Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it's impossible to get a job after being a SAHM?

88 replies

NotAHope · 15/04/2015 21:18

I've been a lurker for a while but needed to post this because I am just so frustrated Sad
My dh is in the military and is away a LOT. I've stayed at home with our ds for the last 5 years and we are finally in an area that is not in the middle of nowhere.
I've been applying for jobs for a year. The only thing I won't do is telesales (been there, done that) but nobody will even give me an interview Sad
I was in the military myself for nearly 10 years and have done a good few jobs since I left, all of them I did well!
But nearly every job I apply for initially asks why I have been out of work for 5 years, and when they find out I can only really do school hours, due to the unpredictability of dh's job they don't want to know.
I'm a keen worker. I work hard and I am desperate for a life outside of raising my ds.
I just don't know what else I can do. I thought about voluntary work but we are at the stage where we need two wages coming in, even just part time!
I'm feeling really offended! Especially when I go to some of the places I have applied to and see some of the people they employ. Usually students. I'm guessing because they are cheaper to employ and can work evenings and weekends.
Sorry for war and peace, just feeling sorry for myself..

OP posts:
TheFallenMadonna · 15/04/2015 21:21

Might it be the school hours rather than the SAHM thing. Childminder? After school club?

WidowWadman · 15/04/2015 21:25

I don't think it's so much an issue that you've been a SAHM for five years, but your limited availability now. Is there no childcare available at all where you are which would enable you to work outside school hours?

Esssss · 15/04/2015 21:25

Would you think of starting a business from home? Do you have any skills you could pass on by having classes or anything? It's really frustrating though I do get that.

Jackieharris · 15/04/2015 21:26

Don't just look for school hours.

Find out about after school clubs and local CMs.

Then look for jobs in those extended hours.

Voluntary work now will help you.

Original poster
NotAHope · 15/04/2015 21:29

The childcare isn't the problem tbh, now ds is in school, it's actually finding a job that wants me after 5 years of being out of work, or who accepts that I can't work weekends or evening shifts because dh is never here and we are miles from family because we are posted down south.
It's probably me feeling a little bit entitled because we are here because this is where the military send us.

OP posts:
Hillingdon · 15/04/2015 21:34

I often go onto threads and when I state it's really difficult to get back into work after x number of years I get shouted down.

I think like others have said, don't tell potential employers what you cannot do. The school hours issue is going to be a real problem. I wouldn't employ you and what about school holidays. Would you expect to have them off too.

bookbag40 · 15/04/2015 21:34

Could you do some temping for a bit. I found this is a brilliant way to get a permanent role. In fact when I temped before it always led to an offer of a job within a company. It gives employers a chance to see what you can do and if you mention you are looking for something more permanent they will often keep you in mind. Even if you don't get offered a permanent position it will add recent work experience to your cv.
Are you applying for full time jobs as I can see that if you turn up for an interview for a 9-5 job saying you can only do school hours it may put them off.

Original poster
NotAHope · 15/04/2015 21:35

Just seen the other replies. Thanks guys.
A home business isn't a bad idea at all, I've never actually looked into it besides Avon, but I'm feeling productive so I will look into it.
Childminders I suppose would give me that extra bit of flexibility but I reckon it's a bit of a catch 22, find a job then a childminder for those hours or the other way around.
Applied for another one tonight so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed.

OP posts:
ragged · 15/04/2015 21:37

I got work after 8 yrs as a SAHM. You can do this.
What kind of jobs have you applied for?
Are you getting interviews at all?

Original poster
NotAHope · 15/04/2015 21:38

The school holiday thing I get, obviously I realise I would have to pay for childcare for those and I don't begrudge that at all. I wouldn't want them off.
By this rate, I'll probably get a brilliant job, be over the moon and we would end up moving again Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
NotAHope · 15/04/2015 21:42

Thanks ragged. That gives me hope. Not had any interviews, but for a long time I was quite picky and wanted to do things either related to my old jobs or where the hours would totally allow for my childcare, but the last couple of months I've gone all out and am applying for everything going and am going to cross the childcare bridge when I get to it.

