Would you employ me?

[Chestnutsandsprouts]

Continuous employment since leaving uni, worked way up in last competitive industry to associate director/department leader level prior to maternity leave.

I didn't return from maternity leave for a variety of reasons, although I did want to stay home longer too. My hours and commute meant I returned at 7.30pm earliest Mon-Fri and job could not be done in less or part time hours. At the time I was due to return my DH's FIL was diagnosed with terminal illness and needed care, and DH also begun to suffer from clinical depression which he has now recovered from and hit us out of the blue as it wasn't anything he'd had any trouble with before. We also found out DC would need a fairly major operation/s and weren't sure when it would be although as it happens it will probably be next year now.

DC1 is 2.5 and I'm now due DC2 soon, which wasn't entirely as planned although we absolutely do want a DC2. DH job is touch wood secure and I do have a personal financial security net, we both have life and illness cover.

I'd be looking to return to employment when DC2 is 12 months so that will be about 3.5 years out. I had started some voluntary work which ended with lockdown 1.0 but will look for more.

Although we've been very very lucky and I'm extremely grateful for last couple of years I'm pretty worried now about finding employment with economic situation and wonder if I've made a big misjudgement that will be hard to explain on interview, although I do believe it was the best choice for my family at the time. I'd not necessarily go into the details but just be matter of fact about a career break to raise a family and am not expecting to return to the same level.

I try not to open SAHM threads on here because I suppose I feel very insecure about my choices (though DH is very supportive and I am personally happy with them) but last night I did during a moment of late pregnancy insomnia and worrying again about my future employability. I've no expectations of anything being easy and am prepared to put in work again, it just sometimes seems like all doom and gloom after time out!

Should obviously be continuous employment after leaving uni up to when I had DC1

It depends on what your previous job was and whether it will have "moved on" in the last 3-4 years so that you'd be disadvantaged when applying for jobs against others who hadn't had time out of the workplace and were up to date with the latest skills?

In some respects though you are more employable because presumably you will have completed your family with DC2 and won't be going off on maternity leave again unlike someone else who hasn't started their family yet?

In addition to volunteering, could you see if there are any Boards looking for govenors? Either in an industry you are familiar with, or even the local primary schools? It's a very PT option to "keep a hand in"

It sounds like a very typical length career break to me. Not so long that it’ll be that difficult to get back in. What industry are you in?

Property. There are legislative changes that have happened in that period but I've kept up with them and think it would be reasonably achievable to bring technical knowledge up to scratch prior to interviewing.

That said I'm quite open to starting again in another industry if that's also a possibility. There's a career change I'd really love to do but it would mean returning to education and after doing sums in the long term I don't think it would be worth it even if I'd enjoy it. Maybe in much later life if we can afford it.

Yes, you'll be hired. But not at the level you left at.

I've just hired 2 senior candidates, both had 3+ years out of paid work and both have requested part time hours, and got it.

These candidates are at the same level, but it's local government so salary is much lower but they'll have flexibility and work close to home, as they both wanted.

I agree with @ReefTeeth in general. If you have kept you contacts and skill base up then you will find a job, but probably not at the same level as before (I won't comment on fairness etc as is a separate thread).

Once you return you need to prove yourself like your colleagues.

The longer you leave it, the more difficult it is as your skills diminish the longer you leave it

Depends. You've got eversuch a lot to say about your family situation but not so much about why anyone should employ you.

What are you offering?

Thank you, this is encouraging. Absolutely not expecting to go back in at same level but to get a foot back in the door would be great

@Chamberlai I'm explaining the family situation here but I probably wouldn't really mention much about it in an actual interview. Appreciate my title was "would you employ me" though so understand your question!

I can get the job done very well technically with figures and feedback to support that, but also have two years of experience leading a successful team having made a lot of changes to bring the team from where they were to somewhere much better - all backed up with figures and feedback from internal and external clients and also my own team, most of which I've been given approval to use in this kind of situation but obviously I'd need to check closer to the time.

Every job l went for before getting my current one said explain any gaps in employment history - l was made redundant after dd was born so took another few months which meant l didn't work for 18 months (although was only unemployed for half that time) so just said l was raising my family - perfectly acceptable reason imo.

Yes,I would.

Do NOT spoil your time at home with the kids worrying. They're only little once - do your best to make the most of it.

Doesn't hurt to think about what industry you'd like to go into or if you want a career change etc when you're doing some of the mindless 'at home' tasks.

Your pessimism is making you be more than realistic, you will be fine.
Out of interest “There's a career change I'd really love to do” what is it?

I have the same problem OP. Been out of work 4 years with DC and can’t get back in. Tried applying but employers say they have other applicants with more recent work experience. I’m now looking at self employment because the only way I can get a job is to hire myself.

Frankly I have yet to meet someone who has a 'perfect' CV.

It is so common for people to have to take time off to raise a family, cope with illness and so on that it would not bother me.

I have hired people who turned out to be fantastic employees and who admitted to starting businesses that failed, had to switch careers or to needing to have time off top cope with illness, kids or whatever.

I think companies who only hire people who have a 'perfect', continuous track record of traditional employment are deluding themselves and missing out on talent.