Does work related experience have an expiration date?

[Terribleluck]

I just found a role that is a carbon copy of what I used to do for 7 years. I was made redundant of that role 3.5 years ago. Would that seem like too long ago? My next role is relevant (but junior) and the following one is completely unrelated... Those 7 years are very, very niche though, but I'm worried they won't see it them as relevant.

I’ve just started a job after 4 years out of work, my experience was very much seen as valid despite being old.
I suppose some jobs rely on very up to the minute expertise (maybe if you work in social media or software development or something) but most don’t.

The obvious question they will ask is, why did you move into the most recent unrelated job ie are you really committed to this area… but if you have a good answer it shouldn’t be an issue.

The short answer is that there are not that many jobs that need those skills... So it was really get something half decent or wait forever until I found something that was a continuation of the career I built.

I definitely would see that as relevant, unless its something where, say, there are CPD requirements or a need to 'practice' the role regularly to keep your expertise. But I do a fair bit of recruiting and someone who had done an almost identical role previously would be very attractive.

I guess I'd want to know: why you'd left the previous job, why the next job was more junior, and whether there were any transferrable skills with the next job. Most people understand redundancy: I'd be clear in the cover letter, something like 'I greatly enjoyed my 7 years working in x, and would love the chance to return to this area of work. Following my redundancy (if you can add something here like 'due to the business getting sold/the department being restructured' something that makes it clear redundancy wasn't just about getting rid of you!) I took a role in X are which allowed me to build up the transferable skills of a, b and c which I think would apply in this role.' I'd definitely apply, just make sure to really flag that work experience on both your CV and cover letter so somebody skimming applications wouldn't skip over / downplay it.

Thanks @leaky I usually never mention my redundancy but I think I should this time!!

I would see that as relevant experience unless you need to update yearly etc. I have just started a job which I had over 8 years experience in but due to childcare I had 7 years out of that area.