Re-entering the workforce after a long absence

[Deleted]

Since our move, I have been toying with the idea of getting a "real" job. I have been freelancing (I have my own business as a graphic designer and work for a variety of clients) full-time for the past 7 years; I left my last job (doing what I do not but for an educational institution) around this time in 2007. My freelance business is a success and has always been profitable; I make about what I did at my last full time job but working part time.

That said, I'm a little bit tired of some of the nastier aspects of freelancing, like having to do invoicing and bookkeeping and chase after clients that haven't paid their bills. I also am a little bit burned out on balancing work with being a de facto SAHM (I work while DD2 naps). It's really tiring and the idea of having an actual job to go to during the day, where I can focus solely on my work, and then coming home in the evenings to focus solely on my family has some serious appeal. (I know the work/life line gets blurred sometimes but it can't possibly be more blurred than it is now!) The idea of having a little more structure to my day and a more constant stream of work instead of feast or famine is attractive, too. The reduction in flexibility/vacation time, plus having to coordinate childcare for DD2, is the obvious downside. I am not sure I would make more money at a full-time job than I do now anyway--at least not after paying for a nanny or daycare for DD2 and extra hours in preschool for DD1.

I haven't applied to a job, brushed up my resume, prepared a portfolio, etc. etc. etc. in over 8 years at this point so I feel like I am really far out of the game. I also haven't interviewed or pursued a whole lot of professional development/membership in professional organizations in the past 7 years because my clients have been steady and loyal and they really only care about my deliverables (and those are great).

Has anyone else gone back to work after a similar absence? Where can I go to brush up on all of my dead interviewing/resume writing skills? Am I crazy to give up the gig I have in favor of more hours and probably less pay (at least on an hourly basis)? I'm not really sure what information I am after--I am hoping hearing some personal experiences will help me decide whether a more traditional job is the right path for me or if I should stay on the one I'm on.

[charlotteandwilbur]

I freelanced full time for six years and loved it, but had many of the same reservations you do about the feast or famine aspect, working with difficult clients, getting paid, etc.

I interviewed and was able to get a full time job from one of my biggest freelance clients, which was a really fortunate opportunity. On my resume, instead of focusing on prior work history, I spotlighted some of my biggest, brand-name clients and various work that I had done. (I think I called this section "Selected Clients" or something like that).

I do think my salary offer was a bit lower than what it would have been if I'd stayed employed that whole time, but I am working on making up the difference.

I don't think it's uncommon for creative types to have this work history (I'm a writer/editor and no one batted an eye), so I wouldn't worry about being looked down upon for freelancing all this time.

[Deleted]

Is there any way you could farm out some of the accounting/bill collecting?
Are they any coworking options for you to "go to work" to continue freelancing? (this is the thing here I'm thinking of, as I'm aware "coworking" is a crazy hipster term thetwotwenty.ca/#/coworkyxe/)

Both those things would cut into your profits, though, I know. Personally, I adore the predictability of regular, full time work and won't likely leave until I'm pensioned. I grew up with farming parents, which is like the epitome of work/life crossover. It was nice in some ways and terrible in many others.

[soso]

Askamanager.com is a great resource. So is the human workplace.

[drloretta]

I was a SAHM for 4 years while "freelancing" for my old company. I went back into the workforce in June out of financial necessity. I miss being a SAHM and plan to go back to it as soon as it's financially feasible. I also hate my job. For now I'm using it as a stepping stone for a WAH position

[nannersp]

Sept 29, 2014 20:02:48 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

I think nannersp just went back to work after being a SAHM for a few years. 

Yup, this is my third week back at FT work after essentially being a SAHM for 5 years. I did do some various freelancing/contract work along the way, but nothing FT, in an office since 2009. 

I had opportunities to turn some of my contract work into more solid, part-time stuff (like 25 hours a week) and even up to FT if I wanted, but it would've been working remotely from my house, which I was tired of doing. 

I like being able to go to work, do my job, and then leave it all behind when I walk out. I don't like feeling "on" all the time when working from home. I'm also a social gal and like being with a team. 

I was worried about being a desirable candidate, but I talked to some HR folks/recruiters that I know, and they said that the freelance work I did over the years showed that I was current enough. And my guess is that my freelance stuff isn't nearly as frequent or prolific as the work you've done, so I bet you'd be just fine. 

I hired a resume gal to help me rework my resume and package the random work I'd done while I wasn't FT. I also had her update my LinkedIn, which was great. Happy to pass her info on to you, if you're interested. 

