WOMEN RETURNING TO THE WORK FORCE

The biggest problems women face when returning to the work force are a lack of self-esteem and a belief that what they’ve done for the last several years is not valued in the workplace. To overcome these twin problems you must first recognize that you possess numerous transferable skills that are valued in many types of positions.

If you lack confidence in your marketability or your job finding ability, begin looking for a career planning and job finding program at a community college, or consider obtaining help from a career counselor. Also look for a support group made up of women who are returning to work or look for a broader-based support group that the local YWCA or some similar organization may have. If you are divorced or widowed, or must become the primary wage earner, you will probably qualify for a “displaced homemakers” program. Such programs are often available at low cost through community colleges and can really help women get through an emotionally trying period. They typically provide career exploration assistance, job finding guidance, and emotional support.

Even though you have not worked for several years, make the most out of whatever paid work experience you do have. Scour each job to find whatever results and contributions you may have had, even if it was 20 years ago. Establishing the fact that you have been a good employee in the past, even 20 years ago, will effectively convince employers that you have a strong work ethic.

Those who have been out of the work force for many years must often emphasize their volunteer experience. In actuality, volunteer activities are merely jobs you didn’t get paid to do. They can be as mundane as licking stamps or as interesting and challenging as organizing a blood donor drive, or handling public relations for a small nonprofit organization. If you consistently spent ten or more hours weekly on a volunteer position, treat it as a job with a job title and a job description, with results included. In the resume there is no need to state the number of hours spent weekly. If an employer is curious you can explain in the interview. If most of your volunteer activities were of short duration, you could treat them as projects (see Special Projects page 43). Concentrate on results, but also describe duties.

Make the most out of each activity. If you held an office, say so. If you obtained excellent results, describe them. Don’t be modest.

How good a position you get depends on the quality of your resume and how well focused you are. There is probably no need to return to school for a degree, but you may need to study your preferred field on your own or take a few classes at your local community college. Study enough to know the terms, history, and trends in your field.

I’ve included Sharron’s resume because it is so strong in the volunteer area. Don’t be intimidated by it. You may not have been as active or may not have had such quantifiable results, but it shows what can be done.

Administrative Assistant Helvetica

SHARRON COSGRAVE

526 South State Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19803

(302) 543‑9161

(objective unstated, but basically looking to become an administrative assistant to a director of a nonprofit agency)

QUALIFICATIONS

Strong experience in developing effective new programs, motivating and coordinating large numbers of volunteers, and making office systems more efficient.

Excellent fund-raiser. Have written three successful grant proposals, one of which was funded for $20,000. Through PTA fund-raising activities, increased revenue 18% above the previous record.

EDUCATION

University of Delaware, Liberal Arts, 96 credits, 1970 to 1973

PROJECTS/ACTIVITIES

PTA President, Robert Frost Elementary, 1998/99. Increased attendance at monthly meetings from 51 to an average of 92. Worked with principal and teachers to develop five new volunteer programs for parents. Participation in programs increased from 26% of parents to 58%. Because of active parent involvement, vandalism at the school decreased to almost zero.

Fund-raising Chairperson, Robert Frost PTA, 1996/97. Coordinated the efforts of over 400 children and 95 adults in six fund-raising activities. Exceeded the previous record by 18%.

Board Member, Wilmington Crisis Clinic, 1989 to Present. Analyze and approve annual budgets, interview and select new directors, and study proposed program changes. President of the board 1992 and 1993. Wrote grant proposal which obtained $20,000 in federal funds.

President, Wilmington Chapter, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers), 1988 to 1991. Organized the local chapter and tripled dues‑paying membership each year. Testified as an expert witness before the Delaware Legislature. Coordinated statewide lobbying efforts and helped pass legislation which significantly strengthened laws against drunk driving.

EMPLOYMENT

McClinton, Brandeis & Nelson, Wilmington, Delaware 1973 to 1975

Office Manager ‑ Handled bookkeeping, payroll, bank statements, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. Purchased office equipment and supplies. Greeted clients, answered phones, scheduled court reporters for depositions, and developed an improved appointment and court scheduling system for 8 attorneys.

The next resume is perhaps more typical of a woman returning to work. Janice has had two part-time jobs since she got married. In 1999 she decided to return to work on a full-time basis. From her experience at Debbie’s Designs (four years, part-time) she knows she would like to own her own shop someday. Her plan is to get a full-time retail sales job at a small but classy store and eventually become the manager or assistant manager. While working there she intends to learn the business inside and out so she’ll be ready when she opens her own shop.

Janice Stevens

4060 W. Warwick

Chicago, IL 60626

(312) 476‑2917

OBJECTIVE: Retail sales

QUALIFICATIONS

Excellent retail experience. Work very effectively with customers ‑ able to identify needs, tactfully answer questions, sell products, and solve problems.

EDUCATION

Northeastern Illinois University, Psychology, 20 credits 1987 to 1990

Bates Community College, Liberal Arts, 42 credits 1974 to 1976

WORKSHOPS

Window Dressing, Retail Merchants Association, 12 class hours (1998)

Retail Bookkeeping, Retail Merchants Association, 24 class hours (1997)

Retail Selling/Know Your Customer, Retail Merchants Association, 20 class hours (1996)

EMPLOYMENT

Debbie’s Designs, Chicago, IL 2/95 to 4/99

Retail Sales ‑ Consulted with customers in the selection and coordination of furniture, fabrics, carpeting, wallpaper, draperies, and gift items. Purchased and priced products and developed attractive displays. Functioned as store manager for extended periods when the store owner was on vacation.

Illinois Arts & Crafts Association, Chicago, IL 9/78 to 8/83

Gallery Assistant ‑ Assisted customers in the purchase of art objects, explained the processes used by each artist, and trained and supervised other volunteers. Handled numerous details for the annual arts and crafts fair, including registering artists, judging art work, and overseeing sales and bookkeeping.