Please tell me your stories of returning to work after a few years off whilst your children were small.

[HorseStories]

I have been out of paid employment for 4 years now. I was ready to return last year but we knew far in advance that we were relocating this summer for DH's job, so instead I did a few months work experience.

During the past 4 years, I have slowly gained a PG qualification. Although the subject matter is partly related to my previous job, I am effectively looking for a job of which I have limited experience, and of which there are few opportunities arising in this location. Coupled with my being out of the workforce completely for 4 years, things are not looking good.

I'm not sure what next step to take:

** Temping work in anything

• Unpaid Work experience/voluntary work
  
  Updating skills like Excel/Outlook etc... which at least look like I am making positive steps towards updating basic work-based skills
  
  * Take free advice from a 'back-to-work' adviser as advertisied in the library - though I'm a little dubious about what they could know better than me about my industry
  
  Please tell me your positive(or not) stories of getting back into the workplace.
  

• Did you return to the same industry?

-What did you have to to get there?
-Did you have to start at the bottom of the heap again?
-How long did it take you to move up again?

Very many thanks

[frustratedmumof3]

I would definitely look into temping work in a similar industry. That way if you don't like it you can easily move into something else, it shows that you are refreshing your skills and most importantly gives you some confidence.

I returned to work last year after 6 years as a SAHM (had twins so could not afford to work as childcare for twins + afterschool care for older child/travel etc, cost more than salary!), did some temping for 3 months then ended up in a better job than I had before I stopped working (v.lucky). I found that most employers are not that bothered that you have had a few years off, just that you have had relevant experience before.

Good luck.