Returning to work after 6 years off

[Confusion44]

I've had 6 years off work to have a family. Previously I was a contractor programme manager in IT. Recently I started applying for more junior roles as project manager and mainly permanent not contract. I've had great success and have had 4 interviews so far and been offered 2 of the jobs and am waiting to hear about the other 2. All the jobs are full time but with some flexibility. I've given up trying to find part time jobs.

I'm finding that reading my cv and preparing for the interviews has lit a fire under me and I'm passionate about work and feel confident and driven. Hearing the job descriptions of the project managers leaves me flat. It's clear I've done much more. 2 of the companies have said there may be a chance to move back to programme manager after about 12 months in the project management job.

Ultimatly I want to go consulting in a few years. I'm worried if I now put project manager on my cv I'll downgrade my cv and lessen my chances of that in the future.

So my AIBU is should I just apply for programme managers roles and hope to get something and just accept it may take a while. If it doesn't happen I can look at project management again in a few months.

Am I better going back to a role more junior that I can do quite easily whilst figuring out how I juggle with the kids. Or am I better going back to role that I actually want that may add alot of extra stress.

For interest the money for project managers is fairly low when I consider all the childcare costs so that is a consideration but I could afford to live off the money for a year.

How is your childcare? If fantastic and reliable, then yes, aim for the higher job. If not then life will be so much easier with a degree of flexibility.

And it's shit that that's my advice. If you were male it wouldn't be an issue.

You are better off as a programme manager especially if your experience is NHS or finance / banking. There is such a need for people experienced in programme management in these industries that often you won’t need recent experience if you can show you have upskilled yourself recently - take MSP for example or start your PMP exams if you qualify and write it all over your CV.

By figuring out how to juggle it with kids do you mean in terms of adjusting to it or literally figuring out practical stuff as you go along?

Do you mean you aim to be employed as a consultant or set up on your own to provide consultancy services?

Thanks for the replies

I mean juggle the kids and workload. I haven't worked since I had a child (i have 2) so i don't know how things work like the logistics of childcare and also my energy levels, house, dogs etc. So i was thinking an easier job would be less stressful at work time. I loved my job pre children and i was good at it. I want to be good at it again and not too frazzled to do a great job.

Regards consultancy - Ive had an interview with a consultancy and they have put me on their books but no work as yet. However it would be short notice, long hours and all consuming even if only for a few months at a time. Im wandering if thats not ideal for now but will be fine when the kids are a bit older. So i wouldnt set up on my own i would be a freelancer working for an existing consultancy.

Thanks for the advice on training. Ive done my APMP already and an MBA. Im currently doing an agile course as that seems to be all the rage. I will look for some more courses once i finish Agile if i haven't got a job by then.

Childcare - husband starts a new job in 2 weeks so timing is rubbish as we dont know what he can do regards school runs etc. We will know within a few weeks. The kids are at a nursery/school that's on the same site and they have care 8-6 all through holidays etc so that's good although 8am is late and potentially limits where i can look for work. Im going to look at having someone do the morning run or afternoon run depending on what job i get. I haven't got this sorted yet though but i really need the job before i can confirm. I have parents i can ask in an emergency but they would be no use as regular carers.

I have an interview lined up next week at a great company but its further away so i would need more help and im not sure whether a job an hour or so commute each way is just too much with the kids.

sadly not banking. IT and telecoms and there are much less job adverts for programme managers than project managers but i do have one programme manager interview next week. I have just cancelled the project manager interview i had booked for tomorrow. Thanks ladies for giving me the confidence to focus on programme management.