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Original poster

Want to return to work after 13 years at home!

37 replies

florapup · 22/02/2011 18:14

I have been at home bringing up my children for 13 years. I need to return to work part-time and don't know how to start! I have no up-to-date references or experience or an idea of what I might be able to do! I am a qualified (if a lot rusty!) secondary school teacher but have no wish to return to the classroom! Any help or advice would be fantastic - thank-you :)

OP posts:
Original poster
florapup · 22/02/2011 18:24

P.S Forgot to say that this is my first time on Mumsnet - so, I hope I am doing this properly?!

OP posts:
Maryz · 22/02/2011 18:24

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Original poster
florapup · 22/02/2011 18:28

It's frightening isn't it! I too feel 'unemployable' - yet I need to do something as our economic situation has changed - all very worrying.

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Drizzela · 22/02/2011 18:33

Childminding?

I'm sorry that's my only idea I'm afriad. I think you'd have a lot of uptake due to your teaching background and the fact your children are secondary school age and therefore you wont need to take time off for them when youre sick.

It wont make you rich but should tide you over and give you some pride.

PonceyMcPonce · 22/02/2011 18:34

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Maryz · 22/02/2011 18:35

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Original poster
florapup · 22/02/2011 18:37

Thanks for taking time to reply Drizzela - I don't think our home would be suitable for childminding and couldn't face looking after young children for a living - hoping to have put those days behind me :)

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Original poster
florapup · 22/02/2011 18:40

PoncyMcPonce - what have you gone back to work as? I would like to get involved in mentoring, careers advice etc but can't see any openings in my area - Cheshire.

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PonceyMcPonce · 22/02/2011 18:43

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Drizzela · 22/02/2011 18:43

Lifecoaching/ goal mapping etc seems to bereally taking off and suits more mature people as younguns wouldnt have a clue Grin

Look at your strengths and the positives rather than the things you can't do.

Can you bake? I know a woman who makes a flippin killings selling overpriced scrummy cup cakes for weddings.

Drizzela · 22/02/2011 18:44

Ooh invigilating. Or exam marking...

PonceyMcPonce · 22/02/2011 18:46

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Greenshadow · 22/02/2011 18:48

Where I live, the local college runs a "Woman Returners" course which I attended after about 11 years out of the workplace.
At first I wasn't sure - some of it was practical (CVs, interviews, careers advice) but some was a bit 'waffly' and all about feelings which I usually hate, but in this case it worked.
Might be worth finding out if any local colleges offer anything similar. (added bonus - twas totally free).

Original poster
florapup · 22/02/2011 18:52

PonceyMcPonce - what is an 'appropriate adult'? Not come across that term before?

Drizzela - I did try applying for invigilating last year but although they offered me a post I couldn't take it up because my Local Authority won't accept referees that are 13 years out of date1 Very frustrating - how can I get references when I have not been at work for so long!

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Original poster
florapup · 22/02/2011 18:54

Thank-you Greenshadow - I will look up 'Woman Returners' and see if they exist in my area.

You are all being so helpful - I am glad I joined - don't feel like the only one now!

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Drizzela · 22/02/2011 19:29

Oh shit that is rubbish!!! (re the references) Why do some people isnsist on putting barriers in front of people who want to work?

Arneb · 22/02/2011 21:47

I've been told that volunteering can provide up to date references - though having looked at a local site in my area they do state that more and more voluntarily post now require references in their applications.

I'm studying - so that is a least one reference though it would be an academic one. I am now in fifth year of being SAHM so am starting to worry about how to get back to work when youngest starts school in few years time.

So if you have done something kind of volunteering or studying might help with references.

Here adult education service and children centres run short course that help people back into work.

Original poster
florapup · 23/02/2011 07:16

Arned - yes, very true a lot of volunteering opportunities do ask for 2 references - back to the frustrating and impossible loop of need a reference to get a reference!

Some references demand that the person has known you for more than 6 months while others state 2 or 3 years! I am doing a French language class one evening a week this year - wouldn't dream of asking the lady who teaches it for a reference - she doesn't know me nor is she obliged to help me.
I could scream with frustration - I would warn anyone against taking themselves completely out of the job market - it appears so impossible to get back in there!

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Sesquipedality · 23/02/2011 07:24

Florapup - if by any chance you're in London you shoud look up http://www.womenlikeus.org.uk/home.aspx Women Like us They're not the ony ones doing this stuff, but they are great.

They're a social enterprise thingy so services to women are free. They spanked up my CV, it was so out of date I can't begin to tell you, helped me identify transferable skills, made me realise that being a parent had made me more, not less employable, and then gave me back my confidence and helped me find a job that I wanted, rather than settling for what I thought would be ok if I wanted to spend time with the kids.

They even give you a one to one hour-long session with a life coach for free. I couldn't imagine what this person could do for me, not my Thing normally. but she was utterly brilliant.

Sesquipedality · 23/02/2011 07:24

Trying link again - women like us

Original poster
florapup · 23/02/2011 07:58

Sesquipedality - thank-you for your advice. I live in Cheshire and haven't come across a similar initiative up here unfortunately. I will keep looking though. Thanks again.

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PonceyMcPonce · 23/02/2011 08:14

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ssd · 23/02/2011 08:31

that woen like us site looks brilliant, pity there's nothing like that in Glasgow, i'd go in a minute!

maryz, you certainly aren't inemployable, the way you helped me with my dd's maths was brilliant!

how about offering coaching locally? maybe out an advert into your local post office saying "stuck with homework? Ex-secondary school teacher offers help, ages 12-17, (specify your subject),£10 an hour, as and when needed"

trust me thats the sort of thing I'm looking for here and I am skint but would pay it to help with homework.

I think these days you have to be a bit creative and think what can I do to bring in some money, even if its just now and then as permanent jobs are like gold dust

fluffles · 23/02/2011 08:38

helping with things like guides and scouts don't require references and if you are reliable and helpful the guider or scouter in charge will be happy to write you a reference which would probably go well with the kind of non-teaching school roles mentioned above.

it would only take a commitment of one evening a week and no cost to get into volunteering with guides (and there are fifty thousand girls on waiting lists due to lack of adult volunteers).

Drizzela · 23/02/2011 11:56

Oooh yes, tutoring is a brilliant idea!