To ask if I'm getting turned down for jobs because I've not worked for 9 years?

[UptownGirl40]

Desperately trying to find a pt job with no luck.

I'm not even getting interviews, just thanks but no thanks or nothing at all!

I've been a SAHM for 9yrs so do you think that's the reason?

Do you think voluntary work would give me a foot back in the door?

Starting to feel really unemployable?!!

Yes its because you've been at home.

Voluntary work is 50/50 as to whether it would help. In my case it didn't work and despite being a college governor, sports coach, stroke support worker, first aider, clerk to a charity and an education support volunteer in a museum I have barely received more than 3 or 4 interviews over the last 4 years.

I have safeguarding qualifications and up to date ms office refresher course certificates too so you would think I'm an ideal candidate.

The only response I got said I was too experienced for entry level and too expensive for anyone to want to pay me at that level anyway.

I've gone back to University to retrain but I know this isn't possible for everyone.

In response to those who suggest up to date qualifications are a stumbling block, why do you often insist on high gcses and a levels on the basis they show your ability but then you say that IT skills dont show any ability unless theyre taken/used recently?

I suppose your current staff are never trained in using a new computer package in a day and if you haven't ridden a bike over the last few years then that means you've lost all ability to ride a bike too?

Keep going and be very very flexible in your choices. Try and find a volunteer role somewhere that may offer employment at a later date. Good luck.

Do you have recent references, someone you did volunteer work, maybe?

@uptowngirl40

Sadly, you being at home for a decade probably is the reason you are struggling.

As has been said, maybe you could do some courses, or volunteer work.

My daughter was always doing stuff when she was at college; volunteering to teach kids to play guitar at the library, taking singing lessons, taking creative writing classes, helping the local school arrange litter picks, helping a couple of farms with the horses.

Result? Applied for 5 part time jobs in her first year of uni, got interviews for 4 of them, and got offered 3.

My friend's son did naff all for the first year after leaving school, except sit on his bum for a year, and then send off 25 job applications in 6 months. Not one interview.

I am not saying you have been doing nothing OP, but just that you need to show that you have been doing something other than mommy stuff. (Sorry if that sounds awful - I don't mean it to; just that you need more work-type skills.)

So maybe look for some volunteer stuff and some courses. For at least half a year.

It's really really hard.

I started applying for jobs after a nine year break. During the break I have done loads of voluntary work and also a couple of relevant evening classes at the local college.

I got nowhere and am now working as a midday supervisor at a primary school. It's far from what i want to do but at least it's something for now.

Yes it is the reason.
You will have to start at the bottom again I'm afraid.

This is why I think it's very short sighted for women not to go back to work (at least part time).

Yes it is the reason. Voluntary work would help, as would setting up a business. If you want to stay in your old career, then you will probably have to start at the bottom and work your way up again.

@ReinettePompadour - someone 9 years out of a job who's made no effort to upskill would have no idea how pivots worked, wouldn't be able to create dynamic dashboards, and many would probably have forgotten formulas. No organisation teaches any of that from scratch. Excel and other software skills are expected to be learned as part of your job or developed in your own time.

Jenny working at a school as a midday supervisor would suit me perfectly as its school hours and a foot in the door in a school, could progress to a TA role?

It's so difficult and it does get me down at times

I've recruited someone with a 7 year gap. She's fucking amazing. Have promoted her twice and she's still on 20 hours a week which she works around school drop offs and I'm flexible about her working hours during hols.

I now need to replace her previous role with a 20 hours a week admin person. But they'd need up to date computer skills. Have you thought about doing an online course on Microsoft office? Lots of online courses you can do which will enhance your Cv and your chances of getting work.

@UptownGirl40 you may find that some agencies are willing to take you an as a temp TA it's how several family members started off

I'm a recruiter and unless the jobs you're applying to want trainees or juniors then you're not going to have much luck.

Definitely do some volunteer/internship work related to the career you're interested in.

Also, gaps in a CV are not always bad, as long as you have valid reasons to account for not working. Staying at home to take care of family is a good reason. I wouldn't delete your CV if you were a good candidate.

OP is there a reason why you're applying for menial, soul destroying, unskilled work?

I would think this is the reason. the job market is not great at the moment and if an employer has good applicants with very recent and relevant work experience, I think these are much more likely to get an interview than someone who was at home for almost a decade. it is quite understandable from an employer's point of view.

can you see if you can get a job around Xmas when lots of companies recruit extra staff? Networking? have you checked with friends and family if they know if their workplaces are recruiting? I found this always to be a much more successful route than the recruitment agencies.

Reinette, IT skills date faster than any other sort because the technology changes so quickly. Whereas a well-constructed sentence with good punctuation, or an ability to multiply and divide are timeless.

Someoneasdumb I have actually completed a college course in Microsoft Office, it was only level 1 though.

That will help. Can you continue up the levels whilst you are looking? I'd also have a really good think about transferable skills from your cabin crew days and focus on those and jobs that could benefit from that experience.

Sunbitternx I'm applying for unskilled work because I haven't really got any qualifications 😳 And I think it nearly 41 that I'm too old to do a long college course.

I'm 45 and have just embarked on a 4 year degree course. Its very vocational. I work part time in an unskilled (I think its very skilled but to the outside world it isn't)
Health willing I have another 20 years at least to work. I can't risk being 'unskilled' until my dotage.

I haven't worked for 7 years and got a job on Monday . The first one I went for . They didn't care that I haven't worked for so long .

Hello again uptown 👋🏼

When I left cabin crew I entered the riveting world of finance working in a building society as a customer advisor, then got promoted quickly to the next level.

Try receptionist jobs too, they always need a friendly face.

Travel agencies? With all that travelling it'd suit.

When there's a gap, do put about being at home. Also, I put on my CV about willing to learn new skills, and quick to learn.

Not true UpTown.

Ive seen lots of CVs where people have done college courses and degrees later in life. As long as you're qualified. Age doesn't come in to it.

I think you'll get bored with unskilled work after a while and who wouldn't.

And I think it nearly 41 that I'm too old to do a long college course

No you arent. Im in my mid late 40s. Im nowhere near the oldest on my course. Around half of the students are over 35 and around 25% are over 40.

At 41 you still have at least 26 working years ahead of you. Doing an access/foundation course and degree will take you to 45/6 so another 21/22 years of working life. Dont discount it if thats a viable option for you.

There's also online touch typing courses for free if you google.

Go to agencies & keep applying you will get there. Have you applied for Xmas temp roles?

Have you tried temping? At first, you'll probably have to be flexible and take whatever you get, but once you've done a few assignments, the agency may put you forward for better jobs.

As other posters have said, you need to get some relevant, up-do-date experience via agencies. I don't know why people are so sniffy about agencies - they are the best route in to fte/pte and enable you to talk about current work practices, concerns, experiences.

Also, many, many companies post temp / agency jobs with a view to fte / permanent employment so this is a really good route in. I've got 3 jobs this way.

I would not employ someone who hasn't worked for 9 years and had no voluntary / agency experience. Why would I when there are so many other people out there with up-do-date experience?