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.

@NoToLandfill I work in an industry where staff get ahead if they can go the distance and be really proactive in coming up with new ideas etc. It is also fast paced. So I just meant showing that you fit with that culture and way of working.

Please don’t get despondent after three applications! My cousin is still plugging away after two years and hundreds of applications.

Recent experience has been his issue (and a very limited skill set but that’s another story)

Add some volume, tweak your cv for each job and maybe volunteer or if you can, freelance in the interim. I’m sure you’ll get there. Good luck.

I’ve been a SAHM for the same number of years. I managed to volunteer for several months almost full time and apply for a position at the same place that’s really below my level slowly building my way up. I still work way below my previous level but I don’t mind. It wasn’t easy at all and social networking helped a lot. Just try and never give up.

Thanks for the feedback all, and I have noted the particularly helpful areas to look at like CS, NHS etc and Future Learn.

It is demoralising to be told that being late 40’s and/or a parent means I’m likely to be disregarded despite anything else I may have to offer.

I think it’s something like nearly 80% of women in the UK will have children and employers should be well used to parents, usually the mothers, having to leave early to pick up sick children from school/nursery. I worked for 20 years after leaving University and no one batted an eyelid when this happened (of course some colleagues complained but most accepted that this is part of life). Of course it’s not ideal when there is a job to be done but if you want to value your employees then being a bit family friendly goes a long way towards staff loyalty and employee retention. (Btw I’m not talking about those that take liberties with this).

As for the reason for returning to work which a poster questioned - why shouldn’t I? I have every right to work, to take pride on doing a job well, challenging myself to learn new skills, to use my brain, and gaining financial independence. A job to me is not a ‘side hustle’ as a pp mentioned. I’m a person before I’m a mother and I have every right to participate in a full working life, just like any other member of society, and not viewed with suspicion that I’m lazy and this job will just be a ‘side hustle.’ I’m sorry but I find this opinion offensive.

Thank you to all who provided helpful feedback.

Ignore the hustle nonsense!

@Movetothebeat

Thanks for the feedback all, and I have noted the particularly helpful areas to look at like CS, NHS etc and Future Learn.

It is demoralising to be told that being late 40’s and/or a parent means I’m likely to be disregarded despite anything else I may have to offer.

I think it’s something like nearly 80% of women in the UK will have children and employers should be well used to parents, usually the mothers, having to leave early to pick up sick children from school/nursery. I worked for 20 years after leaving University and no one batted an eyelid when this happened (of course some colleagues complained but most accepted that this is part of life). Of course it’s not ideal when there is a job to be done but if you want to value your employees then being a bit family friendly goes a long way towards staff loyalty and employee retention. (Btw I’m not talking about those that take liberties with this).

As for the reason for returning to work which a poster questioned - why shouldn’t I? I have every right to work, to take pride on doing a job well, challenging myself to learn new skills, to use my brain, and gaining financial independence. A job to me is not a ‘side hustle’ as a pp mentioned. I’m a person before I’m a mother and I have every right to participate in a full working life, just like any other member of society, and not viewed with suspicion that I’m lazy and this job will just be a ‘side hustle.’ I’m sorry but I find this opinion offensive.

Thank you to all who provided helpful feedback.

But you’re applying for school admin jobs. Which isn’t a ‘full working life’, it’s a job that fits around kids and is crazy competitive for a reason. Your SAHM status makes no difference here, in fact the majority of competition will be people EXACTLY like you. Your question isn’t ‘why won’t people hire me’ but ‘how can I beat all these other SAHM/‘family focused’/ etc people.

If you wanted a proper FT job then the advice would be different. You need to be targeting sector, match your skills etc etc.

What do you actually want OP?

Also I understand that you may be spooked by everyone complaining about how hard it is to return to work, etc etc. Don’t be put off by that.

Generally speaking someone who’s been out of the workforce for X years can’t expect to return to the same level immediately. Unless there’s great demand for their skills. It doesn’t mean that NOBODY will hire you. It’s also selection bias. Those unemployed will complain, those who have quietly succeeded aren’t going to be starting lots of threads now are they?

The important thing is put yourself in a employer’s shoes, target your sector, network etc and get the skills you need. If you have a good attitude, learn more stuff you’ll make it. Might not be easy but you’ll get there eventually. It’s a great time to be re-entering the workforce, markets’ booming and flexible work policies etc are popular.

I think it’s something like nearly 80% of women in the UK will have children and employers should be well used to parents, usually the mothers, having to leave early to pick up sick children from school/nursery.

But nowhere near those 80% will have dc who need to be picked up from school of Nursery if ill. I count as one of the 80% who is a parent, but my dc are adults. You are playing with numbers to suit your narrative there.
Plus, if you believe that "usually the mothers" are picking up children unwell at Nursery, then that isn't doing yourself any favours. dc have 2 parents.

I'd say being in 40s gives any woman an advantage in the employment market - still got 20 - 25 years to work. Come with experience built in, and not likely to be expecting 'allowances' because you are a parent.

@LegMeChicken it’s a coincidence that the 3 roles I applied for were in schools. One was part-time and the other two full-time. I’m not specifically looking for a school job at all.

Yes, there is often super high competition for school jobs.

Don’t think 80% of working age women in the UK have DC. And the issue isn’t that you had DC it’s the 7 year break from paid work.

