The study, a literature review, examines the critical factors affecting re-entry women's access to jobs and their chances of obtaining and retaining work at a level appropriate to their capacities. An examination of the re-entry woman deals with socialization and self-concept, changing attitudes, and new expectations. Bias against women among the professionals to whom they turn for aid is documented, and the potential danger of placing a sex-fair interest inventory in the hands of a sex-biased counselor is pointed out. New concepts concerning the re-entry woman as student, in the work force, as family member, and as achiever are cited and recommended to counselors interpreting interest inventories. The discrimination against women desiring training for a second career is discussed. The paper examines selected material from various inventories as examples that are seen to affect the usefulness of an interest inventory in relation to the reentering woman. Language, items, instructions, and interpretive materials are discussed, and recommendations are made for each area, as well as for counselor education and for research. (AJ)