I am currently working full-time in a job and am pregnant with my first child. After the baby arrives I plan on being a stay at home mom for quite some time since we want to have more than one child. If all goes as planned, which we know sometimes it doesn't, I won't return to the workforce until our future kids will be in school.

My question is whether or not I should get a letter of recommendation from my current employer for when I do go back to work, which will be 10+ years from now (again, if all goes as we think). I know if I wait until that time, my current supervisors will probably have moved on to another job in another company and by that time, won't even remember how I was as an employee enough to write me a letter. On the other hand, I would think that if I had them write a recommendation letter now, by the time I actually use it whoever would be reading it would think I was crazy to give them such an "ancient" letter that was written a decade ago.

I struck gold with this employer, we have a very good working relationship and I know she would write a great letter for me, but I wonder if it's worth it at all. To add to it all the job that I have is actually in the field that I studied in college, so getting the letter validates my experience in the field I studied and the field of work that I will be applying for in the future. Suggestions? Advice?

If you return to the workforce after 10+ years, it would be best if you could return to this company. Make sure you leave on the best of terms, so that you might be asked back and won't even need the letter.

That said, you should ask for a recommendation letter now. If you took time off to form a family, employers will understand the letter is ancient. However, if the managers are around by that time and still remember you, a reference they can call would be even better. Stay in touch with the managers so you will both remember each other. Also, don't just look after kid(s) in those 10 years. You want to show a future employer relevant and RECENT experience/skills, so stay on top of the literature in your field and take a couple of relevant evening courses as soon as you can fit them into your schedule, so you won't have a huge 10-year resume gap.

Good luck!

I'd go ahead and get the letter.  It shows you were a great employee at one time.

But I'd also, as recommended, find other opportunities to stay current.  Perhaps you can volunteer in a similar setting.  If you were a lawyer, for example, you might be able to volunteer a few hours a week to a local legal aid society, which would keep you in the loop.  If you were a secretary, you might volunteer with any organization, and keep computer skills if not current, at least not completely outdated.  Similar to marketing; can you imagine coming back NOW, after having been out for ten years, and not knowing a thing about social media?

You might also find it's not ten years, but five years or seven years, depending on how you space it and if there are any multiples in your future.

And when you make that future resume, you can leave off the chaffeur skills, but you might add in scheduler; co-ordinating multiple kids whatever ages is a handful.

Also, look into continuing education credits, on your own time, again to stay current.

Hi cmartin,

I agree with stijnhommes and authorjln - get the letter now! I've worked with many clients who were returning to the workforce after an absence, and they've had trouble tracking down former employers. You can also ask for recommendations on LinkedIn - the recommendations will be tied to the job on your profile.

Wishing you all the best!

Try to keep in touch with the present supervisor over the years.  Maybe other co workers as well.  Send Christmas cards at least.  That way, she'll still remember you.  Even better if you are able to keep up on what's going on a little.  Then you won't be coming in from the cold, so to speak.  The time to build a network is now, not when you need one.

In addition to a recommendation letter, you may also want to ask your employer to recommend you and/or endorse your skills on LinkedIn.  That will remain for years to come, and you can collect other recommendations there throughout the years.  LinkedIn is also a way to remain in contact with your supervisor and coworkers over the years as well.

JohnGalt and MindyE - Excellent advice -- thank you for posting!