How to Return to the Workforce in This Economy

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I can relate to Suzanne as I, too, am 55 am looking for work after being off 12 years to raise my kids. I really didn't have much choice but to take off because of medical and subsequent edicational needs of one of my sons. And I will soon be a single mom to 2 teen boys because my marriage failed with the stresses. I must work! I was employed by a mjr eng firm for over 20 yrs and very highly tho't of. Technological advancements have drastically changed the way of doing business. I taught myself MS programs and used them extensively thru home and volunteer work, but prospective employers want to see "job" experience. Re-training takes months and money if you can find the classes you need. So it's tough already and the poor jobs market makes it tougher.

Sandy of TX 7:47PM July 04, 2010

Start your own business.
A female-owned business.
Hate to say it, but new moms who took little time off, had a kid, and then immediately returned to the workforce are still up-to-date on skills.
Also, there are many many more single women who need the better positions, financially, a whole lot more than some households where one parent holds a well-paying job. Out of fairness during the recession, those who need the work the most should get it first.
Of course, interviewers cannot ask that stuff beforehand, but it's obvious if someone comes in and says "I took time off for my kid" that there may be another income in the household. A single mother in need of an income to support two people or a single without children just plain need the jobs MORE.
Those with a wealthy spouse to help out financially, yet who want the satisfaction of doing something other than having "mom brain" all day long should become a Mom-preneur and start a woman-owned business already, instead of expecting others to be counted upon to hire them back (after 8 years, or so, out of the workforce).
Imagine! Mom-preneurs everywhere could hire each other and run an entire business out of multiple, high-tech networked homes, via Web-X, or some other service to connect business professionals across time zones.
Do it!
http://www.ladieswholaunch.com

A suggestion of IL 4:35PM July 01, 2010