To ask if there are any women who have never worked or only worked for a few years or is it just me?

[Pearlamelie]

I graduated with an economics degree in 2006 and worked as a financial services assistant for 2 years (I had no idea what I wanted to do and just fell into this I was approached about the job by a family friend so thought why not). Two years later I found out I was pregnant, never went back after maternity leave and now 7 years down the line I have two dc, the youngest of which starts school next September. And I haven't worked since 2009. So I'm 31 and have only worked 2 years of my whole life. Is anyone else in this position? I want to get back into the job market when my youngest starts school but where do I start? My old job no longer appeals but I don't have any other skills! Or any idea what I want to do! Has anyone been in a situation like this and had a success story? Part of me now thinks I should of stayed in some kind of employment but I didn't really like my old job so was happy to escape! My DH is also keen for me to go back to work next September as it eases the financial pressure on him as he is self employed. He works in retail (owns a shop) and works mon-sat 8-6. He will carry on with this but it will be nice for us to not have to rely on one income anymore. Any ideas/stories welcome!

Would you be able to do a day or so a week in dh's shop to get some retail experience?

My DH mentioned that, he said I could work for him school hours, it won't make us any extra money but would give me (an unpaid) job. The only problem is I would struggle to then go on to work somewhere else in retail as he works every Saturday so there would be no one to look after the kids. It's still an idea though.

me because I have bad anxiety. I didn't understand at the time which made things difficult.

You're fine. You just had DC young that's all. You have loads of time to retrain and get a job. I know loads of women who took a break when DC were small.

One way to get back into work if you don't have much experience is to pick something up word of mouth at the school gates. Loads of mums run small businesses and look for occasional or seasonal helpers (caterers or kids' party organisers needing assistants etc) Do a bit of that just to get some recent experience while you decide what you'd like to do.

Could you train as an accountant? Or do the books for your DH's shop. You economics/financial advice experience must have some good transferable skills.

I ve only worked approx 4 years of my life plus 2 years studying. I'm 29 with a 4 year old and currently pregnant.

Dh doesn't want me to work, he would much rather I stayed at home even when new baby starts school. I will probably do some volunteering then

It might be worthwhile even if it is just to get you used to it again. I only took 4 years out but I won't lie it was a big adjustment even going back into a part time job. Retail does have some transferable skills to other jobs too

Definitely start working in your DH's shop, even if it's unpaid you will be building up a skillset and might find aspects of the job that really suit you.
Do it this week, in fact, so that your start date is 2016, it closes the gap just a little bit on your CV and every extra month that you do it helps.
Is there anything you could study, part-time, that might also help update your skills?

Me.
Had ds1 at 19 when I was a student (had a Saturday job but didn't earn enough to pay tax)

Had ds2 2 years later and became a single mum when they were 5 and 3.

I went back to college (different course) when ds2 started year 1. I then started working 'on the bank' and stuck to c. 16 hours per week so as not to affect my benefits when I couldn't always be guaranteed full time hours. Did this for a year before being offered a full time position.

I've been working full time for 18 months (?) now. Seems like longer tbh.

I've had people tell me I'm 'disgusting' or ask me if I'm 'proud' of having only worked full time for a couple of years. Proud? No. But it was circumstantial. It was what it was.

notagiraffe that was another thing my DH came up with if he could send me on an AAT book keeping course I could do the books for the shop and maybe work from home as a bookkeeper and maybe carry on further and train as an accountant and advertise for other customers. There is an office at the top of the shop I could use. I covered a bit of accountancy in my degree in year one so have a bit of an idea of what it is about. Although would I not have to work for someone else first as an accountant before becoming self employed? I have no idea? Also I'm worried if I don't like it and DH wastes the money on the course and I mess his books up! (He currently pays someone to do them).

This exact question was asked very recently on a different thread. Was that you? People on that thread said that poster keeps asking for the same stories.

ineedaqueen well done! You have done really well to bring up two children on your own, study and find a job!

butterymuffin no not me, I haven't seen that thread. Can you point me in the direction of it I can have a read maybe I can get some ideas!

I'd do the hours in your DH's shop as it gives you current work experience on your cv regardless of what job you go into. Take anything that fits to start with it's always easier to get a job when you already have one. TBH I'm a little surprised at how little you've worked im a year older than you and have had some form of job since I was 16 (and I have 2 kids too) the job market is tough now and you will up against people with a lot more work experience for pretty much every job you go for. Good luck I hope you find something that works for you.

What do you want to do, caring, financial, retail? Still young enough to retrain the world is your oyster.

Don't under estimate the skills you have as a SAHM, might not get you the job as a CEO straight away but will get your foot on the ladder by promoting those skills.

