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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that if all us 'unemployable' mums pool our skills...

100 replies

KissingPotion · 11/02/2015 07:45

We could build a fantastic company and take over the world, or sell ourselves out for billions!!

I decided a while ago to go back into the 'real' world after trying/working at home for 4yrs, (which I love but not making enough money).
Apparently I'm too old for the jobs I could do and want but as I've also had no recent 'proper' job experience,
I'm stuffed!
Volunteer jobs near me are shite.
BahHumbug.

OP posts:
Bowlersarm · 11/02/2015 07:57

It's a difficult position to be in isn't it. Hmm, I'm lucky enough to not need to work as dh earns enough and is supportive whether I want to sah or work, but I've been out of job market for about 15 years and totally lacking confidence about it. Do you get to the interview stage OP?

Original poster
KissingPotion · 11/02/2015 08:09

I've had a couple of interviews, and got to last 2/3 candidates but jobs went to younger more experienced candidates and while I agree 'best person for the job' I just felt a bit old and useless.
Luckily I am also supported by DH in either choice of working or sah,
I just felt like a personal change of pace, something different etc.
But I seem to read a lot of people in similar situations hence the post Smile

OP posts:
PumpkinsMummy · 11/02/2015 08:21

Would it be worth you doing some courses OP? Perhaps something you have always been interested in but didn't have time to study. I have been told (I am at OU) that employers look favourably on those who study in their own time as it shows excellent time management and commitment. For my own sake, it gives my brain something non mummy related to do to keep sharp, and lets me fulfill a long held wish to go to uni. There are loads of courses you could do and probably some funding you could access as well.

Original poster
KissingPotion · 11/02/2015 08:41

Funnily enough Pumpkin my local uni has an open day soon and I was going to pay a visit.
I wasn't sure about funding if your OH has a reasonable income though, I wouldn't necessarily expect him to do it. I need to look into that though.
Trouble is, I have No idea what I'd like to retrain/study.

OP posts:
newnamefor15 · 11/02/2015 13:53

You can't give up after a couple of unsuccessful interviews. If you are getting through to that stage, then you can't be too far off what they are looking for.

Recent training is good when you are returning. Vision2Learn do some free online courses, that are done through proper colleges and you end up with a qualification, in generally useful areas such as Admin and IT.

EatShitDerek · 11/02/2015 14:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
KissingPotion · 11/02/2015 15:50

I'm not giving up Newname, luckily I'm not desperate but I just feel like I'm wasting my time atm. I am thinking about brushing up on training though I've been having a look and thanks for those details.

That's it exactly Derek, I've applied for loads, but there's so many people applying for the sorts of things I could do though, that I have more going against than for me atm. I hope you find what you're looking for soon too.

OP posts:
BoozeyTuesday · 11/02/2015 22:31

This is why many women struggle for years to balance home and work, to avoid giving up their careers. It is tough but usually worth it the long term. You can't expect to have the same career prospects as someone who has consistently worked.

MrsKoala · 11/02/2015 23:15

6 years ago (when i met DH) i was quite high up the pay scale on £38k doing a job i loved. Then the recession hit and i was made redundant and out of work for 9 months. The only job i could find in my field was part time but i also loved it. Redundant again as the recession really bit (jobs were public sector/education). Had to get a job on £21k in a call centre. I was shite at it and i hated it. Had a baby 2.5 yrs ago and another 5 months ago.

I've got no chance at all of ever working in my previous role again. My skills have stagnated, they want way more for way less money now, so couldn't even cover childcare - even if i did find a rare job still existing. I have no time or money to retrain. So i'm fucked. DH keeps saying 'when you go back to work...' He lives in a dream where i walk back into a job at almost £40k. Hmm

morethanpotatoprints · 11/02/2015 23:25

I don't believe any of you are fucked at all.
There are always people on here who say they got jobs as good as what they had before and some soon get promoted.
maybe going back to a high powered career isn't an option but most people who have these don't usually leave, unless made redundant.
For most people wanting a job it is possible, not always immediately but it happens.
Good luck to you all.
sorry i have no suggestions, well maybe except for management.
friend did this and ended up as a hotel manager on a huge income, after many years as a sahm. Grin

Original poster
KissingPotion · 12/02/2015 10:41

Thanks for the messages.
I'm not really expecting or even possibly wanting to go into a high power career, I think the main trouble where I am is too many better placed people going for too few jobs.
Being somewhat remote also unless we get a second car, (I gave up my car 3yrs ago thinking I'd be lovely and green) Grin transport is quite difficult too.

