Recruiters - why would you not employ a SAHM?

[Movetothebeat]

This is a question specifically for those who make the decisions on recruitment:

Why would you not employ a long-term SAHM? What puts you off? What would the candidate need to demonstrate to convince you to consider them as a serious candidate?

I ask because I’ve been a SAHM for 7 years, after having been working for 20 years following University. So far I’ve only applied for 3 jobs, got an interview for 1, but didn’t get it. I’ve seen too much on MN and other places to think I’m on the scrap heap, plus being late 40’s doesn’t help

I’d like to address any recruiters concerns about seeing me as a possibility before I apply for anymore positions.

I was a sahp for 10 years, the last few years of that I did as much volunteer work as I could and kept that volunteering to professional type roles, eg I chaired a group that worked with various professional bodies.

I really think it was a huge advantage, because even though I hadn't worked recently, I could still demonstrate that I had used all of the professional skills interviewers asking for - IT, working with different people, handling difficult situations etc with recent examples. Some of the people I met during the volunteering also gave me great references.

Get something current on your cv which you can talk about at interview, look at 'lily future learn' for free online quick courses, some are only 2-4hrs long and give you a line on your cv, there are loads of options for different industries and they are accredited by universities so look really impressive

I would have no issue recruiting someone who had been a SAHM as long as they meet the person specification and score the highest at interview.

@Staryflight445 your advice is naive. Any applicant to a post needs to be able to demonstrate how they meet the person spec. I’m happy for people to tell me about their transferable skills or what action they are taking to develop their skills in an area but I would expect some examples of this. Voluntary work, self study, shadowing opportunities etc are all valid experiences. Someone saying they are too busy looking after their family would still have to tell me how they think they meet the person spec and give examples of this.

I recruit and would be looking for recent relevant experience /study over everything else. These future learn courses tick that box

Wow OP you have a completely different issue!
You're applying for v. competitive roles, with the competition being ither people like you.
PT, term-time etc jobs are a different kettle of fish altogether and wiser people will be along to advise...

I have! In my experience if the employer can be flexible they often make really loyal and hardworking team members (and I was a SAHM myself so love helping people back into work). SAHMs are varied of course, but many have degrees and experiences both pre-kids and from voluntary work.

Unfortunately companies seem to favour people who are already in work and moving jobs rather than those out of work. Having a long gap in your work history seems to put people of. You could either do voluntary work or an internship to get some recent experience on your CV. Or maybe look to do some temp work?
I work for a LGA and we usually employ people on 6mth fixed term contracts but most get extended. Once you are working for a LGA you can apply for the permanent vacancies and have good opportunities for development. Indeed is a good place to upload your CV and apply for jobs.

@Movetothebeat

Thanks for the replies.

I do volunteer for two places - school PTA (waste of time due to Covid tbh) and Scouts. I would like to volunteer in more of an office environment but where I live this has proved impossible to find so far.

I only worked in sales admin and logistics so nothing particularly highly skilled, however it did crossover with getting heavily involved with working within the sales and marketing teams and finance. Worked for large international company which you would recognise if I named it. The role had a lot of responsibility and mistakes could be unbelievably costly.

The job that I applied for were all for various school admin so within my capabilities (at least compared to 7 yrs ago), and tbh when compared to my last role they would be a big step down. I received very good feedback directly from the hiring manager for the role that I was interviewed for; I was one of 4 candidates and was told it was down to between me and one other, and I scored very highly in the IT, in-tray, and verbal reasoning tests. I didn’t get it because the other candidate had experience of one specific criteria I was told (turns out she was DH’s employee who left for this role, and was doing the same role but wanted part-time).

DH is a CEO and his organisation has the recruitment motto that they “recruit for attitude rather than just experience.” It has worked well for them but I can tell from the responses that they are in the minority.

Anyway, I have taken on board some ideas to hopefully help me succeed in getting a job.

Whatever town or county you live in try both the councils website. If you scored well on your previous interview you sound like you have a good chance. The job world is very competitive now, maybe more so than when you were last looking for work. If your DH is a CEO is there nothing available where he works? You could also try the NHS and Police jobs page if you are looking for admin roles. A lot of places are doing remote/hybrid working now too.

You could join the staff bank at your local NHS Trust. Its like temping.
You would probably get admin experience that way, and it would be a real advantage if you wanted to apply for an NHS job.

@Turningpurple

I would (and have)employ a sahm. However, most often there's someone else with more recent and extensive experience.

Its not an issue with sahms as such. Its the comparing them to other candidates.

Its why I always suggest people do some training or something recent before they start applying. Or really learn how to sell yourself.

This.

Think about the job you want, and then think about the quickest way to get your experience up to the level of the people you’re competing against, and focus on getting on that path by whatever means necessary. In an IV think about what the companies problems are and how you’ll solve them - what does all your experience being that others probably won’t.

