Finding a job after years away

[ComeOnLetsMove]

Does anybody have any positive stories or advice about returning to work in their field after being home for years with DC?

Or does anybody have any advice at all? Positive or negative?

I can't currently go back to work until I'm eligible for free childcare. The moment I'm eligible, I want to go back to work, no doubt about it. I am just feeling very sad about the huge gap in my work history.

Am I being silly to worry? I'd rather just be thinking happy thoughts about the day I find a new job, but I keep coming back to the thought that I'll probably never work in my field again, and I enjoyed my career.

Bump

I wouldn't worry about the break. Most applications forms ask for info about employment breaks. Just fill it in truthfully. There aren't many jobs at the moment, so waiting for childcare funding is in your favour at the moment.
Out of interest, how many years are you talking and what field do you want to go into?

I've been out of the field for coming up to four years. I've worked as a graphic designer and illustrator in the past, so it's quite a fast moving field and I imagine much has changed since I left

I got a job in March after 5 years off and the pay was not much off what I’d last been on. Of course Covid stuffed that for me so I’m on the search again. They wanted to know what I’d been doing and thankfully could tell them I was working on a degree which was always related in the job adverts I’d seen.

I’d I were you I’d try to find some course(s) to refresh your skills, learn the latest software or whatever it is you need to do to gain the knowledge you may have lost in your industry

Can you do some volunteer work, freelance or some CPD to keep your skills current?

I have done freelance work in the past and would do it again when I have the time and freedom to work at home, which I'm guessing is only a few months away. Volunteer work tends to be frowned upon, as other designers feel that they're pushed out of the race when people offer work for free. However, if it needed to be done I'd do it.

@ComeOnLetsMove

I have done freelance work in the past and would do it again when I have the time and freedom to work at home, which I'm guessing is only a few months away. Volunteer work tends to be frowned upon, as other designers feel that they're pushed out of the race when people offer work for free. However, if it needed to be done I'd do it.

Appreciate this, I was more thinking of "clients" who wouldn't/couldn't pay anyway. E.g. charities or community groups. A photographer friend of mine did lovely portrait shots for LinkedIn profiles for women returning to work and ended up getting quite a bit of paid work as a result.

I've just started working from home on a freelance basis after 13 years off work. Trawled Indeed for several weeks and developed a very thick skin but very happy with this job (even though it'll take a while to produce some income).

I would be willing to offer freebies in order to bump up my experience. The more I think about it, the less bad I feel about upsetting other designers, as I still need an income eventually.

@Sarahlou63 that sounds great! I hope the income comes very soon for you.