Work experience

[LiquidCosh]

Hi all I have been a SAHM now for 5 years and have used the last 2 years while my youngest was at Nursery school to retrain in Computerised Payroll, Accounts and bookkeeping software. I just passed my exams last month and have begun looking for jobs now that all 4DC will be in school from September.

The trouble is that every single employer wants at least 2 years experience in a payroll setting and I just don't know how I can get past this. It has really knocked the confidence out of me and put a downer on my excitement at finally getting out into the world of work again after so long.

Any advice would be really welcome!!

Can you volunteer to do this for a small charity just to get some experience?

Are you able to do it self-employed/freelance? If you have the skills and confidence you might be able to get some work and have the experience to include on your CV

Volunteer once a week or a morning a week to build up experience, keep applying, maybe get a job to pay the bills in the meantime, choose something that you can use to build experience in related skills.
You should be very proud of yourself! Well done!

Have you looked at apprenticeships? Or can you go back to your tutor for advice? Do you know anyone who owns a small business who you could 'do the books' for. Any charities, toddler groups, church groups or sports clubs who need a secretary?

Thanks everyone I will definitely start looking around at small businesses and charities. Do you think it may be worthwhile to apply for some of these jobs that are asking for experience in the hope that they may like me during the interview process and take my past work in finance into consideration?

Can you go in at entry - level, maybe admin in a payroll dept? Would that count?

And hats off to you for studying and qualifying while being a SAHM to 4 DCs! That shows a lot of determination and that you see things through. I know I couldn't do it.

Missed your post. Yes yes apply!

I suppose I have nothing really to lose by applying so first thing tomorrow I'm going to get the ball rolling and see what happens. Thanks everyone for the encouragement, I was feeling pretty low before this post!!

I think you've made the most of your time whisk your youngest is at nursery, which is brilliant. Hold your head up and believe that you have some excellent skills that are genuinely useful to organisations and make the most of your networks. Can you get yourself on LinkedIn and let people know you're looking for work?