Anyone successfully got back into their pre-children career after 4 year break?

[SleeplessInLondon]

I had a years maternity leave and have been off work for the 3 following years, so 4 in total (have had two DC's in this period) . I 'used to be' a chartered surveyor for approx 8 years prior to DC. My circumstances have recently changed and I need to get back into the work force. There is nothing I would rather do that my old job - so at least that decision is easy.

I am seriously apprehensive about attending interviews as my memory of the detail of projects I have worked on in the past is appalling. The last four years just seemed to have wiped my brain.

I know that if I can convince someone to give me a job that it will all come back to me quite quickly, but find the thoughts of the first month or two where I have to re-learn / remember so much incredibly daunting. Even the terminology which was once second nature to me is a hazy memory.

Would love to hear from others who have done it and survived.

have no idea - Im in the same position - I have been out for 4 years and am starting to look around for work again.

Have you tried any agencies? There are a few ladies on here who work/own recruitment agencies may be able to give you some advice

Good luck - Im not sure what Im going to do - its so hard to go back

I have a friend who has just got back into work after 7 years.

She has got a job far senior to her old job in a sector that she only dreamt about before. She admits she has been extremely lucky (right place, right time etc) but I never cease to tell her that she got the job because she is amazing.

The energy, sense of purpose, view of life, awareness of the world etc that being a mum has given her has made her ten times the woman she was.

She was umming and ahhing for a while and had the same concerns as you. Would anyone employ a mum of 2 dcs? What do you wear for an interview these days? What the hell did I do at work?

There was two previous interviews with other companies that she didn't get but she learned a lot from them When this job came up it seemed too good to be true but somehow everything just fell right.

If she was here, she would tell you to believe. Just believe.

Go back to your old colleagues/boss and remind yourself of the projects/work/training/achievements of your old working life and go for it.

Talk to someone in the field you want to get into and get some idea of how the industry is doing, the buzzwords etc.

Believe and good luck!

Racmac best of luck and keep me posted

Ooopsadaisy thanks so much for the pep talk - I needed it and hearing of your friends success has cheered up my day. Will definitely follow some of your excellent suggestions.

Sleepless - this particular friend is an inspirational woman in so many ways.

Do you have a friend like this? If so - go talk to her (or him). Their positive energy sometimes rubs off!

She told me once that she has always looked to me for good counsel and advice. That she admires me as a friend and mother and human being and it makes me laugh so much because I am such a loser/fruitcase/basketcase next to her.

Remember - believe in yourself and good luck.

I was lucky enough to go back to the same role after about 5 years at home. It was pure luck, DH bumped into my old boss and he was looking for a temp to do a couple of months cover. While I was there someone left and I applied and got the permanent job.

I would suggest you exploit any contacts you still have, and you'll probably need to contact your old firm/manager to get a reference anyway. They may have something short-term that would suit someone 'knows the ropes' as it were, which would enable you to regain your confidence.

I know what you mean about forgetting stuff. I spent about a month nodding sagely, writing stuff down then frantically looking it up afterwards .

I have recently returned to my previous carreer as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist after being a SAHM for 5 years!
I , like you, thought I had forgotten everything! But once I started reading up for the interview etc it was amazing how quickly it all came back!
I have 6 DC, and am still learning to re-adjust routines etc and cope with the whole juggling work/childcare/family/home etc...! But I am really enjoying the job!
It came about for me by contacting womeone I had previously worked for (and got on well with) and just asking in general about routes back into the carreer, and she emailed me straight back saying when did I want to start as they were deperately looking for someone! Initially it was a temp contract, due to lots of re-organisation happening, but I have my interview for the permenant position on Monday (and am now stressing over anothe interview LOL)
Anyway...as others have said go for it! I put it off for aout a year, thinking I would never get back into my carreer...but turns out I was wrong!
Good luck

OverflowingMum that is so good to hear.

