To think getting a job is impossible for some?

^ agree. Have just landed a new role after being second choice 3 times in 18 months

It’s a tough market and has taken ages - I have a v strong CV and haven’t had these challenges before: it’s not you it’s the market. If you are 2nd choice you will be first choice soon enough, can you get people to refer you?

Telling people that they think they’re “too good” for some jobs just because they have certain things they’re looking for is exactly trying to take them down a peg. I work part time in an office and have many colleagues doing the same, some had taken time out before that, others had career changed into this field. It’s not that unrealistic, if you have the skills and experience. If you don’t then obviously you do have to take whatever is going but the OP sounds like she has a background in a professional job.

@AlwaysHungryForBiscuits it's not about "taking people down a peg" it's about having realistic expectations - very few people can take time out of the workplace and walk in to a part-time job with no childcare costs, in an office environment.

I don't know anyone who has a job that gives them everything - you have to make sacrifices somewhere, and as OP has been out of work for a few years, she may find she has to decide between part-time work in (for example), retail or hospitality or full-time in an office for now.

@tumblingdowntherabbitholeWell yes, if the logistics of a job are going to mean incurring lots of costs like commuting and dog walking, and if the salary isn’t enough to cover those costs then people aren’t going to take it. Everything now is really expensive and average salaries aren’t that high.
And of course if someone has invested years and £££ into getting a degree and professional experience they aren’t going to want to work for minimum wage, unless it’s a very short stop gap.
I hate this culture of trying to bring people down a peg if they dare to not want to accept rock bottom pay and conditions.

@AlwaysHungryForBiscuits while that obviously does apply to some people, you only need to read the threads on here to know that some people definitely do think they're too good for jobs like that - there are also people who think they shouldn't have to accept a hybrid role as it means paying for a dog walker, or more parking, or train fares.

Yes, it's possible for someone to be unemployable.

A convicted murderer who has an offensive tattoo on his forehead and who can only work every other Tuesday afternoons, and has no qualifications = unemployable.

I =nah, you're fine. Just keep applying, lots of applications, even if it's not what you want long term.

I took time off work for many years because I was bullied, nearly had a break down, we could afford it, struggled to even fill in applications, eventually I decided new year, new me, I asked people around me and eventually got a job part time which wasn't advertised but they said would suit me better when I got an interview. Maybe have a fresh look at what jobs are available, you could try. Good luck

It does feel like it sometimes. I'm working part time, looking for another job with a better commute but finding a local part time job that's manageable with my family needs and health conditions is a real struggle. It's demoralising at times but I'm sure something will come along eventually, for both of us hopefully!

I agree with pp. it’s not women, it’s anyone taking significant time out.

it does disproportionately affect women as they are the ones that do take time out. There’s a reason men rarely sahp.

it’s a choice. You choose to take time off, you risk not being able to get back into the job market.

also bear in mind employers are looking at that sahm gap on your cv, and your request for PT/flexible working, and many will conclude that your primary role is parenting, and the job will come second.

@tumblingdowntherabbithole @tumblingdowntherabbitholeIt’s not that people think they’re “too good”, some people can’t work shifts or weekends if they’re a parent for example, and their work patterns clash with their partner’s and they’ve no one to watch the kids, or they’re a single parent. Where would the kids go if you have to work an evening or weekend and the nurseries/childminders are shut?
Also the jobs you’ve listed pay minimum wage, people private renting or with a mortgage on even a modest house couldn’t afford to do them unless they have a high earning partner being the real bread earner.
OP, hang in there, something will come along. Are you part of Facebook groups for flexible working/parent-friendly jobs etc? There are lots and jobs get posted in there, or if you put a post up describing your skills and what you’re looking for someone might get in touch, have seen this happen.

Oh really?
Can you give an example of when you last got a new job 'by teatime' , and what decade that was in?

Pt roles are rare is some fields. If it appeals to you as family friendly it will appeal to loads of people. Lots of women work in pt roles or roles below experience level as they fit in with family.
Could you apply for ft roles then look to negotiate hours or apply for flexible working after you have settled in.

