To worry about getting a job after 6 years?

[Usernamqwerty]

I've been a SAHM for over 2 years, since 2 months before my son was born. It wasn't financially viable for me to go back to work (childcare and travel would have made us worse off financially than if I hadn't gone back). I had my daughter 2 months ago. They are awesome kids and I love them to bits, but I do miss work.

Financially, I won't be going back to work for another 4 years when they are both in full-time school (and then it will only be part-time).

I am worried about how the 6 year gap will look on my CV :( It'll be hard for me to find any voluntary work when the kids are in pre-school for only 3 hours a day (we can't afford full-time childcare).

I do have a bachelor's and Master's degree and 10 years of work experience in professional roles.

Would love to hear anyone's experiences of finding work after such a big gap... Thanks!

Hmm, it is a big gap. But your previous employment history will speak for itself

Is it an industry that you can set up as a freelance for? Even part time or minor to help friends/family to keep your cv updated. Thjs is what i did and it seemed to work. M

I wouldn’t write yourself off as you have a good reason.

Also, its 30 hours free childcare now, so would be 6 hours a day if you use a private nursery over a primary school, or a mixture of both. So youre much more likely to be able to get back to work earlier.

It was positive for me. I reinvented my career. Now much happier and more fulfilled in my role.

If you start freelancing from home in your old profession, or similar skillset, there won't be a long gap on your CV. Even if it's only 5 hours work a week, it's still paid work.

Thanks so much for your replies! Unfortunately freelance isn't an option as I worked in mental health (charity sector and academic research). Might try and do a couple of hours a day when the kids are in pre-school.

Also I forgot about the 30 hours scheme. Seems a bit like chicken and egg though - accepting a job if you are not sure you can get the childcare and vice versa!

I have just (last week) got my first job after 7 and a half years of being a SAHM. I applied for a few different ones - I was being picky as I wanted to work around school hours and got appointed after my 2nd interview. I'm doing something very similar to what I did before I was pregnant so don't worry it may not be as difficult as you think. I was worried about the large gap too but everything has worked out well.

Oh and I did nothing in the last 7 1/2 years as my little one didn't sleep for most of it. I had intended to do training/studying/volunteer work but it never happened.

I’m in a similar position, though no Masters and less experience than you!

I’m actually planning to retrain.

what about returners programmes?
there are large, global organisations who specifically try to hook into professionally well qualified SAHP returners and have the relevant recruitment and support schemes set up to tap into it (e.g. CreditSuisse is one i remember hearing about,never worked for them though).

I had a 6 yr work gap due to being a sahm. It's destroyed my career. My former profession isn't very accommodating to women who go off to have a baby. I was forced out of my job when I wanted to go part time after mat leave. I was given an ultimatum - come back full time or don't come back at all. I couldn't afford the childcare for full time hrs, so I had to leave.

When DS started reception I began looking at getting back in to my profession. 14 months later, hundreds of applications and not a single interview offered, I've now had to resort to cleaning for a living.

Years of education, qualifications and previous experience count for nothing now.

I had nine years off - it can be done OP! I did do a little freelance work while I was a SAHM.

I've just gone back into the construction industry after 5 years off. I've had a positive experience, although it helps being in a profession with a shortage!!