Author Topic: Becoming a SAHD - Resume Gap Concerns  (Read 2779 times)

Platypuses

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Becoming a SAHD - Resume Gap Concerns
« on: January 11, 2019, 07:37:43 AM »

In a few months I plan to quit my job to become a stay at home dad (4 kids - between 4 mos and 7yo). The plan is to try it out for at least the next year and a half, and possibly much longer. My biggest worry about leaving is the feasibility of returning to the workforce with a large gap on my resume. I am a chemical engineer with 6 years of experience. Any recommendations to remain a desirable hire to future employers? One idea was to work on a masters, but I really don't want to go back to school or spend the money on a degree.

Thanks!

Sibley

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Re: Becoming a SAHD - Resume Gap Concerns
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2019, 08:12:30 AM »
Go look at Askamanager.org's archives. She's give very good work advice, and has I'm sure addressed this.

Jon Bon

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Re: Becoming a SAHD - Resume Gap Concerns
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2019, 11:42:53 AM »
Yup, Currently a SAHD. Been  on the bench 2.5 years.

Thinking of getting back out there in 2019. Threw out a few resumes got decent responses. I mean at this point we have experience and contacts you know? Job markets great and I am not looking to get "The Dream Job" Just a decent job with decent bennies. For me the rate of pay is about 3 or 4 on the list.

So far I have had good responses, and feed back, so I am not concerned at all. Maybe 4-5 years on the bench you might start to get stale? I have also done some serious volunteering and side business that help fill in the gaps.

Good luck.

mozar

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Re: Becoming a SAHD - Resume Gap Concerns
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2019, 12:24:12 PM »
Do you want to be able to go back to the same level where you left off or are you flexible? If you were away 5 years you could get the masters in the 6th year and then look for a job.

frugaliknowit

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Re: Becoming a SAHD - Resume Gap Concerns
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2019, 02:14:16 PM »
Not to be a "buzz kill", but I wouldn't do it.

A long time ago, I left a job to sell real estate (to "try it").  Did so for 5 years, then tried to return to my field.  No one really cared what I did 5 years ago and having been a realtor for 5 years was the equivalent of doing nothing.

socaso

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Re: Becoming a SAHD - Resume Gap Concerns
« Reply #5 on: January 11, 2019, 02:18:45 PM »
I really know nothing about chemical engineering so this may be a terrible suggestion but I wonder if you could try to get some freelance gigs here and there just to have freelancing experience on your resume? There are a number of freelancing websites for all kinds of work, I don't know if there might be something for you. That way even if you only took a couple of jobs a year you still appear to be active in the field.

partdopy

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Re: Becoming a SAHD - Resume Gap Concerns
« Reply #6 on: January 11, 2019, 02:25:53 PM »
Could you just take one class per semester and say you were 'seeking a degree' if you decide to re-enter the workforce in a year or two?

Maenad

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Re: Becoming a SAHD - Resume Gap Concerns
« Reply #7 on: January 11, 2019, 04:08:40 PM »
What industry are you in? Are there any professional organizations you could join? They often have seminars and such so that you could keep up on advances until you go back, and you could network with other professionals in the industry to help maintain contacts, maybe even do a contract once in a while to keep your skills up.

MayDay

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Re: Becoming a SAHD - Resume Gap Concerns
« Reply #8 on: January 11, 2019, 07:47:10 PM »
I took off 6 years of chemical engineering.

I started subbing chemistry and math. Eventually got a PT chemE job through a connection. Then a full time job at a competitive salary. I left with 4 years experience and a salary of 77k. Came back PT at 65k FTE and then less than a year later, 92k, so a good bit above my departing salary (but probably about even considering inflation).

It wasn't easy. I spent a long time just getting technician offers. A lot depends on the job market. Where I first lived, there wasn't much. Where we live now there are tons of options for contract to maybe hire positions so I think it would be a lot easier to get back in, as you can always work for Aerotek for a year to get fresh work on your resume.

Returnships are also exploding in popularity. Check out SWE's website- they list participating companies. See if there are any in your area. They aren't just for women.
« Last Edit: January 11, 2019, 07:49:40 PM by MayDay »

Freedom2016

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Re: Becoming a SAHD - Resume Gap Concerns
« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2019, 05:54:17 PM »
I don't know your field, and I'm sure this varies by discipline...but as a potential encouragement, my DH was a SAHP for 5+ years. He didn't do any freelancing or take classes or anything. I was worried about how hard it might be for him to re-enter the workforce.

During the interviewing phase, he got maybe one question about his resume gap, and ultimately landed a higher profile job making 30k more/yr than when he left the workforce.

Good luck!

trollwithamustache

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Re: Becoming a SAHD - Resume Gap Concerns
« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2019, 08:29:45 AM »
Do you have a license? can you consult?  Seriously, you don't have to be a successful consultant, you just need t work a couple hundred hours  a year to keep the resume going continuously. 

Officially, there are no positions to support this. Yet push came to shove, and I know a lot of women chemE's doing this after having kids.

catccc

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Re: Becoming a SAHD - Resume Gap Concerns
« Reply #11 on: January 14, 2019, 10:38:14 AM »
I was a SAHP for a year.  Jumping right back in was no problem.  I took consulting work initially, and then said during interviews that I was ready to join the workforce, but kept up my skills by consulting some during my time off.  Nobody asked me if I took a year off and then consulted for the last 2 months.  And this is on a job hopper resume, with 5 jobs in 5 years before I took the time off.  And it was 2009/2010 when I was trying to get back to work.  IDK if you remember, but the economy was in the toilet.  No prob.  Consulted for 2-3 months and landed a permanent position.  Do it.

maginvizIZ

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Re: Becoming a SAHD - Resume Gap Concerns
« Reply #12 on: January 14, 2019, 01:50:58 PM »
Very interesting to hear all of this.  I'm thinking of taking a break, simply because I don't enjoy work (corp. finance).

I asked about resume gap concerns in reddit (r/financialindependence), and they all told me to not do it.  Looks like most people here are telling you to do it. Interesting.

Good luck on your decision!  I say go for it :)