manager. I mentioned this to one person who who "got it" and realized that that what I do is like managing two difficult employees for close to 90-100 hours per week.

[Bill S]

During my interview, I spoke about being at home with my children and the board just laughed out of their seats. A woman actually said something along the lines of "so you've been slacking off while making your wife make the money". She looked like a man. :morons: Never mind that I was in school and working at the same time. I thought it was a positive display of character, but apparently it means I'm a freak.

Never again will I bring that up at a workplace.

I think I would have been seriously tempted to ask "Do you actually have a spouse, or a bunch of cats?" followed by "at least my kids aren't at daycare rotting away while you work to pay for the latest consumer gadgets".

Followed by me walking out the door.

[CTdadof3]

During my interview, I spoke about being at home with my children and the board just laughed out of their seats. A woman actually said something along the lines of "so you've been slacking off while making your wife make the money".

I think at that point I would have stood up, thanked them for their time, wished them well in their continued search, and walked out.

After 4.5 years at home, I am actively searching to re-enter the workforce. I don't specifically note on my resume or cover letters my role as a sahd. There is definitely a gap in my work history. Some of the time is filled by my MBA work. Still, it is possible the gap is limiting me. In one phone interview I had, I explained my time at home to the hiring manager. His response was generally positive. Of course, I didn't get the callback, so who knows.

[stretch]

I think at that point I would have stood up, told them to fuck off and die, and walked out.
Fixed that for you. :wtf:

[CTdadof3]

^ Well of course I'd be thinking that, but I always try to take the high road....good karma and all that.

[Bill S]

Or how about filling in that gap in the resume with "stayed home to help take care of my very ill wife/mother, etc"? Or on sabattical for 2 years, or had chronic Lyme Disease (one of my personal experiences) and couldn't work for X period of time (I didn't work for over a year due to illness)...

Got to get creative.

[Mark B.]

Or how about filling in that gap in the resume with "stayed home to help take care of my very ill wife/mother, etc"? Or on sabattical for 2 years, or had chronic Lyme Disease (one of my personal experiences) and couldn't work for X period of time (I didn't work for over a year due to illness)...

Got to get creative.

Taking care of an incontinent, bed ridden and mobility challenged family member. That ain't lying is it?

[Hockeyfan]

Taking care of an incontinent, bed ridden and mobility challenged family member. That ain't lying is it?

Isn't something I want to put on my resume. Yikes. They would think I had a disease and avoid me like the plague.