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I give up. I have been a stay at home mom for over 15 years, raised my kids and am now looking for part time work to get me out of the house and to make some pocket money. I have applied at so many places, not even a phone call. I get it, I haven't worked in over 15 years but that doesn't mean I'm unemployable does it? What exactly does someone in this situation put on a resume anyways?  
 
Frustrated and unemployed.

Well, it could be a few things. Generally if you get *no one* calling you, based on feedback I've read on ebrandon (so take it with a grain of salt... ha!) is that there's a presentation problem. You're going in and there's issues with your resume, or you're not looking nice when you turn it in (it makes a difference - I once got an interview based on the receptionist's assessment that I "looked serious and dressed well", which was an improvement over most of the other candidates... and I eventually got the job!), or something else like that.  
 
Lack of experience, depending on the type of job, is not in itself a hinderence for finding employment if your present yourself well and are eager. However, if you genuinely feel that lacking experience in the workforce is an issue, you can try volunteering for a few months to "build up" your resume. I haven't worked in about 10 years, but I've more or less always done volunteer work in that time mostly because I enjoy it and I have the time, but if I had to find a job tomorrow I have that to put on my resume and some good references because of it.

I sent you a private message.

From both sides I can safely say - it may not be entirely your presentation as I once thought.  
 
I was a District Sales manager in retail for many years before leaving to raise my kids. So I hired and fired many hundreds of people in my day. While raising my kids I volunteered like a crazy person and held a very part time job secret shopping in addition to running our family business AND I upgraded to get my degree in business management. I know how to sell my self in an interview and I am very personable and professional.  
 
I had a HELL of a time finding work. I am now employed full time, but I seriously had to jump through hoops to get the job.  
 
My lack of "actual business" references nearly cost me the job I have. But after being out of retail for fifteen years, there was no way I could find any of them, most have moved on, one company I worked for went bankrupt. They eventually used volunteer references but it was really a degrading experiece to go through all of that!!  
 
As I said, I hired and fired so many people in my day and can say, most applicants do definitely have a presentation problem. They are sloppy, or uninterested or you can tell they are not good quality workers.  
 
But even with my experience and fairly decent resume, I was not getting even call backs for interviews for many of the jobs I applied for. In discussing it with an HR specialist, they mentioned there definitely is an err of "you have to know someone" in this town. That is just wrong - but sadly it may be the case.  
 
My suggestion is apply with Westcan Human Resources. While the job I got ultimately did not come from them, they are a very good source for advice, help reworking your resume, and more - and once your resume is on file with them you have an in when new listings come around if they fit your skillset.  
 
Just don't get down - it is too easy to get discouraged - I know.

foxtrot11 said "From both sides I can safely say - it may not be entirely your presentation as I once thought.     I was a District Sales manager in retail for many years before leaving to raise my kids. So I hired and fired many hundreds of people in my day. While raising my kids I volunteered like a crazy person and held a very part time job secret shopping in addition to running our family business AND I upgraded to get my degree in business management. I know how to sell my self in an interview and I am very personable and professional.     I had a HELL of a time finding work. I am now employed full time, but I seriously had to jump through hoops to get the job.     My lack of "actual business" references nearly cost me the job I have. But after being out of retail for fifteen years, there was no way I could find any of them, most have moved on, one company I worked for went bankrupt. They eventually used volunteer references but it was really a degrading experiece to go through all of that!!     As I said, I hired and fired so many people in my day and can say, most applicants do definitely have a presentation problem. They are sloppy, or uninterested or you can tell they are not good quality workers.     But even with my experience and fairly decent resume, I was not getting even call backs for interviews for many of the jobs I applied for. In discussing it with an HR specialist, they mentioned there definitely is an err of "you have to know someone" in this town. That is just wrong - but sadly it may be the case.     My suggestion is apply with Westcan Human Resources. While the job I got ultimately did not come from them, they are a very good source for advice, help reworking your resume, and more - and once your resume is on file with them you have an in when new listings come around if they fit your skillset.     Just don't get down - it is too easy to get discouraged - I know. "

Thanks for "getting it".  
 
I am trying hard to stay positive and continue my search. I do volunteer in the community so I assumed that would help but so far, hasn't made much of a difference. I just wish more employers would give us older stay at home moms more of a chance. Now that our kids are grown, we would make great employees. We would never miss work to stay home and care for a sick child or miss work due to having no daycare or having to take our young kids to appointments etc. My kids are old enough to do all of that themselves. I really though that in itself would really be a plus on my behalf. But yes, I will continue my search and hope that one day soon, someone agrees and gives me a shot. Thanks for your encouragement.

Just letting you know you are not alone. I was a stay at home mom. Lots of office and management experience!! Returned part time for work as that's all I could get. I want a full time job and I have recently applied for 30 plus jobs over the months and nothing. I am always well dressed and resume is really up to date and par! Just wanting full time job

you have to make job searching a full time job.  
I pounded the streets and applied for whatever I saw come open. But the best two jobs I had were people that weren't even advertising. I picked an different area every day and dropped resumes off in the mornings and again in the afternoons. It was harder than working - but you have to work at it. Many people do not advertise.

what are you skills? PM me a resume

Perhaps you could try turning your negative into the ultimate positive.  
 
