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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:
sportinguista · 13/02/2015 16:30

Graphic Designer here!

I am recently self employed due to difficult work situation and wondering if I will ever be able to get back into work. I am probably not an attractive prospect despite 20 years experience as I have a child and am not a young graduate who can be relied upon to work all hours!

Beginning to wonder if even Aldi would have me!

Yes, yes to MILE! Grin

IdaBlankenship · 13/02/2015 16:58

Notso fab idea. I'm in! MILE me up!

Original poster
KissingPotion · 13/02/2015 17:00

So we have our MN Party,
Our first campaign, MILE,
A non pink van,
And we need full manifesto Wink

Oh dear, yes I actually did a YTS, lol.

and good on Morgan Stanley.

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PrimalLass · 13/02/2015 17:40

I've just accepted a job that I'm over-qualified for, but it's slightly different to what I did before. I've been self employed for 6 years, so want a taster of how it is to be back in the workplace. Although I'm sad that I can't get a career job, and it's hard to take it on the chin, I am trying to formulate a plan. I've had a few interviews and go to pieces, so am very lucky to have got this one.

bilbodog · 13/02/2015 17:46

I got back into the workplace by taking a Saturday job in an Estate Agents (I know you all hate me) but have always had an interest in property and now, 14 years after that Saturday job, I have a full time role in an up market agency and love it. OK - I'm not earning the money I was before and neither is husband now so we have had to down-size etc. I will never regret being a SAHM to my 2 DCs.

Arsenic · 13/02/2015 18:14

I've been self employed for 6 years, so want a taster of how it is to be back in the workplace

Me too Primal. Bloomin' hard going. I thought the economy was allegedly picking up Sad

notsogoldenoldie · 14/02/2015 09:00

I think one of the problems we face is that help, where available, is targeted at those who are claiming benefits. If you're not, you're not a priority, because you're invisible as far as statistics go. I'm in Wales, and I've found some information on a new Careers Hub, which has just been launched for over-25s. I'm going to try it! And, I'm going to lobby the Minister about lack of targeted help for sah returners.

I'll let you know how I get on.

juneau · 14/02/2015 09:15

I agree that there is very little assistance in returning to work for those of us who are either not on benefits or former-high-flyers. If you used to work at a high professional level before you took your career break, fine, there are paths back into your professional life and several big firms are now offering 'returnships'. But if you want to get back into a mid-level sort of job after several years out, if you want to work PT and not be paid an absolute pittance, its very hard indeed. And let's face it, the vast majority of women who want to return to work fall into this category.

I went to the MN Workfest last year and the advice was to network, network, network. We're not going to get jobs by firing off a CV and a cover letter because that X number of years out of the workplace leaps off the page and ensures our application ends up in the bin in favour of those with more recent experience. But if you get someone you know to recommend you or give you a chance to get in the door, then you'll be judged on your merits, not how many years you've been away.

Bazza2 · 14/02/2015 10:29

Joining in please. I was made redundant a year ago and since then have only had temporary or part-time retail and hospitality jobs. Not long after the redundancy we decided to move to a rural area and there isn't really much around and certainly nothing in my pre-redundancy area of work. Any jobs in my local area are either minimum wage or university professor jobs. I am also expecting a baby in May but I've heard a rumour that babies are actually quite time consuming so it might be tricky to retrain as anything for a while yet.

Original poster
KissingPotion · 14/02/2015 10:37

It's nice to see a few positive stories,
And if the economy is picking up there's still a lot of people for not enough jobs.
A Saturday job, even a part time one would be nice, unfortunately I live in a University town, and there's a large college also, so these kinds of jobs tends to go to the 'younguns'

I've done the 'network network' thing for 2-3 yrs now, and I've done so much for free and favours I've stopped doing so much as people really do want lots for nothing, so got a bit fed up of that too :/

And Congrats & welcome Bazza! Grin

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Original poster
KissingPotion · 14/02/2015 10:38

That sounds interesting notsoGO,
Good luck, yes let us know Smile

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notsogoldenoldie · 15/02/2015 10:49

kissing I'm impressed by your networking. I'm struggling to network as most of my old contacts are no longer around and I lack so much confidence that I can barely speak! Pathetic, really.

