To think my career is over?

[HireStarter]

NC for confidentiality.

A few years back I was made redundant whilst on maternity leave. For a variety of reasons I decided to stay home with the kids.

It's been 2-3 years and I'm now looking to re-enter my career on a part time basis but am struggling to find any opportunities in my field. There are LOADS full-time but very few part-time and those that do exist aren't near me or pay minimum wage.

I have a degree (it's general, not career specific) and was happy with where my career was before children. I'm now left wondering if I need to retrain.

AIBU to think my career is over?

Feeling lost with it all. If anyone has any good news stories that would be great!

• working full time is not an option at the moment.

This may be seriously unhelpful to say, but could you go full time for just a little while and then drop down?

Or find someone in the same field as you and offer yourselves as a job share?

If not, I think you need to ring all the recruiters for FT positions and say you’d love to apply but only if you can do PT.

I suspect you will get lots of flat out noes, but you need to keep trying until you hit the job you’re perfect for (or they’re struggling to fill) and they take a chance on you.

Good luck!

PT roles actually being advertised to external candidates are almost impossible to find, in any field. If you apply and note you'd like to job share or otherwise work PT you might hit the jackpot if someone else has done the same?

Could you get into consultancy work? Find a small female led agency and work for them?

I agree it’s always worth asking about PT but honestly you’re not in a strong bargaining position from what you have said. Stepping out of the workplace carried huge risks, as you’re finding.

Have you looked at the civil service? Without knowing your previous career and skills it’s hard to advise but they’re a flexible employer generally. The truth is though you’re likely to have to take a step down abs work back up, or go full time with the aim of reducing hours ASAP once you’ve proved yourself and got a stronger bargaining position.

When you say you will only work part time, how part time are you talking? I find there’s a huge difference between three days and four and I think you’re far likelier too find a four day position. Many employers will negotiate from full time down to 30 hours but 22.5 is another story.

Could you do the full time hours over 4 days or similar?

Have you tried applying and requesting job share? In my sector roles are rarely advertised as part time but they routinely consider 2.5 days as its quite easy to recruit an opposite 2.5 days. They rarely agree 3 or 4 days as they can't recruit to cover the missing days (and the job requires full time cover)

I have too any responsibilities at home to work full-time unfortunately.

I'd be willing to work long days to consolidate hours. Am open to 4 normal days a week or as few as 2. It's less about the money for me and more about regaining my sense of self and independence.

I'm going to spend the weekend researching recruiters and will reach out next week.

Eugh. It's quite heartbreaking to feel I may have to start again. And that may be in a few years time as I just can't work full time for now :(

Hmm...

Where I work we often advertise posts as FT but will take on PT for the right candidate. Usually the applicants haven't mentioned anything about wanting to be PT until they're offered the job. Agree with others though that their is a big diff between 0.5 and 0.7 or 0.8.

But if you don't ask, you don't get! You need to apply for some FT roles and chance your arm.

Without being too unkind, you can't pick and choose when you've been out the workplace for a few years. Many people feel like they have too many responsibilities at home but they have no choice but to work FT.

The issue is most likely that you're looking for part-time roles. My professional advice is that most people need to earn the trust and confidence of their company/boss/clients before a part time opportunity becomes a real possibility.

Does hybrid working apply to your sector? I find it a lot easier to be a FTWM whilst doing a few days a week WFH

@HireStarter

I have too any responsibilities at home to work full-time unfortunately.

I'd be willing to work long days to consolidate hours. Am open to 4 normal days a week or as few as 2. It's less about the money for me and more about regaining my sense of self and independence.

I'm going to spend the weekend researching recruiters and will reach out next week.

Eugh. It's quite heartbreaking to feel I may have to start again. And that may be in a few years time as I just can't work full time for now :(

Hmm...

