Restarting a career after taking time off to raise a family

by Alison
(USA)

What advice do you have for me? I was an IT software development project manager for 7 years, and I have 10 years of business experience all together. I have been at home raising children for 16 years. I'm ready to go back to work. I am willing to take a "foot in the door" type of position in a company with growth opportunities, where my company will get a very well-qualified person maybe one rung lower than I was, and in return I get the opportunity to prove myself to them, minimizing the risk they may feel I pose. I have moved to a different state since my last job but I do have excellent references and excellent recent volunteer work references. Should I mention the time raising children in my cover letter? Should I include the years since they are more than 10 years old? Should I mention I will take something below the level I was before I had kids? Right now I'm sending out resumes and cover letters but I'm not getting any calls to interview. Thanks.

Response from Carl: Thanks Alison. I understand your challenge especially in IT which is such a fast-changing business!

To start with, I'd suggest finding a few good IT recruiters in your area who might help. Perhaps after meeting with them and having them see you in person, they'll be able to act as an advocate for you with some of their clients and help to "sell" them on the idea of giving you a chance.

Use your references if possible too. Perhaps you can speak with references and enquire about opportunities they might know about either within their company or among their peer group. In other words, networking is another way to get your name out there.

Think about attending actual networking events too especially ones focused on IT. These can be a great way to get your name out there and to expand your network.

I think you have the right attitude and expectations from what you write. Certainly you'd probably like to not have to start over again but perhaps if you could get your foot in the door, you can prove yourself and quickly work your way back up the ladders. You'll notice that I didn't suggest scouring the Internet job boards to find a new job. I'm not saying they can't help but given your situation your best bet is probably the personal approach: getting your face and name in front of as many real people as possible to help them learn about you and your personality and skillset and not leaving it up to the very impersonal Internet job boards to.

Carl