I am intending to return to work as a GP after a break of 5 years and I keep having panics that they won't let me back (no evidence to support this!). I think I just need to relax and accept that I will be able to sort something out when the time comes.

dont forget you have a qualification! so you are steps ahead of many other return to work mothers.

whilst i think you are clearly in a strong position set your bar at returning to work rather than returning to the old job, level of seniority.

chewytofeemum Good luck! I think it should be totally possible! Old colleagues that you got on well with/thought well of you etc...I think may be a good place to start. I just got offered the permenant position yesterday - had to choose between a 4 day job, or a 3 day job with on-call. I really didn't want to go back to having to do on-call again...so went with the 4 day job, which is a bit more than I wanted...but hopefully I'll cope!!

It is great to hear that some people are actually making it back into working life, and vaguely flexibly.
I have been a SAHM for 7 years now. I was previously a hospital doctor in London, but have since done the classic move out. My youngest is now 2 1/2 and I would love to start back into something, but can't yet see a way. My husband commutes to London, so can't be relied on for any childcare. I have completed a law degree since starting a family - partly to keep my brain going, and also because I thought it might open up a few new doors to me workwise. Having read all the traumatic posts about lawyers trying to work flexibly, I'm now wondering whether to bother starting my LPC in Septemer, or whether it is a waste of money.
Very frustrated. Cannot believe how the catalogue of degrees etc. I possess can be no help whatsoever. Really wish I was more like those Mums who potter in interior design- they get to pick it back up - so clever.

Yes, Sleepinghunter. Sometimes degrees like medicine and law can feel a bit limiting - not everyone can see the potential for using skills in other contexts.

I am currently in a muddle as I have seen a job advertised locally - the hours are fine, I think I could do it - I just don't know if I can face the whole application process and the possibility of going through it and not getting the job.

I have a Maths degree and worked in IT for fifteen years before taking voluntary redundancy just after becoming a mum. I have loved being a SAHM for nearly four years but now want to work and can't get ANYTHING!!!!! I think I could get an IT job but they're all full time so that's not an option. And everything else I've applied for, from admin assistant to shop assistant I get rejected or don't hear back from.

I feel quite confident but am starting to think what is point of spending time applying for a job just to get rejected.

Sleepinghunter - do we live in the same village with mutual pottering interior designer friends? I am in exactly the same boat although only out of the workplace for 2 years post-kids and redundancy. I am seriously considering paying for childcare as an investment in my future career as I can't honestly see how else I do the job search properly. DH also commuting a fairly long distance to London so not available for childcare or even nursery pick up/drop off.

On my confident days I am busy organising part-time childcare and tidying up the home office ready to start "networking" in earnest. On my less confident days I am resigned to being a SAHM and rethinking our whole lifestyle/aspirations.

well you asked me to keep you posted

I have just secured a temporary maternity cover position - part time

Job couldnt be any better really (apart from the money maybe)

I sent my CV to a local firm and they just happened to be looking for someone

Agencies didnt want to know because i had no recent experience and they had lots of people on their books

Hi

I have just gone back to work after having a career break for 3 years. My advice would be to apply for a few jobs you're not really fussed about getting at first - this will give you the chance to practice the process or applying, going for interviews etc - the more jobs you apply for, the more you will have to recall your past experience and it WILL start to come back, trust me. I had an interview for quite a basic role that I didn't want and getting offered the job was a real confidence boost, even though I turned the job down.

The other thing I would say is start networking as it really is the best way to get a new job. Tell everyone you know you are looking to get back into work. Make contact with ex colleagues, and find out what vacancies there are/who is recruiting. Facebook and Linkedin are really good for this as it's an informal way to put some feelers out.

Ask friends to recommend you or at the very least tell you the name of the person you need to send your cv to.

Finally, commit a certain amount of time a week to "job searching activities". In the current climate it is hard to get back in - you may have to take a less senior role than you had before or be prepared to lower your salary expectations. If you have done voluntary work, even if it's just helping out in your kids school then get that on your cv and show how the skills are transferable.

If you're not working now, you may be able to benefit from free refresher training/interview techniques/cv reviews etc......speak to your local council and college to see if there is anything you are eligible for. Everything helps!

Good luck!