Post-maternity, few yrs out- temp at old level or perm at lower level?

[SwiftRelease]

How best to make up for lost years and out of date experience?

Option 1) Temp is more £, lots more, but in London, quite a trek from here(may mean overnight stay), at same level as former role so may be good way into future role at this seniority locally

Option 2) more junior than my former roles, am definitely overqualified and experienced for it (on paper!) but potentially a way back in locally or may keep me firmly at a more junior level.... Better work life balance as shorter hrs and shorter commute.

Option 3). Wait it out for "ideal job" to land in my lap (yeah, I know, but that's dh's suggestion...sceptical emoticon)

Any thoughts appreciated, thanks!

I realise, this is an age-old problem. Seem to be surrounded by highly qualified sahms some through choice, some through lack of realistic work options.

I'd love to hear from people who've navigated a successful way through.

Anyone? Shameless bump

I think I would go for the permanent near home. Lots of practicalities:

1. You can build up your confidence after your career break
2. You can build up goodwill over time so that they may support flexibility around children's commitments (sports days, assemblies etcetc)
3. You will be waiting in the wings if a more senior role becomes available, having proved yourself.
4. You are nearer home if you do get a call from school asking you to pick up a sick child.
5. Less commuting time = more home time + less childcare & travel costs.

Thanks. Yes that's the most sensible option, still not sure though. Part of me is desperate to wants to drive on in my career again but kids my reality.

Anyone else any thoughts pls?

Aha - I did wonder what you would feel reading my wholly one-sided post. Your gut instinct is telling you to go for the senior role. So perhaps that's the right decision for you. Personslly I have been quite surprised to discover how motherhood has significantly reduced my ambitious streak. Now my priority is the children and I would take the easier career path to fit around them. But you sound keen to get back into the fray. So I think perhaps you should! You will feel no doubt feel happier and more fulfilled. Go with your gut instinct.

Thanks, Wild... Dh not supportive, gone all oldfashioned on me saying "not fair on the girls".. I gave him grief as used to hsve a career and always said as important to me as his is to him.

Sorry didnt mean to sound dismissive of yr first post! Not at all. Judt trying to canvass range of views.

I would go for the temp role, personally. I used to work in HR (before becoming a SAHM myself ), and when recruiting employers are most interested in your most recent experience. Go back at a lower level and you could find it takes years to work your way back up. Get some current xp at your old level on your CV and you're more likely to find a perm job at that level more quickly.

Assuming of course that you are keen to get back to being at that level - if you're not, then there are a lot of pluses to less responsibilities locally.

I wouldn't wait for your dream job - chances are lots of people who haven't had a career break will want it too if it turns up!

Hi Ruth, yes thats my big fear, only as good as current/modt recent job. Oh god, don't know how to decide!

Ruth's is good advice - you are judged on 'last role'. Good luck with your DH. It will be an adjustment for him too as you are no doubt going to have to reapportion some of the household work. He's become used to the enormous convenience of you being at home taking care of domestic affairs.

I know! Shall quote your post back at him! But wont hold my breath.

I actually feel i dont know my own mind any more. Used to have uncluttered ambition

Any more thoughts after the school run?

The thing with the temp option is - it's temporary. So you could try it and if it doesn't suit, you can quit very easily. You don't even have to include it on your CV if you don't stick it for long - you'll be no worse off.

Good point, guess with childcare etc was looking from my pov for a few months or so.

I think the temp route will give you an insight into what working in a career role is like again. And it will bring your CV up-to-date quickly. It also sounds like that is where your heart is.

You will need childcare sorted and you and DH will need to adjust your roles. I am guessing he has been used to you doing everything child related, this will now need to be split and he may well need some "training" - ie what kits goes to school on what day etc.

I'd go for it. This could be the quickest way back to your career.

Thanks both, its been 2 years, well nearly 3. I have done useful-ish voluntary work and an add-on qualification in that time.

Would it be important to have the security of a perm job? Paid holiday, sick pay etc. and possibly more access to other roles (in my workplace most roles are internal recruitment only)

Possibly. Just balancing that against fear of being stuck at lower level.

Here is the benefit of my experience: after two and a half years out
I was lucky enough to be invited onto an executive coaching programme sponsored by one of the banks. Women were leaving in their droves after having families and they were actively trying to recruit from this section of experienced women who had had a few years out to raise a family. My break looked quite piddly in comparison to some of the ladies there who have been out for more than ten years.

It was very useful in a number of ways, but my biggest take away from it was that when you are forgoing something as significant as raising your family, you need to be doing something that is important to you - otherwise it will seem futile. The other snippet I learnt is that women peak in their careers in their fifties when they no longer have to juggle a family (versus men in their late thirties). When I did eventually go back to work, the thing that I found the hardest was having a boss again - I was so used to being my own after those short years out.

In your context OP, do NOT go for the more junior job, you will regret undervaluing yourself and it will put a peg in the sand from which you will need to rise again. If you can temp at the same level you were before you left then you might to try this since it will give you up to date experience while you look for that perfect role. But the most important thing you can do right now is get in touch with all the people who you worked well with, find out how the lie of the land is in your industry and let them know you are considering returning to work. It might not land you the perfect job, but might find you something back at the same level you left - much easier to find a job while in a job.

Thanks, lots to ponder there. Ikwym about finding a particular value to your role (hope you've found that?) dH was analysing pay, hrs, commuting distance. I was just thinking, is it important, is it worth if? I realise that is somewhat indulgent and not sure am making sense. This thread is very helpful though.

I'd go for the more senior temp role as it keeps your options open. You can try out the commute, demanding role etc and see if it's for you. If not, it's only temporary but will have updated your experience and put you in a better position for whatever you want to pursue locally. If you take the local job you need to do it for longer and it will be more difficult to get back to your previous level. That may not matter but you don't seem sure yet.

Thats my gut instinct, yes. But dh wholly unsupportive