Unpaind office internships after career break - how to get them.

[Howtogetthere]

Hi,
I have lived in UK for a few years. I am SAHM, but now, when my child is full time at school, I would like start working again.
I have never worked in UK in my field (I had worked in financial services before the break). I have also had quite a long break - almost 8 years.
I am thinking of applying for unpaid internships (I 'd rather get a paid one, but I do not generate any income anyway now and I have 5 hours a day I could contribute). The internships I can find on-line are graduate internships though and I am long past being one.
I applied to a few companies directly (without any success), but I sent it to a general email to HR department and I assume my email went straight to bin.

I really have no idea now haw to start. And it does not help at all that after a few years at home I feel that I forgot all the working habits and my confidence is not great either.

If any of you have an experience or any idea how I could make this process more effective for myself I will really appreciate any advice.

[Mumchatting]

Hi
It's not easy, isn't it! Lots of internships for graduates only. I know what you mean. There was a time when I was looking for internships too but found them really hard to find.

I could suggest you look for entry level positions though. They are not internships but proper paid jobs. But they are for people who start from zero. Training normally should be provided so no previous qualifications needed. Have a look into that. Good luck.

[Twistedheartache]

Have you considered temping? We have had a lot of people over the years who have joined as Tempsford & then moved into permanent roles both staying in one field & changing as opportunities came along.

[Howtogetthere]

Hi,
thank you all very much for a few really good points to start with. May ask a bit more about temp work Twistedheartache? Would I still not be expected to have some recent experience?. Are most temp opportunities given through agencies?
I have a few friends who did temp work but it usually was a cover position or a project and they were not entry level jobs.
I honestly thought it would be easier to find something if I was ready to work for free.

[Twistedheartache]

I would say it depends what you want to start off doing & where in the country you are so how many jobs/companies there are.
Disclaimer - no experience of financial services so not sure where your skills lie.
If you are happy to get back into the workplace via admin/data entry to get you used to systems that companies are using/foot in the door then this is a way of establishing yourself, getting your face known etc.
I would say as long as you can type/are fairly it literate, decent telephone manner

We use an agency for the bulk of the roles & have 1 person from that agency who is based on site. She will help people to move around - E.g helped a friend move from serving in house in Costa to a temp job in customer query team & onto a permanent role in credit control.
Elsewhere someone who started dealing with customer orders & is now online digital manager - via a different agency years ago.
Other agencies will need people willing to do short ad hoc roles, a couple of days here & there, a week holiday cover etc which might get you the chance to see different organisations.
Advantage of temping is you can get a bit of money while you get back into work but you can potentially retain flexibility for child sickness/concerts etc
Good luck!

[Howtogetthere]

thank you, I need to have a good look into it.