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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:
Kahlua4me · 12/02/2015 15:11

Perhaps we need to start up our own mumsnet political party. There should be enough of us to easily cover the country and we have enough skills with running a house, time keeping, money management, as well as all educational and work skills. Should be a piece of cake....

Ilovereadingbooks · 12/02/2015 15:20

Same here. I posted on work thread, most people were supportive but overall volunteering for something came out tops. Troube is i need some cash really. I have low self esteem, i know how you feel. I am nearly 50 now and feel on the scrapheap! Running a home , being a decent supportive parent means nothing in the workplace it seems - just my opinion. Good luckmwith your job hunt.

Original poster
KissingPotion · 12/02/2015 17:02

Ha, I definitely agree with the Mumsnet political party!!!
After recently being very undecided who to vote for (for the first time in my life) and after watching 'inside the commons' I reckon we could totally rule the country, if not the world!!

(Lol at normHonal)

OP posts:
Original poster
KissingPotion · 12/02/2015 17:04

And I agree with Ida on the losing a bit of confidence, especially at the I.v's I've done, I'm not stupid but I felt clumsy and arrg...ancient.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 12/02/2015 17:30

Can we not have a pink bus though for our political party - think we can engage the wimmin without one!!!

Namehanger · 12/02/2015 17:39

Returned to my previous role as a solicitor after 10 years.

Had had a couple of P/T jobs previously. Did a couple of refresher courses, 2 interviews and now working F/T and enjoying it.

But live in South East so low unemployment and shortage in my speciality.

Ilovereadingbooks · 12/02/2015 17:43

People i know who have managed both career and childcare have had husbands who were around a lot ( mine wasnt) or family that could help out too ( like a lot of women, i didnt have any family who could help out). Nurseries and other wraparound care once at school was non existant 17 odd years ago. I like to think this has improved, it seems harder to find childcare once they were at school. That was my experience. Wish it had been different but there you go.

Stevie77 · 12/02/2015 17:48

You're not wasting your time! FWIW even those in employment get the same feedback following unsuccessful interviews. It's just the bog standard answer: someone else has the right/relevant skills/experience. You just weren't a good match.

Kahlua4me · 12/02/2015 18:10

Definitely not a pink bus! We just need something with Mumsnet logo on the side

AvonCallingBarksdale · 12/02/2015 18:19

One of my biggest regrets is not biting the bullet and gritting my teeth to hold on to my job, on a part time basis. I have loved being at home with the DC, but now I want/need to get back to work. I volunteer at an agency, which I love, in the field that I retrained in, but there is no paid work there and paid work is what I want now. FFS, I worked in a professional field for 12 years pre-DC... HAve had 2 interviews recently, neither of which I got Sad. Am currently waiting to hear if I've got an interview for another job, which I think I did a great application form for. Is it appropriate these days to ask for feedback if you don't get an interview??

NormHonal · 12/02/2015 18:25

Sod the successful business then, I will pin my hopes on the Mumsnet political party sans pink bus and focus on world domination after all! Yay! [Lidl champagne]

(Sorry, not meaning to be flippant.)

I'm also feeling this, not yet been for interviews but really not seeing how anyone would employ me. My DH works hours that are totally incompatible with helping at home/with DCs so I would have to spend every penny I earned, and possibly more besides, on childcare.

It's ridiculous. There are so many intelligent, educated, motivated women unable to contribute to the economy and to society. [scrapheap emoticon]

Original poster
KissingPotion · 12/02/2015 18:32

I think some people find it acceptable to ask for feedback Avon.

Lol, one of us must be a graphic designer or something to come up with a great logo. :)

South East is where I am, and not a lot about round here Namehanger, friend of mine in a similar boat.

I know I'm not really wasting my time I just wish it was a bit easier.

I think I might be going the childminding for my daughter soon though ILoveReading, she's been talking about returning to work so looks like I might need to help out there!

OP posts:
Original poster
KissingPotion · 12/02/2015 18:33

Oh and Yes, no pink bus!
How about a nice Teal shade and a bit of gold :)

OP posts:
PilchardPrincess · 12/02/2015 18:34

something like this?

They are based in London though. But have some stuff on their website.