If you worked in DH shop you may get paid but would it not reduce your overall take home pay (with him paying you from profits) or does it not work like that (better paying you than someone else type thing). Even if you did work out evens it gives you experience but could you get experience from volunteering elsewhere.

have you thought about your own savings and pensions and financial security if your relationship with DH goes tits up which of course it won't but doesn't hurt to have a plan B

strawberrypenguin I had Saturday jobs while at school and uni but I chopped and changed them regularly as I hated them all. Mostly stacking shelves or working on tills in supermarkets. Then 2 years work after uni and then (unplanned) DC1 and (planned) DC2. I guess maybe I should not have give up work, I feel unemployable now I'm so tired with the DC and feel like all my confidence has gone.

I had not worked in 20 years until this year. I've started my own business and love it. I think being a SAHM for a long time let's you think out of the box when you do go back to work. Good luck!

Pearl thanks. I'm proud of what I've achieved. Just a shame people only look at what I haven't done (in terms of a job I mean. Certain family members of mine don't count anything else as worthy

That's another reality you might have to face up to then - very few people love their jobs. We do them because we need to work. Yes I've been very lucky that (so far) I've not faced a redundancy but I've also stuck at my jobs. Lots of chopping and changing with short periods in each job looks awful on a cv

You could really do with thinking of something you would like to do rather than just falling into any old job (which by the sounds of it you will get bored of quickly and want to leave). Have you thought about doing a masters to update your skill set... a decent uni will have loads of career events throughout your time studying and you could leave with a job. The new postgrad loans are not based on income and though its tight, I have found mine covers the cost of the course and getting to uni a couple of times a week. It's just a thought. :)

I like looking after my kids (not sure if that means I would like looking after other people's though!), I like fashion, cosmetics, cooking (although I'm pretty rubbish!). I like being around people, I used to hate working in an office. So far I've thought of classroom assistant, fashion retail, nail tech, makeup artist, book keeper, accountant. I don't think I could work Saturdays though so I'm not sure if that would work with some of those jobs. I would also love an online store as I love selling on eBay but cannot think of anything that would make a good profit. I mostly just sell our old clothes, I've been saving the money I make on eBay up though incase I can think of something to invest it in. I looked into selling lingerie but there already seems to be alot of that on there.

I've never worked. I'm 25.
I was at college when I fell pregnant with DS1 at 16. Had him at 17.
Went back to college when he was 2 and got my childcare level 2. Then had some very unexpected circumstances which resulted in a court case and spending my time dealing with that (contact arrangements) went to go back to college, applied etc but fell pregnant with DD, so had to cancel. Then when DD was 10 months my pill failed and I fell pregnant with DS2. He is now 16 months and I'm back in college doing my childcare level 3. I will finish just before he turns 3. I'm currently volunteering in a nursery. The manager would happily hire me but the boss man says no hiring of level 2s, he only wants level 3s. She is trying to change his mind. (I've overheard converstaions) I'm hoping that I will be given a job at some point in the near future.

My sister worked in retail for a few years after school, then got married and stayed at home. She did a course when her children were at school, but never got a job related to it. About 15 years after giving up work she got a retail job, part time. She stayed there for a number of years and now does the book-keeping for a completely different type of business.
It seems to me one of the biggest hurdles is having the confidence to make the first move. I read somewhere that you should sit down and look at what you have done at home - many of the things you do on a day to day basis with kids demonstrate job relevant competancies, organisation, time management, conflict resolution etc. Some work experience in dh's shop would be worthwhile even just to build up your confidence and get used to being in a work environment.
And 31 is still young!! I was in my late 20's by the time I got my first 'proper' job, after faffing around with university and short term contracts etc.

I've been a sahm for 14 years. During this time I've had small part time jobs (was a clerk to the governors at 2 schools, for instance), started (and ended) 2 businesses, and have trained as a yoga teacher (tho am pregnant again so can't teach much at the moment). We also have a dc with disabilities and my dh works 12+ hours a day. Working outside the home hasn't been realistic a lot of the time, but I have managed to fit things in here and there.

I would like to throw myself into teaching yoga when the baby is older, and possibly train in a holistic therapy like a hypnobabies teacher. After all this time outside of a traditional work environment, I don't see myself getting into an office job, and don't really want anything in retail tbh. I will probably have to work for myself as a self employed teacher, but I like the idea of setting my own hours and such.

Nope. I worked the same job for 2 years as a student, then another one for a year or more.

I had a few months of unemployment after masters but after that, save for hiatus' between jobs when changing I have never not worked.

31 is young enough though, I wouldnt leave it much longer.

I've had some great expereinces and made great friends from work. I cant imagine never having that exposure throughout life. It isnt all roses but it can be rewarding.

Self employment does appeal to me. I can't imagine having to call work to say my dc are poorly and I can't come in. Or juggle all the school holidays as DH works 6 days a week and never takes time off. So maybe I should look at things I can do on a self employed basis. At the same time I would like a good income so I can regain financial independence and have my own money to spend and also contribute towards the mortgage etc. That would feel good.