Job seeking support - anyone want to keep me company?

[allaboutthename]

Prior to ds6 I had a fab career with an brilliant salary but for a range of reasons, moving to help with DH's career and to be closer to his daughter from 1st marriage I have now found myself with a less than dazzling CV.

It's now likely that I will be a single parent and feel very vulnerable as my soon to be ex H has a good income but it will not support all the commitments. I am also keen to get back to work for the stimulation and independence.

So now it seems as if I'm back on the bottom rung of the career ladder but in my 40's so not as easy as when I started out. The job market is very, very tough and I had a phone interview, that went well but when I tentatively asked about hours the company made it clear there was no flexibility which will make childcare tough as I would need childcare til 6:30pm and my son just won't cope with that.

Anyone else in a similar position and want to join the journey??

Actually, I might just post my abysmal attempts of applications as they happen. If I ever did get an interview it would be car crash and would cheer you all up at least.

Yup, 5 years off with children. Looking for work at the moment.

Fothergill - don't be disheartened - it's the first step of a long road that will end with you getting what you want. You can only fail if you give up.

My first interview was horrible. I was standing outside wanting to just go back home, shaking and shivering and convinced it was a waste of time. It was - but they were so nice. We had a 15 minute chat and then they sent me on my way. It gave me lots of confidence - they didn't laugh at me (not that I know of anyway) and made me feel comfortable and never once insinuated that I was wasting their time.

But one year later, I have a job - after 7 years at home - so it was all worthwhile after all.
Btw, I stopped asking for an answer long back. No one replies if they are not interested. So, I only ask for feedback etc after an interview. The job applications are all lost in the web...

Ah Sweetgrape, congratulations by the way. Seeeething with jealousy. I did get a reply today - she was a nice HR lady after all. Seems she didn't reply yesterday as they were interviewing that day and I was on the reserve shortlist. She said my application was well put together and stood out but I am 6 years behind people the other 40 people currently working with more specific admin qualifications.

As I thought. Not so bad for the first try I suppose, unless she was just being nice. So whilst I am applying I'm looking into volunteering to get up to speed.

Stumbling through Word filling out an application as we speak. I have NO idea what I am doing but am cobbling together something that seems to look professional on the outline view at least. Possibly the work of a madman if you looked at the workings...Sort of the equivalent of tidying up a room by putting it all in a drawer.

I suppose I'd better just get trained up. But I'd rather spend that money on training as a journalist or something that I wouldn't be able to easily pick up on the job. Shall I just put 'trust me.' on the application.

Hi, can I join?

Im 33 have 3 DCs and a not very good CV either.

I havent read the thread yet, but will later. I have just got a bit of time to tell you my story and background to work. Its really getting me down today.

I left Uni and went to work in an office, Over the next 7 years I worked in 3 offices, the last one being for 4 years and had 2 promotions within that last job. While I was on mat leave with DC2 I took voluntary redundancy and decided to stay at home a bit more and spend time with the family. This was 4 years ago and in that time Ive had a couple of temp jobs in shops. My last one finished Jan 2011 and then I also found I was PG with DC3 (totally unplanned, but we decided to go with it). Anyway now DC3 is 9MO so I have decided the time is right to get back into work properly.

I have applied for a couple of jobs and had one interview. I didnt get that job as they went for someone with experience that was much more recent than mine. Anyway yesterday I took myself off to a couple of agencies. I was basically told that as my last experience in an office was 4 years ago there would always be someone else who had more recent experience that employers would be more willing to take on. I totally get that and understand, but it doesn't stop that being frustrating.

So thats me now my dilema is this. Do I stick with applying for the jobs which I am (ie all officy based mainly in accounts - i have no accounting qualifications which I would love to have, just can't afford it) or do I look for shop work for now, but will that just put me back more? I have nothing against shop work, its just not what I want to do.

sorry, name change as was about to post on something last night that I didnt want to out myself on. Lucky I didn't eh? I am a bit accident prone like that. But I won't put that on my applications either...

I found the agencies useless. I got interviews through gumtree (startups who don't care what you are doing as long as you can do the job)
And friends refering me at their workplaces.
The agencies finally told me not to bother applying... But the companies contacted directly were much more positive - so it's not really that companies aren't interested - but more that the agencies can't see past the break.

sweetgrape I agree that agencies aren't brilliant they are always trying to give you jobs that are totally not for you, usually because there is a bit contract with that company. A few years ago I went for an interview through an agency for one of two positions. I got the job, the other girl who started with me came from a different agency and it was another I was registered with but they never told me about it. The only problem is that I have virtually no other way of looking for office work. Ive looked on gumtree its all work from home or adult type of work neither of which is for me. I dont have any friends who can refer me. Thats not as sad as it sounds, Ive just moved to a new area and dont really know anyone yet. I am looking elsewhere too, but it is one possiblility, as long as they dont try to stick me in a call centre I'll be fine. Also I could use it for experience value and enhance my CV a bit.