Anyone else been out of work for a long time and are job searching?

[tomatosoup4]

Not worked since 2014 and now my youngest has started nursery I'm on the hunt for part time work.
Since starting the search last week I have two job interviews lined up. I'm so excited can't wait to be me and not just someone else's mum.

Who wants to join me? Be nice to talk to others that are going through the same thing

Yes, me too! I had an interview with a teaching supply agency last week and am now waiting for all my references to be received. I have to do a ‘return to teaching’ two day course, then the phone should start ringing with jobs. I’m half excited and half scared! What sort of jobs are you looking at?

Good luck

I'm after anything tbh, I've applied for retail, housekeeping and cleaning. I left school with nothing and have done similar roles since 16 albeit taking time out to have my children. I've been a Sahm for the last 6 years and although I've loved my time with the kids I'm looking forward to doing something for me and having a new identity rather than mum

That’s exactly how I feel! I’ve home-educated our four (16,14,10,8) for the last 12 years, and although it’s kept me busy, and I’ve run lots of sports groups and done some volunteering work etc I now need a bit of time to use my brain cell again for myself. I guess we both just feel ready for a new season. How old are your kids? I’ll be leaving mine at home, just one day a week, with a job list and work list each so that they’re all too busy to squabble. 😁

Mine are 18,17,15,5 and 3.
Dd18 has a part time job.
Ds17 is at college 3 days a week
Dd15 finishes school at 3pm and the two little ones finish at 3:30 schools are close so if I'm late she can help with pick up. I've lots of family around to help too. I'm just so ready for a new venture I've been ready since last summer but waited for the youngest to start nursery.
Bring it on

I know this sounds silly but I'm actually looking forward to hearing my name, I'm a single mum after separating from the kids dad and all day I hear mum,mum, mum! I was at hospital today and apparently my name was called 3 times before I responded Im not used to hearing it

Yes tomato, I get it 🤣 Ours call us by our first names because I wanted to avoid overuse of mummy/daddy, but now I just don’t respond when they use my name anyway! Wow, 5 children - that’s amazing! I stopped teaching when pregnant with number 3 because we don’t have any family to help, so it was too expensive to pay for wraparound care for eldest at school plus two in childcare. Plus, it was very obvious eldest wasn’t ready for school, so we decided I’d just take some time out and carry on pre-school life. Initially, it was just for a year at a time, until eldest was ready, but he’s never been and will be going to college in Sept. The thought of our lovely, easy life being over, combined with eldest growing up, is filling me with dread, so I reckon teaching again will help prevent he having too much time to dwell. How did you cope with them growing up????

Don’t want to derail the thread but quick question
I have a few months before starting my new job and I’m trying to stay motivated to maintain a routine whilst off. Any tips for that? ..

Yes 4.5yrs. I have an interview next week. I’d just decided to wait until my youngest went to school and then try to get an admin position in a school. They’re badly paid but at least I’d be home for all of the holidays. Then the dept manager at the company I used to work for 6years ago called and invited me to apply for a job. Not sure I want it, I have to have one really but I just can’t be bothered. We live abroad and have no help or backup, 3 kids, long summer holidays. Grrr.

.. and I’m also doing a degree (4yrs down, yrs to go ) and lead coordinator/club admin volunteer for our sports club.

Me! I left teaching 14 years ago (TA-d for a few years since) and it's time to go back (I've just had a couple of years at home again).

I’ve had a 14 year break from teaching too, I just don’t know how to get back into it.

Lots of us ex teachers thinking of heading back to the classroom! Can I ask frugalkitty and shopaholic do you want to teach again, or is it a case of it being an easier option than retraining?

Tomato are your interviews this week or next week? Good luck with them. 😁

HerRoyal you sound like you’re already busy enough, without returning to work!

Frazzled I want to go back to it, it's what I am, but I also need a pension!

Royal one of the reasons I stopped was living away with no family or friends to help out, and when I had my second baby the nursery fees were more than I earned (part time, head of dept). My husband worked away from home so it was the right choice for us at the time, I just didn't realise how bad it would be for my pension.

I went back to work in September after being out for 5 years. Had about 4 interviews before getting my job and I'm really lucky to work term time and 30hrs a week (in education but not a teacher). The downside was that I wasn't able to take DS to his first day of school but DH did and that was lovely for them both. It's busy in the mornings getting everyone to breakfast club for 7:30am but we get lunches and bags ready the night before. I've also invested in a car windscreen cover as I don't have time to scrape ice off!!

Good luck everyone.

@permanentlyfrazzled1 sorry been busy and forgot to reply. Yes both interviews were this week, I think they went well wasn't too nervous so that was good. I have another interview on Monday which in theory would be better as it's local but means working every other weekend and bank holidays. Childcare isn't a problem but would much rather something when the kids are at school.