How did you explain taking time off of work for caregiving when you re-entered the job market?

Ashlynne, What is the "Bay Street" "THING"? You're experience was entirely different than mine, employers saw how I anticipated an up coming need and found a way to acomodate that need. Ie: introducing strangers into the house, preparation for CNA, housekeeper etc. I've seen four of my family members through the end of their lives and not once were they seen as "baggage". I covered all my bases before returning to work, to be sure I could be on the job when I was on the job. Maybe that's the difference.

transplantwest I'm in Canada so Bay Street is Toronto's version of Wall Street

cool. thanks

I am looking now, as my Mom and her hubby moved to a retirement community three months ago. I am very discouraged and not knowing where to turn.

My caregiver experience just ended after 2 years, my brother's wife has been out for caregiver duty for about that long plus. So far, employers are dropping the ball on doing the right thing. I stayed relatively current with my field though. There's more going on with the opportunities that I did get interviews for. Contract positions from Thanksgiving to the New Year. Projects that weren't done by FT employees for 11 months and they want you to throw your body on the grenade & save them from eating the loss that they were there for 11 complete months, getting salary & benefits and didn't accomplish their projects. They don't want to pay much during the holidays and being contract there are no benefits. End of the day, you're babysitting the company during corporate holidays that FT staff are extending with accumulated PTO/vacation time.

Thanksgiving 2017, the contract position I didn't get, was later contacted by a recruiter for the same position at the start of the 2nd week of January 2018. Pay rate was lower $ 20-25/hour, I originally submitted for $ 27/hour. The 2018 recruiter told me his candidate got an offer back when I interviewed for it a couple weeks before Thanksgiving 2017. His submission declined and never joined the team for that project. They didn't do anything about their project in December 2017 and I suspect they will do nothing about it again, until Thanksgiving 2018, it's how they roll.

Yes that’s how they roll...

The current employee/employment atmosphere has changed since I began my career in 1979.
Loyalty really doesn’t exist anymore as employers know they can get someone else to do the job and pay them way less to boot. The companies take advantage of the person’s youth and inexperience and hire them not only with a lower rate but not enough hours for you, the employee, to be able to even get healthcare benefits.

My advice to you is to keep looking and eventually you will find an opportunity. Takes a lot of effort and let down but that’s life.
I myself am happy to have retirement on my radar now vs decades in the future.

And negotiate well anyway at your interview to get that hourly rate you requested because THEY need you now.

Tech skills are needed for any job these days too. 

Hang in there!

After providing four years of care I was finally able to return to the work force in my profession. It definitely was not easy. At the beginning of that four years I completed a master's degree which may have helped. By the time I found work I had had the degree for three years.

How did I do it? Thinking outside the box, and started looking in less competitive markets. I moved 450 miles away, sold my home and went on with my life. That position did not work out. Within six months I started looking for positions closer to home. After being there for a year I was able to find work within 120 miles of home and my kids and families. I have now been here for about a year and this is my home.

I learned I much prefer small communities and am enjoying life here. Getting ready to build a house and making that permanent commitment.

It can happen but you need to be willing to update skills and make any changes necessary. Is it hard? You bet, the hardest thing I ever did was that 450 mile move and I do not have a spouse or other person that made that move with me. But it has worked out wonderfully! Thank you mom for the strength and independence you taught me.