3marchpickle
member
Reged: 03/01/2007
Posts: 14
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Hi all,
I am looking to go back to work when my daughter starts secondary school in September. The problem is I haven't worked since before she was born and don't know what I would be good at anymore. I feel like I am unemployable. I could do anything anyone showed me. I am punctual, reliable and enjoy meeting people. But as soon as you say you have been out of work for so long and my age (43) people don't want to know. I would love to work in hospitality or events management but literally don't know where to start - help
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scottishmags
member
Reged: 24/04/2009
Posts: 1329
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Hi marchpickle and welcome to the forum!
After a long break would you feel happier starting with something simple just to get your confidence up and some experience on your CV? Find quite a basic job in your chosen field, impress people by how fab you are, make some contacts and take it from there..
i.e. get on a register for casual staff at big events, then you're not committed to a long-term job and you can build up your skills ... maybe follow that with a college qualification, then move onwards and upwards!
Good luck!
Mags
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WoodyM
member
Reged: 01/04/2009
Posts: 679
Loc: Cheshire
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Hi, I went back to work 4 years ago after nearly 20 years at home - I was terrified. I saw the job in the local paper, just 4 weeks work which I thought would ease me in. I fully expected them to say TOO OLD (I was 53), but 4 years later I am still there! Actually I have just had my review and I am one of the best workers !
Scottishmags is right, start small, go to an agency then your confidence will build - go for it, you will be fine.
Good luck ++ 
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ChrissiFi
member
Reged: 28/06/2006
Posts: 2621
Loc: Somerset
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I don't mean to be rude but are you aiming at the right level of job at the moment? I think the important thing is to get used to the working world again (it's going to be a shock after over 11 years of being able to organise your own time to suddenly find you're following someone else's rules - I've seen this with people who've only taken a couple of years off). Is there any sort of careers advisory service in a job centre near you? They could really help you to see what sort of job you should be aiming for to give you the right experience to move towards hospitality or event management
Think about how you can build up your cv and gain experience while looking for work. Have you helped out with events at school, sports days, jumble sales etc? It can all be worded in a way to help when looking for work. Have a think about voluntary work - volunteers help with everything from charity shops through to admin etc and most charities are pleased to be contacted. Try contacting your local FE college - you may find they have some free courses that could get you up to date with skills you'll need in the work place (a certificate in some sort of IT literacy, hygiene certs for catering etc that a potential employer can take as evidence of your ability).
Good luck - age shouldn't be a barrier (you don't actually have to put your date of birth on a cv these days due to legislation changes).
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Foxie
member
Reged: 09/08/2007
Posts: 8019
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I was at home with my children for 16 years and have been back working for 10 years now, the last five full time. I started as a volunteer and built up lots of experience and then applied for an internal vacancy.
I look at lots of women's CVs and so many undersell themselves and their achievements.
Good luck
Foxie.
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I've learnt that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou.
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jamjams
member
Reged: 09/01/2009
Posts: 1174
Loc: geordieland
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Most Job centres offer career advice, and so do a number of charitable trusts, They might be able to help you organise your mind into what you want to do / are able to do Citizens advice may be able to help,or the thing that used to be learn direct.
I am going through a similar process, but have been off work due to disability.
I started with a list of all the things I'm good at and not so good at. Not job type things the things "they call cross over skills"
organising your family, preparing menus, driving, answering the phone, prioritising,budgeting etc.
EG. if you come out in a cold sweat when you answer the phone you'd be no good in a call centre
hope this helps ( ooohh welcome to the forum by the way forgot to say it earlier, look forward to hearing how you get on)
jamjams x
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Bizibee
member
Reged: 25/03/2009
Posts: 613
Loc: North Wales
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I just have to share this with you all. My friends and I all left secondary school in 1962 and went on to marry a few years later, because that's what you did back then. I am totally amazed by what they have done with their respective lives after they had their children, watched them grow up and then realised that they were sadly lacking in education. One dear friend went and sat her O levels and A levels at 45, she then went on to do a degree and now has a doctorate and is currently lecturing in a USA university at 62 and loving every minute. Another close friend went into nursing at 44 and is still working albeit part time now. Another is a fully qualified chiropodist after starting training at 46. There are others too numerous too mention but suffice to say I am as pleased as Punch for them all............best of luck!
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3marchpickle
member
Reged: 03/01/2007
Posts: 14
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Thank-you all for your response. I have done voluntary work before and helped and organised school fetes etc, thanks ChrissiFi I had forgotten about all that. Also a good idea to list the things I am good at jamjams, will start today. I think my main obstacle is myself and lack of confidence. I'm ok in the front room but out there - a big difference! It's good to know others have achieved their goals later in life so why shouldn't I
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luckylegs
member
Reged: 08/12/2008
Posts: 622
Loc: White Stiletto Land
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Hi 3marchpickle,
Welcome.
Just want to say thanks for that post as I have been thinking about going back to work after 13 years and same as you just don't know where to begin.So the responses have been so helpful. Terrible thing confidence,thats exactly what i am lacking, but I had'nt thought about volunteering to get back into a work routine and to add to a cv.( cant think of a single thing to put on mine!).
Best of luck to you.
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ChrissiFi
member
Reged: 28/06/2006
Posts: 2621
Loc: Somerset
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Applying for a new job isn't easy even if you've not had a gap - I was in my last job for 13 years and the only reason I moved was because the site was closing and I was faced with either a long commute (almost 4 hours in the car a day) or redundancy. If you weren't nervouse you wouldn't be normal. Any help you need with translating your skills to wording for your cv or application just let us know.
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3marchpickle
member
Reged: 03/01/2007
Posts: 14
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you too luckylegs. Look forward to hearing how you get on. Maybe we can pick each others brains
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