[quote Movetothebeat]@LegMeChicken it’s a coincidence that the 3 roles I applied for were in schools. One was part-time and the other two full-time. I’m not specifically looking for a school job at all.[/quote]
In that case you probably need a broader consideration.
There are programme for female returners, programmes to get into tech for career changers (check out code first girls!).

If you’re just applying for admin jobs because you think nobody else will hire you, think again. It’s how you present your skills. This is out of scope, so feel free to start another thread if you need some ideas

Btw people who work flexibly, have commitments are often better employees. They work efficiently, don’t waste time and more importantly are loyal once they’ve found an org that suits them.

Also to add OP I don’t mean to be rude about your choices, but you did say you’re overqualified! I’m just giving a different perspective on the value of returners.
Obviously not everyone was a great employee before SAHP. But people are grateful for the opportunity, to be treated like adults and trusted to manage their work.

There’s give and take - I have the mobile numbers of all my teammates and one call would get them all online. They know I’d never do it unless absolutely necessary. And in low times they can have a long lunch etc or more time off if they want. We trust each other

There's more flexible officey type roles than you imagine, probably. Repeating myself but get yourself active on LinkedIn- it's where recruiters hang out and you need to be seen. You can post things that show your skill and personality

I think it’s something like nearly 80% of women in the UK will have children and employers should be well used to parents, usually the mothers, having to leave early to pick up sick children from school/nursery.

This is quite bothersome tbh. 80% of women have children? Then knock off sahm, mum's that can't work (or work very limited hours) due to their own disabilities or being carers, those that have kids but don't do a school run (I have an 11 & 18 year old no school run here) etc and then what percentage are you looking at?

I fully believe where possible flexible working should be the norm. However, it shouldn't be the normal so that working mums can do the school run. Parents need to do the school run or use childcare. Flexible working should be available for everyone, even those without kids, where possible.

When you talk about leaving to do the school run, you mean work part time? Because who is having the kids before and after school, if your job allows you to nip out and do the school run? Who is getting them ready and caring for them after?

Its ok being flexible and allowing this, but not if you can't work effectively before the drop off and after the pick up then there's a problem.

An employer should never be used to mothers nipping out for school runs. Why would the onus be on mums, if both parents are working?

Look for companies that specifically mention returners. And join up to this organisation, they send free emails showing returner programmes and have tips on CV's etc

womenreturners.com/

@Turningpurple I don’t want to be able to do the school run? Of course a full-time employee can’t expect to stroll off to do the school run - you must have reliable childcare in place. Child sickness is different - no one but the parents will be picking a sick child up from school/nursery because no childcare provider wants a sick child spreading their D&V bugs etc amongst the other children in their care. It is this instance that I was referring to, just generally speaking and in no way related to myself and expectations.

Don’t give up. Every sahm I knew is now back in the workforce. One was headhunted in the playground and ended up sitting with the CEO who basically took her advice on everything so she went from running the school fair to running a business.

I think it’s something like nearly 80% of women in the UK will have children and employers should be well used to parents, usually the mothers, having to leave early to pick up sick children from school/nursery

Why is it usually mothers? This is part of the problem with the working environment, mothers are expected to do the bulk of the childcare, so employers are reluctant because they think they’ll be nipping out for school plays, school run etc.

Dh and I shared schools runs. Every single time dh said he would be leaving early/arriving late or whatever? He was asked “can’t your wife do it”.

Employers need to start normalising men’s responsibility for child care as well.

[quote Movetothebeat]@Turningpurple I don’t want to be able to do the school run? Of course a full-time employee can’t expect to stroll off to do the school run - you must have reliable childcare in place. Child sickness is different - no one but the parents will be picking a sick child up from school/nursery because no childcare provider wants a sick child spreading their D&V bugs etc amongst the other children in their care. It is this instance that I was referring to, just generally speaking and in no way related to myself and expectations.[/quote]
But again, why mothers?

Why should anyone get uses to mothers leaving work?

I have known quite a few long term SAHMs go back to work in childcare settings or social care.
Their previous experience was out of date and they didn’t want to update their training.
It all depends what type of job you’re looking for. After 7-10 years out I would expect to return to the same level as before.

I wouldn’t expect to return to the same level as before.

I quite agree with you. Sadly equality has a long way to go in some respects.

Get sone temp work - recent experience tick!
Have you tried universities? If you live near one you can pick up temp work, short term contracts etc to pick up experience

I do employ good administrators (bit difficult for the more tech roles I have on my teams) who are SAHM , I'd much rather someone with experience than someone with a degree or PhD just wanting a foot-in as they usually struggle with admin as it's not enough to say you've done a PhD theses and lab books etc

Many sahm go back into employment.

But to be honest, you’ve been out seven years, applying to schools, ( even though you say co incidental) and doing the pta and scouts. To be honest I’d think you were jist looking to get something to occupy yourself when the kids were at school. Volunteering is a great way to start, but maybe make it less “mummy “ related, and also focus on how you can upgrade your skills Ie online courses etc,

Something like I work in a food bank, or I work in a charity shop , can show transferable skills and willingness to work, and by skills I mean systems, people skills etc. The pta and scouts can seem more about benefitting your kids and spending time with your mates

@Movetothebeat

I quite agree with you. Sadly equality has a long way to go in some respects.

But it's not improved with the expectation that employers get 'used to mums having to go get kids'.