Filling Out Job Applications

Updated on August 17, 2011
B. asks from Evans, GA
7 answers

I have found that I am in need of a job and I am filling out applications.
I have been a SAHM and military wife for the past 10 yrs. What do I put in previous employers? do I go THAT far back or do I only put in the last one I had which was US Army. I've never really had a "real" chance to have a career job, except for the army. I worked at taco bell in HS, worked for a temp agency , worked at hobby lobby. I am still working on my degree. so I don't have a foundation in much of anything.
Anyway I'm filling out applications for Best Buy and Target. Nope nothing real fancy just need a job.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please no neg remarks about not having a job in 10 yrs. I do appreciate the hard work that moms that work put in. My mom worked.
Thanks guys I haven't done this in a long time.

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M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

You did have a job in the past 10 yrs honey: SAHM & military wife.
You raise your kids and make the house run like a machine! :)
I would put the temp agency jobs but list the company names intead of saying Office Temp Outsource Co. leave off taco bell.

As far as your application, attach a resume that looks something like this:

Name/Address

Objective: To obtain gainful employment with your company to further my skills and career.

Job History:
Military Armed Forces Dates from when to when
List duties here

Temp Agency Jobs Dates from when to when
List the places they placed you at, don't put the name of the temp agency.
(For ex, where I wrote Temp agency job ((that was for you)) you'd write The Paper Company Dates employed
Receptionist
Anwered phones, received deliveries, scheduled appointments, etc.

Hobby Lobby Dates employed
Job title
Job duties

College Name here AA or BA degree pending

References Available Upon Request

2 moms found this helpful
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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

For your work history, just put in that you have been a stay at home mom for 10 yrs and list the ARMY as your last employer. Who says you have not had a job for 10 yrs? You have been caterer, chaufeur, manager/agent, appt setter, house manager, budgeter etc. for 10 yrs.

2 moms found this helpful
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C.W.

answers from Phoenix on

Did you do any volunteer work? If so put that down.

1 mom found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Really? You have been working harder than most women in the past ten years! Don't be down on yourself!! Being a SAHM is harder than being a working mom. Being a military wife is probably one of the hardest jobs there is!! So good on you for doing those jobs!! I would certainly tell people what you have done for 10 years, nothing wrong with it. The Army was your last job, so be it. But you also gained organizational skills, multi-tasking, managing, etc while doing what you have been doing :).

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Boston on

Do not put down "domestic engineer" or anything cutesy like that for SAHM, even for retail jobs. Normally I would leave off retail jobs that you had a long time ago but in your case, they are relevant. I would include the army as well as the other jobs. If they ask what you've been doing for 10 years, you can then mention that you've been raising your family. If your husband has been moved around a lot and you are now going to be in one place for a while, you could even mention that you didn't work because you were moving frequently but are now settled into one place and are looking to get back into the workforce. If you're not going to be there long, then don't mention that at all.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

I agree with the post that you HAVE been working and productive for 10 years! Put the Army as your last employer. Do not underestimate your abilities to manage a household, schedule a family's activities, care for children, run birthday parties, and handle a budget. I've seen women put down "domestic manager" or similar labels for their time at home! You can leave out the high school jobs, and also put down that you are a student.

1 mom found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Typically, you only go back 10 years.

List the Army and then the fact that you have been a domestic engineer for the past 10 years.

Put down any skills that you have - Word, Excel, PowerPoint - or that you've worked a cash register...know how to deal with people...take your best qualities and write them down...

it's okay that you haven't been employed for 10 years...you've been doing something important - raising a family!!

GOOD LUCK!

1 mom found this helpful
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