Being a caregiver is relevant work experience if the job you’re applying to is for caregiving, or at least something semi-related like the medical field.
But if you’re applying for programming or sales positions it’s entirely irrelevant.
Being a caregiver is relevant work experience, quite sad that some people think caring for others isn’t relevant for a large portion of work…
EncryptKeeper@lemmy.world 3 days ago
plantfanatic@sh.itjust.works 3 days ago
Dealing with finances, scheduling, planning and transit aren’t relevant to a sales position?
Do you not realize what being a caretaker involves?
Ajen@sh.itjust.works 3 days ago
You aren’t thinking like a hiring manager.
wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 days ago
Caring for a family member would have no relevance to just as many, if not more, positions than it holds relevance to.
Like any tech related position beyond (at quite a stretch) helpdesk, not relevant.
There’s something to be said for character reference in your resume, but most places are more concerned about more tangible skills.
Like another commenter suggested, maybe under an “other experience” section, but not in the same area as relevant work experience unless you’re trying to pad things.
plantfanatic@sh.itjust.works 3 days ago
Carrying for a family includes but not limited; dealing with financing, scheduling, transit, meal planning, etc. you’re the persons care taker, you do everything they would normally be doing. There’s every day tasks that are relevant to every job.
Tell me you think being a caretaker means sitting around doing nothing all day….
wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 days ago
Please get off your high horse and stop making assumptions. I’ve literally laid four eldery family members in the ground over the past 3 years. For some reason I’m always asked to be a pallbearer and I’m never going to say no.
All of them required care. While my wife and I weren’t full time caregivers (living 8 hours away will do that), we’ve done more than enough time in the trenches. Nearly all our time off from work from 2018-2022 went into help and care for elderly relatives. Everything beyond our own days off sick or for Dr’s appointments. Weeks at a time of giving round the clock care. It only stopped once stable care had been sorted out and we decided to start IVF (with the blessing of those family members still able to communicate so) to try and have a kid.
I’ve also been minorly involved in a few hirings. Not directly making the decision, but part of the “meet your potential co-workers” interview. Talked extensively with my boss about the approach, and read up quite a bit about the process. My feedback was part of the decision.
Your points are valid, to a point. Caregivers do tend to underestimate the work involved, and the skills required. It can be, and quite often is, some of the hardest work out there to navigate all the shit involved while watching a loved one slowly die. It changes you.
But I would still caution against listing it as direct job experience. Again, I would suggest listing it under an “Other Experience” section with any other skills from volunteering or personal life if they are particularly significant.
Resumes are all about making a good first impression, and there are tons of people out there who would see “Full time caregiver” and mentally file it the same as if someone listed “Stay at home parent”. I mean they would view it as an excuse and a cop out. It’s not necessarily fair, but I’m trying to be realistic here.
Yes, this exactly. Anyone who hasn’t had direct exposure to the mechanics of elder care isn’t going to get it. That’s not a smart gamble to make on a first impression when job hunting unless you absolutely have to go all in on that gamble.