told i've been out of it too long!

[scaredoflabour]

Back story.
I have 3 dc.
Worked full time before dc1 as teacher - offered leadership just before I found out I was pregnant which was then taken away from me.
Returned when ds was 8mo, 3 days a week.
DD arrived 2 yrs on. We relocated and I ended up taking a yr off after having her.
Due to childcare/ relocating a second time I began supply teaching - long term 1/2 yr contract right up until dd2 arrived, she's 5months.
I've now started to look for jobs but at interview have been told, 'you've been out of it too long'

This doesn't feel fair. My career seems to have been taken away from me as I've had chn. I can't seem to get a foot in the door.

That sounds ridiculous, you have been out of it for 5 months? I would ignore that person. I thought you were going to say something like 15 years, in which case, perhaps a refresher course or something would be in order. What absolute crap. Keep going with the applications, and just ignore. How many interviews have you had so far?

3 interviews so far.
It just felt like such a blow.

I went back after 11 years! What is supply if it's not being in it? Can you not get supply in the meantime?

Backing up a bit. You were offered a leadership job and then it was taken away again because you were preg? Is that even legal?

Can you speak to the council about refresher training? Seems like a ridiculous state of affairs to me that you can be out too long after five months!

Maybe move this to staffroom for more specific advice as you are a teacher and also for lots of positive stories..I had five yrs out and worried hugely about getting back in but did. I tutored to keep up with syllabus changes and maybe you could do that, exam mark (if secondary?) and also supply..get yourself known at local schools, write speculative letters..it will happen for you! Also, re the leadership role..I agree with Beccajoh above..doesnt seem legal??

It seems to me that she was saying the supply (despite being a long term thing) didn't really count.
Re - leadership thing, I was leaned on HEAVILY, to accept that I wouldn't be able to fulfil the role as I was going to be going on mat leave. But now, I'm seen as expensive, as reached top of pay scale, but no leadership experience to back up the price tag. I've even gone for jobs that would see a £6000 pay cut but nothing.
I'm seriously thinking of retraining and starting a new career where I don't have to apologise for having gaps due to my babies.

Oh this kind of comment is my worst nightmare and a big consideration before we decided to have children. I don't have a highflying job but love to work and build a solid profile where I work.
I work in secondary education admin support and have previously been in charge of cover and finding supply teachers. I do think that supply can look a bit odd on a teachers CV simply because you are exempt from the usual observations and target setting etc. Also, I have heard leadership look at cvs and question why a teacher would work supply ie is there an issue with taking full responsibility within a school. Not fair, I know but if I were you I would go out of your way on the application and at interview to stress that you are working supply while returning from mat leave.

Maybe go for a maternity cover post - these are now often for a year and it will give you ample time to prove yourself. You are NOT out of it and if we can excuse this comment at all which we shouldn't it would be the interviewer worrying about having to work harder to support you which you know is not needed - ignore it!!

Mum was out for about 15years after she had me. Started back pt and was head of department again by the time she retired.

But you haven't been out of it (except 5 months mat leave which is modest). The woman is foolish and you should challenge her on her comment.

There are certain types of people that genuinely piss me off..the ones that think they know it all and the ones that purr whilst making you think they know it all and really they know nothing!! You have been on mat leave (which you have every right to be) but only for five months! Please ignore the uneducated comment and continue to put your cv out there, you will get something eventually that is meant for and just right for you. I speak from experience....two years off work whilst going through breast cancer and although I haven't secured a job yet, I have had a good number of interviews and hopefully through to the last stage of one this week! So hang in there and good luck.