When I started really looking, I mentioned it on Facebook, although I was hesitant because it's such a casual place. However, I have a ton of great connections through my "friends" there. I had a few people reach out with opportunities that might've been a good fit for me. As luck would have it, my old colleague saw my post. She's now running my old office and had a position open up literally the day before I posted. It's probably not as much as I could be making elsewhere, but the perks are great. My schedule is flexible, especially if I need it to be for family stuff, I knew what kind of boss I was getting going in, everyone can work from home once a week if they want, and my office is just a mile away. If I didn't have to deal with picking my girls up from school/daycare, I'd totally walk there.  

Sometimes I miss being home with my toddler, but she's SO happy at her daycare. (She's in the toddler room of my eldest's old preschool.) She happily yells "BYE!" when we drop her off, and she's happy when I pick her up, sometimes even hesitant to leave because she's having so much fun. All the daily reports talk about how happy she is and how much fun she has participating in all the class activities. 

Sorry for the novel, but hopefully that helps! Happy to answer any questions you might have.

[barefootcontessa]

I think the flexibility of freelancing will be more helpful once your children are school age. The best time of day I have with my kids is immediately after school. Once we hit dinner time, everyone starts getting cranky and hungry and then it is time to prep for the next day. Bedtime routine starts at 7:00pm here, as my kids need to be at school by 7:45am, so there is not a lot of time in the afternoons. Have you thought about hiring some help during the day so you can have some free time in the evening? I think I might try that first before giving up your clients.

[leonard131]

No advice about going from freelancing to FT but what barefootcontessa said resonated.  Working full time I am constantly hearing that it only gets harder when kids are in school because their schedule can be so crazy with school closings, holidays, summer break and wanting to be part of school events.   It sounds like being a freelancer could allow you to be able to juggle these things a little easier as your kids get older.

Could you treat your freelancing job more like a FT job?  Meaning set up childcare for a certian amount of time during the week, have "office hours", hire someone to help with billing?  This may also give the opportunity to grow your business if you wanted.

[sweetiesparkles]

I was almost an exclusive SAHM from September 08 (The recession!) until September 2014 (this month.)

I took a part time "sales job" that actually is an Administrative Assistant type job that I hate. I hate going to work and coming home at 5:30 3 days a week. We like having extra spending money but I am really paid very little.

If I were you, I'd hire out accounting, etc. and continue to grow your freelance. Working somewhere may be nice for a few weeks but then you may miss the flexibility of being able to be at home.

I cannot wait to quit where I'm at now.

[Deleted]

I'm a freelancer (have been since DS1 was born 5 years ago) and used a resume writing service to apply for an amazing job that came up at DH's company earlier this year. It was well worth the money.

I didn't get the job but I did get an interview. Plus, the process of reviewing my work history and freelance assignments with an HR professional really boosted my confidence.

If I were in your situation I would run the numbers on hiring out book keeping, getting a bit of daycare and working in a coshare space. Perhaps one, or all, of these options would make your work week less stressful.

[whitepicketfence]

I went back to work PT in May 2013 after being a SAHM for 3 years. I applied for various jobs during that time but none of them panned out for one reason or another. The nice part is that I was able to be picky about what jobs I applied to and only did so for those that I was really interested in.

I knew that I really wanted to work for a specific company and applied to any and every position there that I was even remotely qualified for. I did take me awhile, but I ultimately ended up getting hired there. The job is extremely flexible and pays well for what I do. I make much less now than when I was working FT but I expected that going in. I also had to start out in an entry level role but I've had a lot of great opportunities for advancement arise since I started.

Now that my kids are getting older, I'm not sure that I could handle working FT. I feel like I'm already pushed to the limit between their school and other activities. We're pretty much always on the go.

[Deleted]

I was off for 4 years and did not do any work while I was off. When I devuded to go back I started networking a lot, contacting people I hadn't spoken with in 4 years. Looking for a job was a 20-30 hours a week i would guess. I am in an in demand field though and had no trouble finding a job but I don''t know your field.

If I were you I'd stick to freelancing biut turn it into a full job with daycare included. Hire a bookkeeper to do your accounting, etc. it's hard to be both a SAHM and a WAHM. And you will miss the flexibility you have now.

[Deleted]

Thanks guys. For various reasons hiring a bookkeeper/getting work space/getting childcare isn't something I am looking to do at this time--I have thought a lot about all those things at different stages of my career, and right now I think my best choices are to keep on with what I am doing or look for full time employment. I'm not sure at all what I'm going to do but there is some great food for thought here, so thanks!