If your willing to do 4 days a week then I’d just apply to the full time positions. 4 days isn’t far off full time and if you’re a good fit they might be willing to negotiate.

disagree with many PPs - a couple of years ago I took a real step back in seniority because I prefer to work part time.
In the last six months or so, I've seen a lot more part time roles around, because post lockdown, employers are a lof more flexible and less focussed on presenteeism. I only applied for, and accepted, one role, but have had loads of approaches from agencies with part time roles since then.
restless.co.uk aimed at 50+, but gets a lot of part time roles
timewisejobs.co.uk - went to a good flexible working prestentation by them a couple of years ago

google part time recruitment agencies - quite a lot come up

Ten2Two is a specialist recruitment agency for part-time jobs. What kind of work are you after?

What sort of field?
Surely it is hard to advise if we have no idea what skills or experience you have

It’s not over but you won’t be able to pick up where you left off either.

Try career return programs - although you’ll probably have to go back full time at first. It’s hard enough being taken seriously with a career break and wanting PT reinforces this idea (even if it’s not true).

@ketchupman

Without being too unkind, you can't pick and choose when you've been out the workplace for a few years. Many people feel like they have too many responsibilities at home but they have no choice but to work FT.

Fortunately I do have the choice as Im not financially dependent on a job. I still have savings and support from my partner. I do realise I'm in a privileged position in that respect.

I really want to return to my career, but my other responsibilities are ultimately more important to me so I won't work full time for the next few years.

I find it really sad that it's almost impossible for women to re-enter the world of work part time. It seems find for most women who already have jobs but if you're made redundant like I was, you're pretty much screwed.

@ThinWomansBrain OP doesn't state what level she is at though, I would expect that if you were at a senior level previously and took a step back there would be more opportunities for you than someone earlier on in their career who hasn't worked for 2-3 years

By 'my responsibilities' I assume you mean your kids? Is your dp their other parent?

Agree though that if you're willing to do 4 days a week just apply for FT jobs then negotiate - its fairly close.

I applied for a full time job then once I was offered it I negotiated to do 4 days a week.

Now I am the manager I ensure all jobs are advertised in a way that makes it clear that part time hours are an option.

A career break of a few years wouldn't concern me at all. Just focus on past professional experience in your application.

Thank you so much for your advice all. I am going to hit the part time/Flexi agencies.

And also start looking for FT roles. And tell them upfront I'm looking for a job share or 0.6-0.8 part time. I don't think I want to wait until I'm offered a role as I think it's a bit disingenuous and could make me look untrustworthy. Also it's a huge waste of time for everyone involved.

I feel a touch more hopeful.

@KeyboardWorriers

I applied for a full time job then once I was offered it I negotiated to do 4 days a week.

Now I am the manager I ensure all jobs are advertised in a way that makes it clear that part time hours are an option.

A career break of a few years wouldn't concern me at all. Just focus on past professional experience in your application.

Do you have any jobs going? 😂

Well done for making a change. I've also told myself that when/if I am in a position to make a change I will too.

I also regularly tell people how hard it is for some women. We try hard to build a career. Have children. Get made redundant (didn't realise how common it is). Then find ourselves stuck. It's not fair.

I find it really sad that it's almost impossible for women to re-enter the world of work part time. It seems find for most women who already have jobs but if you're made redundant like I was, you're pretty much screwed.

I honestly don’t think it is. If you choose to have a few years out then are really picky about number of days etc. then yes it’s probably hard. But for decent candidates that are willing to be flexible then having a bit of time out or restarting after mat leave isn’t too hard, you just have to be prepared to apply to everything then negotiate what you want.

I agree with @Overthebow. If you are up against candidates who are flexible and with recent experience, then you have to be really exceptional to expect to have time out and resume on your terms. It's nothing to do with your gender.

You could try positions in schools and unis. Lots of admin posts and generally a lot of flexibility in my experience

I knew from your title this would be a working-mother issue. Yanbu. As you'd do 4 days, I agree with PP, apply for full-time and negotiate. Good luck!