Any tips for recently divorced women in their 50s trying to re-enter job market?

[weedie]

My mum is in her early fifties and recently divorced. She hasn't had a full time job since she was in her 20s. She has spent the past year trying to find a job and had little luck. Is there any advisory service or any recruitment agency that could help her get back into the job market? She would be looking at admin type roles in the South East of England.

It would depend on her skills, if she's looking at admin roles then does she have good computer knowledge, typing speed, up to date with ms word, excel, etc. Maybe doing a course at her local college to get some certificates might help, whilst spending a bit of time volunteering in an office setting would look good on her cv too. In the mean time work on getting her really confident so that she shines at interviews.

She could always try signing up with local tempting agencies as well just to get her foot in the door. The nhs has its own admin bank staff agency, it takes ages to sign up to it but once you're on it you can pick and choose your assignments.

Try 'Women Like Us' it is a social enterprise focused on helping women get back into the job market. They do courses etc.

Could she look at volunteering in an admin role to build up current experience and to help build her confidence?

She might want to contact the National Careers Service to find out about courses etc. nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home
Doing some voluntary work is an excellent idea as it can help her to dip her feet back in the workplace, make contacts, gain some experience & hopefully can lead to an up to date reference.
She will have developed some really useful transferable skills in her time at home, so don't let her get too despondent

You say your mum hasn't worked full-time since her 20s, but has she worked at all? Skills are important but so is the way you think about and describe yourself. It seems you are saying if her marriage had not ended she would not be working; this is not a great message to convey to people in the workplace, especially if they balance home, parenting, marriage and perhaps caring with paid work.

I would echo others, are her skills appropriate for the type of work she wants? Is she realistic about salary, she shouldn't expect to get paid more than someone a lot younger unless she has better qualifications and experience. Think voluntary work would be helpful, especially where she will be working with recent graduates, returners - she will see what she is up against.

She shouldn't hark back to the past, in our day etc. etc.

Lastly, does she look a good fit for where she wants to work, up-to-date business dress, not some dated business outfit from years ago.