I am starting this blog to hopefully help at least one other person make money. I’m determined to be financially independent after being a stay at home mom for 16 YEARS! However, reentering the job market after being gone for so long has been rather difficult. While I didn’t expect it to be easy, I didn’t expect it to be this hard either.
My journey started by applying, on Indeed, to anything and everything that looked like it would hire a mid-40’s woman who hasn’t worked in nearly two decades. I also had zero current references. It was a big ask, but I did get hired at a few places: one being temp agency, another was a caregiving job and finally a position as a security guard.
The caregiver position lasted one shift and when I told them I couldn’t commit to working every weekend, they stopped contacting me.
Moving on to the temp job. This one has been the most lucrative for me. Also, I love the flexibility of being able to choose when and where I work. I need to be able to pick up my daughter from school most days. My two kids are teens, but they go to different schools in different districts. I’m responsible for picking my daughter up. On occasion, she will find a ride if there’s a job I want to work.
This is where the fake it till you make it part comes into play. I don’t want to advocate lying, but I do think it’s ok to embellish your skills when looking for a job. Pretty much anyone can work as a server or barista with a temp agency. It’s not rocket science. A temp agency is likely to never check your references, so pick a restaurant and a coffee shop and say you worked there for a year or two. You’ll be fine with 1-2 minutes of YouTubing “how to barista” or “How to work as a banquet server?”
For the record, I do have experience serving, but it wouldn’t matter. Being a waitress in a restaurant is quite different than working catered events. Being a cater waiter is far easier work, but it is typically a lot of hours on your feet. You’ll also be working with a variety of personalities. The most difficult part of the job is navigating the other workers. Keep your head down, do your work and try your best to stay out of the drama. Many of the people working likely can’t hold regular jobs. Don’t take what they say personally. It’s not you, I promise.
Reentering The Workforce 