3 interviews is nothing mind you.

It’s your competition rather than you personally.

If I’m hiring for a support role for example and I get 100 applications, I have to shortlist 20 to screen by phone, I’m going to pick 20 people who A) have done admin before
B) are in a similar job now
C) have a degree.

If 80 of my applicants had those three things (not that unlikely), I would pick those with the best degrees (Russell group, 2:1 and above) the most solid job histories (no job hopping) and fairly local. That actually could narrow it to 25 people so anyone with another language would go to the top of the pile.

If I had 15 applications only, I’d ring everyone except those with badly proofed CVs. Any apostrophes in the wrong place, or poor grammar wouldn’t work as drafting letters is often part of the role.

I

Like most others, I wouldn't not employ someone who had been a SAHM as some sort of (even sub-conscious) rule, but, like in every recruitment process, you look at all the candidates available, and select the one that appears to be the best.
Recent experience in the field is going to be a plus point which you won't have.

As a pp said - think about "Why should they employ you above the other candidates" and see how you can improve how you are selling yourself.

If you had a relevant skill set or unique talents then depending on the mission, you would be considered, if however more revelent or different skill set is needed that you don't have, then others would be considered first priority.

I recruited someone who had been a stay at home mum for ten years plus. She took a more junior role than she has previously done - one level below. She was very qualified. Simple

And I found the late 40s comment as being an obstacle really bizarre. Most people will work for another 15 years and will bring a whole host of experience.

OP I work in finance and in the last 3 years on my team the shift has moved from recruiting young college graduates who would be available to do lots of overtime to looking for commitment and those more likely to stay in the roles. Our last four positions have gone to mothers BECAUSE they were mothers. 2 were returning to the work force, 2 were working elsewhere. In previous times they would not have been considered as there would have been pre conceived ideas about sick children, childcare crisis etc. But after having recruits constantly leave within 2 years for bigger and better opportunities internally on other teams our recruitment has changed focus to who will come and will STAY. You have a great chance

I think being late 40s is probably more problematic. There is a lot of ageism.
This. Have you considered CS? Can be very family-friendly, flexible, non-ageist and more willing to consider non work-related experience. CS also loves the STAR interview method which allows you to showcase minimal experience.
One thing I tripped up on in an interview was Teams as I hadn’t used it before
None of us had before lockdown

Three job applications is nothing! And an interview for one is actually pretty good.

@AgentProvocateur

As the others have said, I wouldn’t interview you due to lack of recent experience in the industry and also in IT (teams, one drive etc).

I have always worked but I didn't use teams or one drive until lockdown and wfh. It took about two minutes to learn. So I don't think it having used certain applications is a barrier unless it's something hard like photoshop.

As long as someone meets the essential requirements for a role I would always consider them. The finer details regarding personal circumstances would then be discussed at interview if necessary and a conversation would be had as to how it can work for both the employee and employer.

With applying for jobs it’s all a numbers game even when on paper you might be perfect for the job! An interview out of 3 applications is good going so you’re definitely on the right track!

I’d also recommend being open to temporary roles - sometimes they can even be made permanent and if not it’s great to have the experience if you’ve been out of the market for a while!

Depending on your experience/ profession, a lot of professional companies have 'Return to Work' programmes that help you overcome the recent experience barriers etc - might be worth looking into one of those?

I have recruited a few return to work candidates, some work out, some don't (just like other recruits!). Usually in our profession, it to do with being able to handle the pace at which we work (consultancy), so when recruiting, I'd bring up the pace and what a typical day looks like and want a candidate to demonstrate, with examples and attitude, that they would be able to handle that culture and pace.

Age will be your biggest barrier here. Welcome to the world of ageism where post 40 your attractiveness to employers hugely declines esp as a woman.

I sometimes feel SAHMs may be out of touch with the workforce, may not want to be directed or tow the line having done their own thing and not having to report to anyone for years.

Finally commitment is an issue. If you can afford to take time off are you going to hustle to be back at work? Is your job secondary to your important DHs job so you'll not take your role as seriously? Does that mean you'll never do extra hours or be available? Are you now the default person in your relationship who has to deal with every child or hhld emergency so as to protect your dhs more important job?

Small things but employers do think of these so ways to evidence commitment and willingness to hustle at interview or in your cv would be good.

Waferbiscuit what are you on about with 'the hustle'?

OP your skills need to be up to date. Show willing by doing an udemy course at least.
Make sure your linkedin profile is up to date.

And steel yourself as you will need to apply for lots more jobs.

It’s that there will be numerous competing candidates with current experience / no long gap on their CV.

So would apply for a LOT of jobs and get some new experience.