Back after SEVENTEEN years!

[Quarepants]

I'm starting a new job on Monday. I have not worked in a degree-related field since 2001. I have done a few bitty admin jobs and volunteered plenty but my priority for the past 17 years has been my children. They no longer need me in the same way (though being spoiled by me they disagree about this ) so I've been applying and interviewing for the past three years. No luck until now and it is a job I was originally trained for so this is a huge stroke of luck.

I am very nervous. I liked the company when I visited and feel I can do a good job so maybe I'm most daunted by the full time aspect after having so much time to myself.

Has anyone gone back after such a long time and what, if any, advice would you have for me?

Good luck

I haven't worked much in 20 years and it's the full time aspect that scares me most. I'm not sure I'd have the energy to keep going and might embarrass myself and be kipping at my desk at 2.30pm.

Congratulations 🙂 Take a pen and notepad and write everything people tell you down is the main advice I can think of. Then type it up each day so that you can look back at it. Have a read of the company website before the first day so that you can sound like you have done some research already. Might not be relevant depending on what the job is though!

The first few weeks will probably be very tiring, you have to learn so many new names! But hopefully it will feel good to be learning new things too. Best of luck x

I went back after 15 years - temporarily full time to cover staff illness then down to 3 days over 4 after about 6mths.

I’ve been there almost 2 years now and love the job. I do struggle a bit with the logistics, especially as dh works away but my boss is very understanding and allows a degree of flexible working.

I miss being able to go for a walk when the sun is shining and I miss meeting up with fiends for coffee during the day I feel guilty that dc4 hasn’t had me at home during his primary years and I can’t go on trips etc like I did with his elder siblings BUT he doesn’t seem to notice/care!

Anyway, advice - I have a notebook which I wrote EVERYTHING down in. I still do now and I refer back to it to.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you are not clear or don’t understand what is being asked if you.

Make your pack up the night before and lay your clothes out for the next day too.

If you can afford to with your new salary, outsource any jobs you dislike - we now have both a cleaner and a gardener which is just one less thing for me to have to think about.

Thanks for your advice. I do the notebook thing in my previous temp jobsso gpod idea tobring ot with me.

I'M so excited and my family are making the right noises but I think they're a bit worried that their maid/cook/chauffeur/laundry fairy/sounding board is not going to be as available to them. About time she wasn't!