Lovely to hear success stories, though.

Anyone fancy helping me draft a letter to my Minister?

Original poster
KissingPotion · 15/02/2015 12:27

Oh NotSo, it's not pathetic at all, don't feel sad.
Re the letter, I think my DH may poss be able to help with this, if you'd like to PM me an email address I could ask him, he's well into politics and he's a writer. Smile

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Original poster
KissingPotion · 15/02/2015 12:29

Ok, I asked DH about help and he is WELL up for it and even into us making it a PROPER campaign!
Anyone else seriously in??

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Original poster
KissingPotion · 15/02/2015 12:31

He says
'MILE' is
'Fucking awesome' Grin

OP posts:
notsogoldenoldie · 15/02/2015 12:33

*kissing: that's FAB! Thank you so much. I'm pm-ing you now. Would love a proper campaign!

Arsenic · 15/02/2015 13:28

A campaign about capable, talented, employable women, run by someone's husband, will be open to a good thorough lampooning Kissing.

Original poster
KissingPotion · 15/02/2015 13:47

Advice not 'running' I would've thought quite acceptable, we're open to offers from suitably qualified knowledgable women though obviously.
I'll take all the help I can get regardless of gender, there are also male parents in the same situation, unfortunately 'PILE' (parents) doesn't quite work Wink

OP posts:
CoupdeFoudre · 15/02/2015 14:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

notsogoldenoldie · 15/02/2015 17:35

Anyone tell me how to send a pm? Blush. Hopelessly incompetent sahm here, definitely not a MILE at mo..

OneWaySystemBlues · 15/02/2015 19:04

I'd be in. In in a similar position. Very patchy work history, due to many things, including having a child with a disability which has made working difficult. Now my son is slightly more independent, I've not got enough to do, I want to work - not necessarily full time - but I do have skills. I just have a huge lack of confidence these days and don't even consider things I used to because I just feel too useless. It's really hit me recently, as I've applied for a few jobs that didn't require many skills and not even got interviews. I'm facing another 20+ years before retirement age FFS! I do a very small part time job one day a week and have applied to volunteer and am considering doing some bookkeeping training - but I'm feeling very much on the shelf!

AvonCallingBarksdale · 15/02/2015 19:52

notsogoldenoldie, choose the poster you want to message, find a post they've written and then click on Message poster at the top right-hand corner of their post.
I'm in. Can't believe all the talent that's going to waste - I haven't heard back from a job I applied for , where the closing date was Friday 6th. It's a job that I was essentially doing pre-kids and pre-training and I know I fulfilled everything on the person spec, so can only imagine I've heard nothing because I've been out of the workplace, albeit retraining. So effing depressing Sad

fancyanotherfez · 15/02/2015 20:02

To the people who were self employed and are finding it hard to get back into the workplace, why don't you carry on with your self employed work? does it not count with employers that you were working se? I'm not asking to be arsy, I've just gone self employed after working for an employer for the last 20 years. I was never a sahm, but I'm a bit worried now that I may find myself unemployable by going self employed.

Original poster
KissingPotion · 15/02/2015 20:07

Hi everyone, great to have you all aboard :) although it's by no means just my idea.
I'm mulling things over at the moment and researching stuff.
If anyone has any other ideas or thinks they can help/add anything please contact me.
Things may or may not get interesting, lol. Let's see.
NotSo, I've pm'd you Grin

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Original poster
KissingPotion · 15/02/2015 20:10

FancyAnother - In my case, I've been doing an arty/creative type business do not particularly mainstream, so I think this has added to the problem I'm having I think, but it seems It there's others in the same situation even with good previous careers, not necessarily s.e though, not too sure.

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