This is a recognised problem!

There are other sites like capability jane for part-time work for people with professional type skills if that is helpful to anyone.

Admit have only skimmed thread!

Keep at it though.

WannaBe · 12/02/2015 18:51

it is utterly soul destroying. before I had ds I worked in a management role, fwiw I'm not even looking to get back into management - any job will do.

Since having ds I have qualified as a life coach but coaching is considered a luxury which a lot of people won't justify affording in the current economy. And voluntary jobs are much harder to come by these days because volunteering is seen so much as a way back into work that voluntary organisations have clamped down on the process to weed out the people who are only going in to get current experience on their cv, so applying for a voluntary role is pretty much the same as applying for a paid role, with references and interviews etc all required....

I am VI, and in a recent survey nine out of ten employers said they wouldn't employ someone with a visual impairment, but I actually think that it's my previous sahm status which has gone against me in applications, they haven't had a chance to discriminate for VI yet. Wink and of course I don't know who was surveyed, because obviously that could have influenced the answers. office based companies/call centres would probably give a more positive response whereas hair dressers and taxi companies might be a bit more reluctant. Grin

Original poster
KissingPotion · 12/02/2015 18:58

I've seen the women like us site but not the other one, thanks.

I totally agree about the volunteering situation though Wannabe, someone I know volunteers in a charity shop and she was saying a few months ago they had quite a few 'over skilled' people wanting to apply who had been out of work for a while and only really wanted it as a stepping stone, to better things.

OP posts:
Bbbum · 12/02/2015 19:13

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....

^^ I sometimes do the school run with a friend (my DDs aren't old enough for school yet) and think this every time. There are hundreds and thousands of people with untapped oomph standing in playgrounds every day collecting children.

Sure - some can't/won't/don't want to work but it just feels such a waste of talents.

Sure - it's really important to be there for your kids too, I get that but there has to be a way of doing something about this.

IdaBlankenship · 12/02/2015 20:23

Normhonal I am in the same boat, DH's work means that I can only work during school hours, there are not many jobs that offer that flexibility and those that do are so fiercely fought for that I have no chance.
I have been looking to get back into work for a couple of years now, not a sniff of an interview Sad

notsogoldenoldie · 13/02/2015 11:40

Perhaps we should start a campaign? One thing I've found -and I'm sure I'm not the only one- is that there is a lack of support for returners to work. It's hard to get back on the greasy pole once you're off it. So, what about campaigning for a sort of "returner sahp apprenticeship". There would be Government funding available for a returning adult, set rates of pay-or an allowance-guaranteed training and the possibility of a job at the end. It would be a proper contract, with terms and conditions. So a bit like an internship, but not just cheap labour. It's win-win: company would get skilled people, sahps would get that vital experience and work experience to get them back on the ladder.

Ilovereadingbooks · 13/02/2015 14:47

Not, thats a great idea.

minifingers · 13/02/2015 14:58

Feeling everyone's frustrations!

I'm in the same position at 48. I've kept working in a related field in work which I love and is well paid, but can never be more than a (very) part-time self-employed job.

I love the idea of a chocolate factory.

The government don't give two shits about those of us with partners on decent salaries because we're not claiming benefits.

minifingers · 13/02/2015 14:59

Someone needs to set up an agency.

'MILE' instead of 'MILF' - stands for 'mother I'd love to employ'. ;-)

Original poster
KissingPotion · 13/02/2015 15:37

Yes yes! NotsogoldenOldie, me & DH had the same conversation last week about almost exactly this!
I'd love to do something like that and it would also mean you could go into a different genre of work perhaps.

The MILE Campaign!
Grin

OP posts:
notsogoldenoldie · 13/02/2015 16:08

Glad someone agrees! A bit like being on the YTS-remember that-only for returning parents-the PTS maybe?

I suspect mini is right, though-unless you're claiming benefits, no-one gives a stuff.

Saxie007 · 13/02/2015 16:28

I think Megan Stanley had a post-children return to work programme. It sounded bet interesting. Perhaps this is the way forward.
www.wherewomenwork.com/organisations/blog.asp?bid=102#.VN4lw4aQHCQ