Looking for work in 40s

[Spree]

My impending divorce means I will now have to go and look for a job after being a SAHM for 6 years.

Does anyone have experience of looking for work in their early 40s? Do employers prefer younger employees?

Although I have been a SAHM, I have kept up by doing some freelance work eg 1 or 2 days a month.

Thanks

HI thought I would answer you, since I am currently wading through millions of job applications for a maternity leave cover (second for this person in 2 years, very stressful for the employer!). It's illegal to discriminate on the basis of age, or anything else, so you don't give your DOB, and we are only looking at people with experience of work i.e. they simply are older-to be honest we can't act on it but we would prefer someone who has completed their family. So go for it. There are so many to wade through, what you need is something to catch their eye. The fact that you have kept working is a plus, play it up. Also voluntary work if any-like reading etc. at school-this emphasises that you've been there, done that and now are ready to return to work. It would help if you said why you have been part time, it's a legitimate reason, and how you are now ready for the next challenge. Research the position and show off your homework, and answer systematically every single point in the ad as to why you meet the criteria-I've chucked loads because they didn't mention that they have one particular type of experience mentioned in the ad, amongst several-only one is crucial but it doesn't say which. It wasn't meant to trick them but our HR is crap.

And don't say you are passionate, it's really annoying me.

just thought I would join you - am in my early 50s, been freelancing for 13 years, now need a 'proper' job. wish I could find one...!
good luck!

I am just on the wrong side of 40 and looking for a job after 7 years away. And fully away. Just started freelancing last year nov and got a couple of months of work.

What I found is that the regular agencies don't want to know me - but the smaller ones are a little more interested. The best response I've got is when applying directly to companies - either through gumtree or company website or when they have put a job on reed.co.uk etc.

Thank-you for your responses. I gave up my ft job to follow H's job to Asia where it has been really difficult getting a ft job, which is why I have been f/lancing / taking on short term contract roles.

Fingers crossed things will better in the UK for me.

just hired a lovely lady in her fifties. She came across as the most cheerful and pleasant, had the skills we wanted and could not be shocked or fazed by anything or any attitude the job was likely to throw at her. If you don't focus on your age as a disadvantage but can highlight your skills, experience, resilience and ability/willingness to learn new things (especially if you can should that you are currently self-funding on a course, learning an instrument or language or skill) you should be fine. According to the government you have about 20 more years of work left to offer before pensions will kick in. direct application and networking are good ways of finding jobs.

It's ironic I have been on a couple of interview panels where the other two thought that ' at least the one who's gone through menopause won't waste our time by going off to have children'