OP posts:
gotthemoononastick · 12/02/2015 12:53

I am eagerly waiting to hear about the new chocolate factory that is going to be run by Mumsnetters!

It was discussed in a 'nasty tasting chocolate' and easter egg thread.

So hoping this will happen!Imagine worldwide distributing from homes and lovely ethical ingredients and jobs for all!(dreaming here).

IdaBlankenship · 12/02/2015 12:59

I am apparently unemployable! I don't even get to interview stage, but before I had kids I was quite high up in a specialised field. I do regret not staying part-time after maternity leave.
Now we have moved to a rural location, I think I have no-bloody-chance of getting a job, as I am applying for more generic admin-y type jobs and am up against bright young things who are more flexible (in a non-yoga sense) than me.
It is very frustrating.

Original poster
KissingPotion · 12/02/2015 13:31

Ida, this is more or less exactly the same situation I'm in, lol, it is frustrating, I am thinking of doing some extra training but still wonder if it's worth it. Even to get me out & about a bit more.

OP posts:
Original poster
KissingPotion · 12/02/2015 13:31

O moononastick, I missed that :)

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 12/02/2015 13:33

True. I was " too experienced" but without enough recent experience.
Started my own business instead - work my own hours and earn plenty. Not trying to recruit as it's not a Forever Usborne Temple Juice at Home or whatever type business by the way !!!!

notsogoldenoldie · 12/02/2015 13:40

Me too. I'm 55. I'm spitting feathers about it, as I have a perfect cv pre-dc. I agree with the retraining, though, and perhaps some volunteering. I've been retraining to teach piano (by accident, really) and I'm slowly getting there. And I love it. I'd like a "proper" job, though, but I know my age as well as lack of recent experience is against me.

funnyossity · 12/02/2015 13:41

Decent chocolate. I'm in!

IdaBlankenship · 12/02/2015 13:45

Trouble is, the longer you are out of work, the harder it is to get back in. And my confidence is not exactly sky-high anymore.
Hopping, working from home in my own business would be ideal, but I cannot think of anything I can do (which considering i have quite a diverse skillset seems insane).

funnyossity · 12/02/2015 13:51

Derek I've seen your previous posting about job applications - just keep on going. It's so competitive out there that you mustn't take it personally. (I know that's easier said than done.) Flowers

Lilymaid · 12/02/2015 13:56

I was told by a specialist agency that I was virtually unemployable after being an SAHM for several years. They eventually found me a temp job in my specialist area and I have been there now for over 10 years in a professional role doing exactly what I had wanted to get back to doing.
I was often asked back when I was whether I could manage Word, Excel, Outlook and that strange thing called the Internet! Obviously such things were far too advanced for people who had been SAHMs.

IdaBlankenship · 12/02/2015 14:08

Depressingly, Lilymaid, the internet didn't exist when I did my degree Shock, although I have caught on fairly quickly since I spend quite a large proportion of my time pissing about on it Grin

morethanpotatoprints · 12/02/2015 14:50

I think it is tough for everybody atm and believe you are no worse off for time out as a sahp.
Obviously scaling the dizzy heights may be out of the question if you worked in a field that has seen much change, but some jobs are pretty much the same.
there are people who have always worked, been made redundant recently and can't find work, it is not good atm.
I wouldn't take it personally or put too much store on these who say its hard after being a sahm, its hard per se.

Kahlua4me · 12/02/2015 14:57

I too would struggle to return to my old job. I gave up nursing 10 years ago when ds was born and it has all changed too much to return. We didn't even use computers at work back then!

I often think that there must be a whole army of extremely capable mums that want to work and are but the jobs just aren't there anymore....

NormHonal · 12/02/2015 15:03

Unfortunately some jammy cow already set up Mumsnet . Crown

I often think this, OP. With the women I know who are either SAHMs or in lesser jobs than their qualifications, if we saddled our collective brainpower and what's-left-of-our-energy, we could rule the world probably set up and run a damn fine business.

All I need is an idea...sadly lacking due to post-natal mush-brain.

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