How to get into a good job

[InTheTeapot]

I've been a sahm for the last 16 years. My youngest is 9 now. Over the years I have done temporary retail jobs and three years ago I got a part time job in a supermarket.
Before children I was a primary teacher but don't want to go back into teaching.
I have applied for office jobs and have had three interviews but no offers. I think my lack of office experience and the fact that I don't use office IT mean that I am not getting jobs. However I don't want to have to shell out to do courses. I'm very short of money.
What job to try for? How to get close to it?
Oh and I've been to a careers advisor and on the website. Suggested jobs are ridiculously out of reach.

hi, i was also a sahm for years and decided to go back to work but couldn't afford courses so I applied to be a volunteer and got a job within rehabilitation for substance misuse. I worked there in the offices for a few years term time (learned absolutely loads) then after a while applied to an office agency who had a job at the hospital and I am now NHS staff. It was hard working for no money but if I hadn't of done it I wouldn't have the job I have now. Good luck x

Hi lightsleeper to whom did you apply to be a volunteer?

I think i just googled volunteering and an admin job was avaliable so i called the place, went for an interview and that was that. It is hard not getting paid but it got me the job i have now and i absolutely love it. I learned loads and got some good experience and I also felt i was helping people out. it also gave me a leg up as i hadn't worked for 13 years so was out of touch with everything.

Have a look at the do-it website. Lots of options. What about tutoring? There are some very cheap and good courses on line via groupon for excel etc. Google offer on line free courses too.
What about being a school governor? You can get good training for that.

Have just googled 'volunteering, in my area' and up came the do-it site where I have registered my details and registered interest in one receptionist/admin job!
It will probably come to nothing but the site looks to be a good resource.
Thank you for your great suggestions.

If I were you, I'd get some IT skills. I don't mean to be negative, but you'll never get a good job if you have no IT skills. As a minimum, you should get up to speed on Word and Excel m

Agree about getting yourself some IT skills. This site is free and should teach you the basics

Also, Have a look at some free online course like Alison

Ok, thanks.
Do you think I need to get a laptop? At the moment I just have an iPad.

Yes, definitely. Or a desktop PC. And ideally, buy one that comes with MS Office 2013.

Can you recommend a cheap one?

My top is to do a man's job. Any job that you think of as done by men and not women . They always pay much more for the same or lower level of skills and experience .

Eg a train driver starts at £35k and needs no specific qualification

I'd forget office work if I were you ( assuming you mean admin / secretarial)

My tip even

Have a look at the icould website- try the buzz quiz- could give you some ideas. Libraries have it you could use to learn.

I have no knowledge of laptops, sorry - try john Lewis, or somewhere like that where you can get advice.

Samantha's advice is also good.

Do you know what you want from a 'good' job? What makes a job good for you?
If you've been a teacher I assume you've considered applying for ta positions?

Yeah, I'm not surprised you didn't get interviews if you don't have up to date IT skills, you should definitely find some opportunities for volunteering in your area but they aren't going to be able to train you from scratch, as you are there to be useful. I'd get training, then volunteer to get experience and then apply for jobs. I'm not sure being a TA is a great idea if you've been a teacher, I didn't want to do it for that reason. Good luck!

Argos ebay stores do refurbished PC/laptop with 12 months warranty.