Be upfront and own it. I've dedicated the last 15 years of my life to my children. Now that I've accomplished that goal I'm dedicated and enthusiastic to re-enter the work force. I'm responsible, someone you can count on, etc.

I agree, best I've been able to come up with in my position is part time, prior to this i had a couple of years as a receptionist and 10 years as a stay at home dad on disability.  
There's times I definitely feel like my wheelchair blacklists me from employment, I've gone into interviews and I just get the vibe that the moment they see the chair they've already decided that I'm not qualified.  
My current employer isn't so bad but it's retail so there's really no such thing as full time hours, I'd love to move onto bigger and better but at this point I'm scared to move on from what I have which although better than nothing, makes me feel like I'm not contributing enough financially to my family.  
Definitely feel your pain though. Keep plugging away at it.

I'd recommend talking to the folks at Samaritan House Employment Resource Centre at the Town Centre. 717-3503.  
 
As a homemaker, you'll have all kinds of skills - budgeting, managing, probably behavioral management (!)....

LynWaterman said "I'd recommend talking to the folks at Samaritan House Employment Resource Centre at the Town Centre. 717-3503.     As a homemaker, you'll have all kinds of skills - budgeting, managing, probably behavioral management (!).... "

A stay at home mom has tons of skills, you just need to point that out on your resume. Google examples of "skill-based resumes" and you will soon see how to translate your skills into terms that an employer will get excited about

Pm sent

http://www.mcdonalds.ca/ca/en/careers.html

What type of job are you looking/applying for?

thatsjustme said "What type of job are you looking/applying for? "

I've been applying to the grocery stores, several retail stores in the mall, the big box department stores, few office jobs etc. I haven't done any restaurants and fast food type places as I have no experience in that whatsoever and was hoping I would find something in retail or office.

This thread has been posted lots and I find it quite funny how people say this I think it comes to the point where there are jobs but they get picky where they want to work it's not the fact that there is not jobs just no jobs where you want. If you want a job that bad you would go anywhere you could get one right?  
I have pm u about a job opportunity and no response so you must not need a job that bad?

DogLover23 said "This thread has been posted lots and I find it quite funny how people say this I think it comes to the point where there are jobs but they get picky where they want to work it's not the fact that there is not jobs just no jobs where you want. If you want a job that bad you would go anywhere you could get one right?   I have pm u about a job opportunity and no response so you must not need a job that bad? "

I actually just received and replied to the rest of my inbox messages. I have been having trouble with my inbox and actually contacted Adam about the issue earlier today so he could fix it.  
 
I just finished replying to you and the few other messages I received.  
 
Thank you!

Get tickets and experience

Try n apply at superstore for click n collect. They r very busy n superstore i find is the least judging employer ive ever seen.

Thanks for all of the replies and inbox messages, some have been very helpful and given me a few great leads which I intend to follow up on.  
Unfortunately I have no experience or interest in working with livestock or driving farm machinery ( both of which scare me a little bit) but I have some great ideas and leads.

http://careers.lb.com/job/7252593/sales-associate-brandon-shoppers-mall-brandon-ca/

Escape the Final Countdown is looking for part time game guides in both the Brandon and Wasagaming locations. Email your resume to manager@thefinalcountdown.ca

I've been trying for the past year for both of my children, one an adult and the other a teen in high school. We have submitted many many resumes to have nothing at all in return, not even entry level jobs. It's very discouraging. Both have gone in in person, well dressed and looking presentable. We have even applied to fast food restaurants, multiple times to each of them. I don't understand why.

What about applying at the Bdn Hospital. ? Start off in housekeeping, then go onto other positions.

The reality of the situation is that jobs are going to be harder and harder to find. Manitoba has lost over 5000 jobs since the New Year due to layoffs and position abolishment. Bombardier, Investors, Great West Life, Manitoba Hydro, Bell/Mts have all laid people off in this Province. Even Walmart laid off 400 employees in this Province some 2 weeks ago. Health and Education are both laying people off due to substancial cuts in funding from the the Provincial Government. If you want a job it may be necessary to create your own employment. If its only part time work you want why not make up a notice that you will do housecleaning and post these notices in the foyer of the seniors apartment complexes. There are a lot of seniors who due to mobility issues can't vacume or scrub floors. There are also many seniors who would gladly pay someone to come into their home and do baking. There is so many opportunities in Brandon for people to create their own employment, all you need is a little iniative and creativity.

I too, am in the same boat.  
 
I've had my resume professionally built, have both college & university educations, and for the last 6 months i've been applying. Nothing. No phone calls.  
 
I've applied for everything between retail to jobs actually pertaining to my education.. and I get zero feedback other than an e-mail 4-6 weeks later saying "We've decided to go with another candidate" when I never even got an interview.  
 
Best of luck to everyone looking for work!

I've pm u re job