To think it is impossible to get back to work!

[skippykips]

After 5 years of being a SAHM!
How did you do it? I have spent 5 years being a SAHM. I am now ready to get back into work! Its more of a need financially than a want to.

Understandably many employers do not like a big work gap on a CV. Surely there is somebody out there who will give me a chance to prove I am what they need!

I am feeling so disheartened right now!

[Italianherbgarden]

I've also phoned after submitting my CV to ask any question I can think of about the role to display interest. I got the last job I did this at.

Some might think pushy, but I used to regularly do this as a teen when looking for shop jobs - hand in CVs in person (I'm old, this is going back a bit), go back a few days later.

Also, when I try and scrounge up donations, I found the '2 passes' strategy worked well - email/phone them, then go in, then go back a week later if I got a non-committal response.

Persistence is generally something employers want. Obviously if you get a clear brush off, you don't persist there!

[LTS2018]

I went back after 6 years. When I didn't hear anything back about a job I thought I was really well qualified for and suited to I phoned them up under the guise of asking for feedback as to why I hadn't received an interview. They hadn't seen my application - an issue with the website - and they were already on second interviews.

I had my first and second interviews in the next couple of days and was offered the job with the added bonus of being able to negotiate a ramped up start from part time to full time over a few months.

Phone up, be enthusiastic - good luck.

[Ilovecamping]

Was SAHM for 11 years and for those years I put down my volunteering in school, and 2 extra GCSEs I took, it showed I had done things outside the home.

[Lavenderdays]

It's a few years off for me yet but I plan to go down the volunteer and temping route first.

I recently went for a job that fitted school hours (admin) before finding out that I was pregnant. I didn't get it but I did get an interview and was shortlisted (after 4 years as sahm). I am pretty certain there was masses of applicants for this p/t job which actually demanded a lot of work in the hours they were offering...it gave me a taste of possible things to come in the future.

[blueshoes]

snapper that is enterprising of you and good advice.

[OnlyAbigail]

I ended up starting my own business after being a SAHM as I found it hard to find a job that a) fitted in reasonably well with school hours and b) wasn't a 'women's' job paying a pittance.

I'd really recommend starting up something yourself if you can. I sell on EBay and fit in around the kids, plus I earn lots more than I would in a part time employed job.

[speakout]

OnlyAbigail good for you!.

Like you I started to sell stuff and do other things online to sell money so I could fit around the kids.

Much easier than I thought and very profitable too.

Was only meant as a stop gap, but is making me much more now that if I had gone back to work.

I have been selling stuff online for 15 years now- and things are just going from strength to strength.

I have no intention of going back to work ever.

[chocolateiamydrug]

I think I would have gone for the zero hour job.At least you would have been back in employment. It's easier to apply for something else from another job than from a huge Sahm void.

You have been a Sahm for many years so not earning £££ initially shouldn't really be a problem.

[Mossbystrand]

I did two finance and admin voluntary roles in the dc school before applying for jobs. I've just started job hunting so it's early days but the voluntary roles certainly helped keeping my cv current and active.

[FoxyRoxy]

I live in a small town in the NW. I moved here from another country and had been out of the workplace for 4 years due to having kids. I got offered every job I interviewed for BUT they were all retail sales for large companies (travel agent etc). Yes it's possible but you might have to look outside your sector. Good luck op, don't be disheartened you will find something!

[Mossbystrand]

Have a look at your local council job website for family friendly jobs. Is there a university or HE college in your town/city then have a look on their vacancy pages for administrative & other jobs.

I've applied for a few jobs from the mumsnet jobs site.
jobs.mumsnet.com

Make sure that your CV is upto scratch.

www.theguardian.com/careers

[FeedtheTree]

Get your CV updated and online with as many employment agencies as you can. In that paragraph you know write at the top introducing yourself, say something like:
I'm an office administrator with X years experience. I took a five year career break to raise my family and recently completed a business admin course to refresh and update my skills as I'm now looking for full-time work. I'm happy to consider temporary or short term contracts and paternity/maternity cover as well as permanent posts.

Ask around locally. If any school gates mums or their partners run small businesses and need someone for a day a week to sort out the paperwork, you could do that for a while just to have something recent on your CV. Let people know you are up for holiday cover, temp work etc. Once word gets around you will find something and be back in the market for the right full time post.

[iheartmichellemallon]

Good luck with your interview Op. I do agree with your DH in that it's worth phoning organisations after submitting your application - they won't think badly of you for it at all & if they have their own internal recruiter, then you can explain to them about your career break period.

I also agree with pp re don't include anything on your CV regarding SAHM - it really is cringey & likely will make them bin your CV. Be up front with the career gap.

Be prepared at interview to discuss why you want to go back to the workplace now & definitely tailor that to the job / company (rather than saying 'kids are older' etc) & be very positive & enthusiastic.

Good luck

[fiorentina]

Have you spoken to people you’ve worked with previously. If they know you’re a good employee and colleague they may recommend you for roles, either at their company or elsewhere. Lots of roles aren’t really advertised as companies want to reduce employment costs. Are you on LinkedIn with an updated profile. Is all your Microsoft programme knowledge up to date etc. Good luck.

[skippykips]

My CV is as good as it is going to get without anything added on to it. I definitely need to do volunteer/temp work.
I had an email from somebody who saw my CV online asking me to call her. They offered me in for an interview. Then asked right at the end if I drove. I don't! me being behind wheel would be dangerous for all. She said 'oh sorry we need somebody who drives'
So frustrating,

[Unsure123123]

I've just gone back full time after ten years of part time. The last 3 years as a sahm. I've volunteered throughout my time which has really benefitted me. I went through agencies and took anything I could do. I ended up with a very part time job which became more hours as I offered myself to do more hours.

I kept applying for other jobs and landed my current job. I'm exhausted and it's tough going but I made it. It true that's it's easier to get a job once your in work. Remember a 0 hours contract usually ends up giving you work and it doesn't stop you looking for jobs or taking more than one job.

[Unsure123123]

Not driving will be a huge disadvantage! Can you learn how?

[skippykips]

Quick update!
I got the job!
I am so so happy! Apparently it is not impossible!
Thank you all!

[spottedcatbed]

Fabulous weldone

[mumofthemonsters808]

Congratulations, fabulous news.

[iheartmichellemallon]

Well done! Enjoy!

[skippykips]

Thank you! Its my first day today! It's so nice to be working!
Missing my beautiful children though, but they are having a lovely day!