Age 28, been at home for last 10 years.......

[charliecat]

......except for 4-5 years working at DDs nursery.
Theres a job at the post office, also joined onto the shop and they want someone for both.
Would love it, but would die at the interview....so what have you been doing for the past 10 years....er...washing up.
Nightmare

emphasise the 5 years working at nursery. it can be a challenging job. dont undersell yourself

I dont think I could sell myself to myself
Oh pity me, I suppose I could apply and if I dont tell anyone it doesnt matter if I dont get it does it..

You must apply CC, even if you only go for the interview and don't get the job, it's good practice, or so my mother tells me.

I generally don't even get to the interview stage though TBH.

Oh god yes, dp applied for about 60 jobs before he got offered 1 Feckity feck.

What have you applied for Nutty?

Definatly apply though, you never know, you might get it and then you'd feel fab.

Erm recently.....job in a jewellers, job in a nursery and 2 library jobs. Haven't heard a single thing from any, not even a thanks but no thanks.

I dont even have the bollocks to ring my old boss and ask if she would give me a reference, think im going to cry actually.
And I was friends with my old boss, but still.........wwaiiiiiiiilllll

Thats was the same with dp, even factorys, not even a nothing God id managed to forget about that bit.

Go for it. It'll be great experience. Chances are they'll hire a person they like rather than previous experience.

Im not sure im a like able person PMSL, but I am reliable and willing to learn...couldnt SAY that though. Might apply in secret, or see what the reaction to me asking for an application form is.

you know, I feel like that a bit too.

What you need to do first of all, is not overplay the importance of the interview in your head. Think of it as a little chat - just as you would chat to someone in a shop.

Secondly, ok, you've had 10 years at home. LOTS of people have time at home. In that time, you've worked in a nursery for 5 years. Talk about that. If the other years come up, talk about how you stayed at home till your children were at school (or whatever). How you enjoyed that time at home but now the time has come for you to get a job and you're really looking forward to working (focus on the looking forward bit).

And practise telling yourself how fabulous you are in the mirror - seriously. It feels VERY weird but remember, you have to put across yourself and you MUST NOT put yourself down for staying at home (so start now by talking yourself up).

And remember, YOU are wonderful!

You're a mum! You must be skilled in organisation, time management, negotiation. Spending 5 years working in a nursery shows commitment and certainly isn't being "at home for 10 years"! If you've been reliable, punctual, hardworking etc then the nursery will surely give you a reference.
Good luck!

Don't be so down on yourself - that'll be your colleagues job !

Thanks guys, less near to tears now. Think I may go in to see my old boss, ask her personally for a reference and see if she offers me a job I only left because it was costing more for me to get there and work than stay at home

Don't be so hard on yourself. You are a terrific motivator on MN - I think you would be great at it

Thanks saffy

You will be surprised. I have been turned down for some jobs that I thought would be a definate and got accepted for ones that I thought I wasn't good enough for. Just don't apologise for anything, you have made a decision to stay at home, that doesn't mean that you never wanted to work again, you are ready now and that is all they should take into consideration. Just emphisize your personal qualities and turn any aspect into a positive rather than a negative.
Good luck!

Good grief...so off I trot to nursery to see my old boss........and its polling day... the one day of the year the nursery is shut. And i choose it