Returning to work after.....17 years!

[4andout]

I have 4dc - youngest is going in to year 6. Dh has career which is unpredictable so have not worked since dc1 was 1 - 17 years ago! Dh is a musician and can be out weekends and evenings. Now at the point where dc4 can walk home from school etc.. A job has come up in my village 8:30-5 mon-fri. It's a lab assistant (very puzzled as to where it is) and says no experience needed.

What the hell do I put on a cv to send to the recruitment agency? I have a degree and a post grad diploma and then worked for 2 years in a library. Couple of other crappy student jobs. A total blank for 17 years!!
What about referees?

[Just5minswithDacre]

Have you done anything that called be called or framed as volunteering or work in those years? Any kind of babysitting or reciprocal childcare favours? Helping out at the schools or nurseries? Committee positions or similar? Fundraising? Helping out with your DH's business if it's self employed?

Any ideas?

Don't lie, just present things well and don't undersell!

One of the referees can be a personal reference. One or two in addition related to the above would be great.

[Just5minswithDacre]

And make it a skills-based CV, not chronological (Google for examples).

[4andout]

I helped with art classes when dc3 was in year 4 and with reading when dc4 was in year 4....same teacher so perhaps I could ask her. I've had numerous friends' dc at the drop of a hat, but nothing regular just helping them out when they were stuck for childcare.

I don't feel like I have any skills. The advert is rather mysterious and full of spelling mistakes! I almost feel too scared to apply.

[Just5minswithDacre]

I helped with art classes when dc3 was in year 4 and with reading when dc4 was in year 4....same teacher so perhaps I could ask her.

There you go, that's one thing for the CV, even if she doesn't work out as a referee for some reason (some schools have uptight policies but ask).

I've had numerous friends' dc at the drop of a hat, but nothing regular just helping them out when they were stuck for childcare.

That counts. Is there one of the parents you could ask to be a referee?

I don't feel like I have any skills.

With four children and 17 years' experience of running a bustling house!? Of course you do You just need to think about how to evidence them.

The advert is rather mysterious and full of spelling mistakes! I almost feel too scared to apply.

I must admit that the spelling mistakes, the vagueness, the lack of experience requirement AND the fact that you can't work out where in the village a lab might be...well it might be fine or it could be odd.

But if this vacancy turns out to be peculiar in some way, it just buys you more time to revitalise your CV.

Six months of PT volunteering and a PT college course would give you up to date entries on your CV, two recent references and things to talk about at interview.

[Just5minswithDacre]

CLAIT/IT users or Customer Service or Business qualifications are all widely available and useful - worth thinking about even if you get this job.

Or anything else that takes your fancy

Do you drive or are you dependent on public transport?

[4andout]

Thank you so much. You're very encouraging! Dh is supportive. I don't need to go back to work, but I want to. I can't drive, so am reliant on public transport which is a bit crap in my village....1 bus an hour, however it's only a 40 minute walk to my nearest town.