I had to decide to voluntarily leave my career of 10 years, because of schedule changes and could not afford additional caregivers to cover. In the 3.5 years of care-giving, I let some of my personal responsibilities go, like paying my bills on time verifying bank balances and bouncing checks. This caused my credit history to be down graded severly. Also being out of regular work for over 6 months made HR screeners drop my applications becasue of no current work history. If I did get a response and a credit check was performed I did not hear anything more from the opportunity.
How can a person be forth coming and let a potential HR screener know this and not be a derogatory/negative representation for a job?
I am sure that I am not the only one that has seen this issue. I have asked a few HR professionals, but none of them want to take a position on this and actually let you know that this bias exists in the career hunting fields.
I thought we were all humans trying to get along...the best we know how and can???
I actually dealt with this situation as well. While caring for my dad in my home I did volunteer work twice a week not just to get out of the house but to increase my own self-worth and so I could someday put it on a resume. My finances were the exact opposite from yours. I rented a house I couldn't afford in order to care for my dad so we were roommates financially and so if I came up short one month he helped me out in exchange for my not working and caring for him. My credit was never better, lol! But he had a health emergency and ended up in a NH. I had to move and fast because I couldn't afford that house on my own. So with no job lined up I found a new place to call home and once I got settled I ran around town looking for a job. I work in healthcare and I'm lucky that there are always available jobs in that field. On an actual application it usually asks you to explain any gaps in employment history and I practiced explaining why I was out of the work force for so long. I practiced what I wanted to write because I wanted to sound intelligent, not get too personal, and I wanted to be brief but be able to thoroughly explain my hiatus. And then on my actual resume I wrote pretty much the same thing. I just put it out there. I interviewed for several positions and my gap in my employment history was never really discussed. I think it was because I was upfront about it and explained the reason why. It's not uncommon nowadays for people to re-enter the workforce after having cared for an aging parent.
Maybe, if you have any time cushion before you have to get a paying job, you could get a volunteer position doing work in the area you want to get a job in, so you have something more to put on your resume. I have read that volunteer work often leads to someone hiring you because they get to know you as you do the volunteer work and they like what they see in you.
Anyway, just brainstorming with you as I have been thinking along the same lines as you are. Hope this is helpful.
I was even able to get a part-time job in HR where I picked my days and hours. Jobs like this are VERY rare in HR. I got the job through another temporary job agency. They knew my work through some temporary assignments and recommended me for the job. That job lasted for 3 years as my husband's condition progressed and was finally diagnosed (Lewy Body Dementia). Then I got a job teaching HR courses online. Currently, I am in "early retirement," because I'm trying to protect my health and survive caregiving.
As an HR professional, I also agree with a lot of the other advice here, such as listing your caregiving as a job and doing volunteer work to strengthen your resume (also a foot in door).
I've hired people who had unusual circumstances, but they had a good strong work history prior to the iffy part. There are those of us, in the HR profession, who have a heart and have also had some rough times. You only have to find one of them, so keep trying and keep a positive attitude. There is nothing worse than to be negative or complain in an interview, and yes, people do that and then wonder why they can't get a job. I'm not saying you do that, but sometimes people don't realize they come across that way. Be the positive, "can do" person, they will want as an employee.
Final thought, we all have experience now as caregivers, and there will always be caregiving jobs, and some types of jobs and employers have high turnover, so they may not be as picky about job history. So again, find one, just one, and stay there a couple of years to re-establish your work history.
Maybe you are looking for a job in a field that does not resonate with your caregiving experience. At least for a short term to be able to have a paying job on your resume and to get acclimated to working outside the home again, you might look for a job in a field that values empathy and sensitivity to others' needs, but does not require specialized education or training. Teacher's aides, especially in special education, in-home caregiving, tutoring (you may have some area of education that would be useful). Or work that requires a lot of adaptability and flexibility, problem-solving skills, etc.
You might look into a temp agency. I am looking into working for an internet-based company called "TaskRabbits" when I need to do "real work" again or when I can get my mom into an adult day care a couple days a week and would be able to work outside the home on a part time basis. (I don't know if it's ok to mention names here. I am not promoting the company, I am just mentioning it as it seems to be an interesting resource to look into for anyone in the difficult job search situation. I'm sure there are other companies like this; this is the only one I know the name of). You submit a profile of your skills and types of "tasks" you would like to do, and your availability and how much you would charge for your work. They do a background check and if you're accepted they post your profile. You would be considered an independent consultant. Their customers (whose backgrounds are also checked) post detailed descriptions of tasks they want performed, and the time frame. You can bid on tasks or the company can match you up. There is a huge range of tasks requested from simple to high tech and highly specialized. Tasks can be one-time jobs or repeating and can lead to full-time employment. Customers and task rabbits rate and review each other on the website, and if the customer likes your work, they can request you for future tasks.
Anyway, just another resource for someone who is "between jobs" and having trouble finding full-time employment, and it has the best of both worlds, the freedom and flexibility of being self-employed and the structure, resources and accountability of working for a company.
Madeaa, never say never. I laughed when I read your last comment. I say that all the time when people tell me that I now have caregiving background. I never wanted to be a nurse and now forced to be my parent's caregiver. I worry that my "NEVER" will one day come back at me. =(
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