If you were a SAHM for a long time, how did you return to work?

[MLIAFM]

I’ve been a SAHM for over 10 years, it wasn’t planned to be that long, but circumstances meant it had to be that long.
My qualifications are out of date and im not going to be able to return to the line of work I was in before. All voluntary and paid jobs want 2 references and I don’t have any that I can use.
I’ve solely been a SAHM, so no courses, no PTFA, no church etc that I could use. My previous job I worked for an agency and did lots of temporary placements, so I’m not really remembered by them.
What do I do?
If anyone has been through similar, how did you return to work after an extended break?

Thank you

Could you volunteer in a charity shop a couple of days a week? I've done this for a couple of months and gotten a reference from my manager. They didn't need references for me to take the volunteer role, or they asked for someone who knew me on a personal level (family friend for example).

I’ve looked into the charity shop in my town and they all want 2 references, but I only have one personal reference I could reliably use, and no professional ones anymore.

Do you have friends that could give you a personal reference for you to get some volunteering work?

could you enrol for a course that can help you get back into work or help you get back into your previous occupation?

Do you have school qualifications, did you go to university?

what was your previous job? People might be able to give you more advice if we know what you trained in previously

Supply Dinner lady is how I got my toe back in.

I was out of work for 23 years and recently managed to find a job. It took me around 2-3 years to find a company that would give me a chance though. Most just weren't interested because I had no recent experience and couldn't provide work references.

I feel like I hit the jackpot with the company I'm with now. They're really great to work for and I WFH full time.

Honestly all you can do is keep trying. I was very disheartened for a long time until I got my current job.

It took me around 2-3 years to find a company that would give me a chance though. Most just weren't interested because I had no recent experience
Same here! I was out of work 15 years, I could have provided references but the company which offered me a job didn't even ask! I start next month 😃
Keep applying, be honest either on cv or cover letter as to why you've been out of a job and hope you strike lucky sooner than we did!

I was a sahm for 12 years. I managed to get a job in retail. They didn't ask for references. I've since changed jobs and I don't think the new place asked for references either. Just keep applying.

Some large companies run are ‘return to work’ and ‘return ship’ type programmes which are aimed at exactly this kind of scenario. Not sure where off the top off my head but worth researching in your own time.

Or you might have friends who are in a position to help bring you in with a few weeks’ work experience in their organisations?

I went to Uni as a mature student and got a degree. My qualifications were out of date but I did a foundation level to get onto my chosen degree course. I then did work experience relelvant to my degree and became a freelance student rep for the firm that eventually became my full time employer.

I applied and got a job in a school. I’d been volunteering in my children’s school for years and they wrote a reference. Volunteering is often suggested on here.

I got a p/t job in a restaurant/pub a couple of years into my SAHM. Ended up going full time when my youngest started full time school and they offered me a supervisor role and I’ve worked my way up to assistant manager now, 12 years on.

was previously in the NHS for 16 years in research / training / investigation / risk management/ clinical governance type roles. So not linked at all 😂

I love my job, although I’m struggling juggling the anti social hours now. There are a few different opportunities within hospitality if I took the time to consider my options going forward.

If you volunteer at your child’s school in the classroom regularly they might not be allowed to give you a reference (I asked and mine can’t) but it’s something to put on your CV and they will do a DBS check for you so you will have that too

I was in a similar situation. I volunteered in my children's schools.

I had 7 years off. Started back at the bottom locally and part-time. They then supported my Prof quals. I'd kept in touch with former bosses and they gave me references. I did a lot of voluntary stuff in those 7 years. PTA, Sunday School, ran a football club, treasurer of a voluntary network.

I made one application and got the job although I'd got my foot in the door as an hourly paid invigilator.

I spent 15 years as a SAHM with 4 kids and returned to work 3-4 years ago. For most of those 15 years, I volunteered as a parent helper and governor at my kids’ primary school. I now work as support staff in a secondary school. When returning to work, my referees were the headteacher at the primary school where I was and still am a governor and a senior ex colleague from my previous job 15 years earlier. The school seemed happy with that.

I returned to work last year after 13 years out of the workplace. It was for exam invigilating, so a job that's always on the lookout for staff. They asked for references and I gave them 2 which were 13 and 16 years previous!
In our area exam invigilators are in desperate need so I think if I didn't have references they'd of took me on anyway in all honesty.

Just keep applying imo. I was a SAHM for 15 yrs. Took me 6 mths of applying to get my job (retail), no cv or references needed. Been there nearly 4 years now.

After 10 years got a job in a supermarket. Get paid £12.45 an hour and 10% discount 15% on Friday and Saturday. 10% discount off Argos 15% at every pay day. Free food on a shift.

Get some Personal references- people with responsible jobs who have known you many years.
Don’t bother volunteering or anything unless you want to do it anyway- their reference for your volunteer work won’t make the difference .

my mum went back after 20 years (and she was 60) police officer friends did fantastic personal references for her

Push agency for a reference you did work for them and make them money they can at least confirm you worked for them

I had 7 years out. Worked out which local firms I would target and just went on their website for jobs all the time and applied for anything suitable. Took me a year, but I went back at a similar level. Was a big adjustment though.

Very slowly.
It took me years. I did various volunteering roles, including running clubs in local libraries. Eventually got a zero hours contract as a library assistant.
Did some qualifications in admin, customer support and Office IT.
After many rejections got a part time job at the same council. Managed to shift from part time to full time after 6 years. Recently got a promotion.
Honestly I was so skint and sad for so long, but couldn't catch a break. Youngest was 11yo when I finally went full time.

Thanks for the replies. It’s nice to read that some of you have managed to get back into the workforce with a big gap.

It’s hard because I haven’t been a SAHM just because of being a mum, it’s been for health reasons too.

I’ve got GCSEs, A levels and a degree, but because of my health I’ve only been a mum for these past 10+ years. I’m a lot better now but I’ve got nothing to draw on because of it, my degree is no longer worth the paper it’s written on and I have one friend who would be in a position to be a personal reference for me.

It’s frustrating wanting to work, but they make it so hard to get back into.

You've got this! I was a SAHM for 10 years when I decided it was time to go back to work and I got a great job! You'll find a job, work hard and do your best for a bit so that you can develop references for your next job. Don't stress about this job being the perfect fit. Make sure it has the basics so you can do it for a year (easy commute, good hours, etc), then reassess and decide if you want to stay longer. You have to be your own hype man because you've been working your ass off at home taking care of everyone else for a long time and now you get to do something FOR YOU. You can do it and you'll be so proud of yourself. You got this!!!

How did you get references to apply for jobs after being out of work?

Im still in the same position - no job 😔