So you will still lose those same good candidates

If you’d gained a lot of experience and built a career in this particular industry before becoming a SAHM, can you contact any previous employers or clients and indicate that you’re looking to get back in and to keep you in mind for any vacancies? Can you update your industry knowledge and skills by doing some CPD in the meantime, so that you don’t have quite so much of a knowledge gap blaring on your CV?

In many industries and roles it’s difficult not to discount somebody who hasn’t worked or kept their CPD up to date for several years, for whatever reason, when you have other great candidates who don’t have that gap.

I don’t think it’s that women are discounted - anyone who takes several years out of work is putting themselves at a disadvantage, whether that’s to raise children, travel or practise your circus skills.

It’s a warning that comes up on here time and time again - taking several years out of work to raise children isn’t something to do lightly.

Finding a job is easy, finding a job you want is admittedly more difficult. I used to work in recruitment, the fact that your not working now would be a red flag for me,
any job (even if just a stop gap) is better than no job.

I agree with this, unfortunately. I work in HR and the job market right now is insane. We get an average of 150 applications for every job we advertise....these are professional office roles in admin, finance, marketing etc. Competition is fierce, it's not unusual for us to get 300+ applications and when we're screening that many CVs per role then any reason to filter out an application we will use. I know it's harsh but if you haven't worked at all for 2 years then that's going to count against you in a situation where there'll be 100 other candidates with more recent experience.

In your situation, I would get any job at all to fit with the hours you want. It is easier to find work once you're in work. We just hired someone that had been a senior manager in a previous role but was made redundant and has spent the last 6 months working at the local Morrisons supermarket. They needed to bring money in so took whatever role they could get and that is a plus in my eyes as it shows they're willing to work hard and be flexible.

You're not unemployable, you aren't applying for the right opportunities in the right way. Like how no house is unsellable but won't sell if marketed in the wrong way. If you have savings, or someone who loves you enough to support this, it's worth paying for some career coaching to help you identify what the right opportunities are, and to market yourself appropriately.

A friend of mine was in the same situation. Post grad quals, 15 year of experience and 5 year as a sahm.

she couldn’t step back into her old role as she was competing against those with no career break and current skill.

so her choice was take several steps back in her old role, where she would be competing against new grads so had the experience to give her the edge. Which meant going back to the grind and full time, promotion seeking etc.

or completely switch career. Which is what she did. Took an entry level, non graduate role in an interesting field. Meant no pressure, could flex hours more easily, could request pt after her initial assessment period. No worrying about promotion, family could come first etc. ended up being good at it, never went pt, several internal role switches and is now doing really well, has a career which works around her family.

Unfortunately that’s one of the risks you take when you become a SAHP - people will take your place.

Personally I would focus on getting any job possible then keep applying from there - it’s always easier to find a job when you have a job, even if that means you’re working in a shop or behind a checkout for a few months.

Feel your pain OP. I have been looking and applying recently and getting nowhere fast. I am finding it difficult to get my foot in the door of somewhere new at the level I need.

I'm fortunate I don't need a job I would just like to move on for progression in the next 6-12 months - so I feel really bad for those who are desperate for a new job.

Ime there are plenty of PT and flexi roles.

flexi roles are easier- nearly all my company’s admin roles are flexi.

pt as I said is tougher as it will only meet the business need if there is already someone PT and there is a part role to fill. Often the PT has picked their days so the new role is created around that.

the best option for PT is to start full time and reduce hours. Which is what nearly everyone I know has done. With a couple of exceptions- I have a friend who’s a 999 call handler and they can pretty much set their hours. They’ll take PT as there are always gaps to fill.

It’s difficult at the moment. Since you need a part time role I think you may need to adjust your expectations of finding something in your particular field. I would apply for everything that fits your hours requirement. Something is better than nothing and shows your work ethic. There are transferrable skills from any job that will boost your CV. Then you can be selective about the kind of role you really want, do some extra training/courses in your spare time etc. I say this as someone who is going back to a part time retail job in the same place I worked when I was 16, while I study for a career change. It’s not what I want to do long term at all, but it will keep me in a routine, using customer service and interpersonal skills, and most importantly, financially comfortable. Good luck op xx