OP posts:
simpson · 15/04/2015 21:42

It is hard and it took me 2 years.

I didn't want to go back to previous type job (sales) so did some voluntary work in my DC school & another local primary school & then was offered to apply for an LSA job in my DC school which is great as I don't need childcare.

The bonus is I love my job Grin

ragged · 15/04/2015 21:45

I had to go all out, too. Started applying for FT jobs and figured that somehow other people make it work. I haven't actually worked FT yet.

Thing creatively about what you'd like to do job wise ("career") going forward and what kind of jobs you could do to get on the path going in that direction. I did a lot better with my job apps when I had a clear picture where I was headed.

Are you producing a 'functional' cv tailored to each job app, they are all the rage.

ilovesooty · 15/04/2015 21:49

You do speak very disparagingly of the employees in these companies. I hope that isn't being conveyed to potential employers.

It is difficult to get the right post after some years out of work and I hope you get something soon.

PerspicaciaTick · 15/04/2015 21:52

I've been job hunting for 2years. It is tough. I'm currently doing some free training with vision2learn in the hope of looking more qualified and proactive. Good luck Flowers

BeaufortBelle · 15/04/2015 21:52

I managed it after seven years at home. A part-time job was advertised in the local paper in an area I was interested it. It was half time, ie, 18 hours a week and potentially fitted with school hours. I am talking now about 2004 and the caveat is that the salary, in London, was £8,000 and I had to start at the bottom again but I rationalised that was OK because as I could do it in school hours it meant there were no childcare costs and the job was probably worth closer to £12000 if I took that into account.

Anyway it all worked out and they paid for me to do some professional qualifications which in the fullness of time have allowed me to have got back on the ladder and to earn a reasonable salary.

ragged · 15/04/2015 21:53

Don't think it's disparaging if OP thinks she has a lot more to offer than a 19yo.

On that note... I did see myself like a new job starter. I started out working supply MSA up at the school and was willing to do all the types of jobs that a gormless no-qualifications 17yo would aim for. I was willing to start at the bottom & prove myself all over again. I hoped I'd get an accelerated path back to the type of work before and I suppose that is exactly how things worked out.

ragged · 15/04/2015 21:54

ps: who do you have lined up to give you references, OP?

EatShitDerek · 15/04/2015 21:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
NotAHope · 15/04/2015 21:57

Oh no ilovesooty, not at all, I promise I'm sweetness and light GrinI just feel a little bit discouraged when I think of the job I could be doing and I see teens doing it. I'm not jealous at all Wink
As far as I know my cv is a good one, a friend of mine, her job is a cv builder so she's given me some excellent tips and looked through it for me. And I do try and amend it to appeal to the job I've applied for.
I'm feeling a lot more optimistic after the replies on here and I'm just gonna keep applying and I'm sure something will come along.

OP posts:
Pippa12 · 15/04/2015 21:59

Have you thought about agency/bank work in the care sector? That way you can pick and choose when you work- lots of mums with childcare obstacles. Good luck anyway xxx

LadyCatherineDeTurd · 15/04/2015 21:59

It can be very difficult to get back in after time out, more so than it should be, but I think at least part of your problem is your current constraints. I suspect your need for school hours only is just as influential as your CV gap. I think you're right just to crack on with the applications and solve the childcare problem when it arises. Best of luck.

Starlightbright1 · 15/04/2015 22:00

I did childminding for a similar reason. I am a single parent and don't have any back up so I look after DS or I have to pay for childcare... However like you say childcare only is till about 6 and no weekends

good luck

siblingrevelryagain · 15/04/2015 22:00

I got a job after 8 years at home. Not as high profile as my previous career but it suits my life and family for the time being.

I asked in the office at my children's school to let me know if any p/t jobs became available. School secretary knew of one at a neighbouring school. School hours and holidays off-not huge pay but for 38 weeks a year it could be a lot worse! And what I make is pure profit as it's just under tax threshold and I don't pay childcare.

ragged · 15/04/2015 22:05

check out NHS supply staff, if you have admin experience. Sometimes they are very flexible about hours just glad to have a competent body, you might get something in school hours. You have to phone around to find out who takes the applications.