Can I forget ever having a career again?

[Dorsetcamping]

I am 48 and have been a SAHM for the last 9 years.
I would really like to get back out there but my skills and experience no longer seem relevant. Plus the screaming gap in my employment history ensures I get written off at the first stage.

I was previously a risk auditor in the City but feel too old and out of the loop to return to that. the list of requirements that companies now ask for seems to be endless.
I also have a degree in psychology.

I have also done long stretches of volunteering in care and education but don't really want to pursue that route.

What can I do? It seems to me that unless I retrain, take a low paid 'junior' role or get a supermarket job, there is nothing left for me.

Any advice much appreciated, I'm feeling really despondent and irrelevant.

I work in the civil service, we have a lot of women returners in my office, alongside the 'bright young things' It works very well.
I have just interviewed for an entry level role, including two women returnees. They were far more confident, well presented and well prepared than most of the younger candidates, including two already temping in the team who really should have walked it. The women returners got the job. Yes its entry level but it's the civil service, reasonable salary, Ts and Cs, great training opportunities. I'd expect them to be looking at promotion in a year if that's what they want

I'm struggling with this too.
11 years in the civil service as an accountant in London, followed by a 5 year career break and now in the rural midlands.
I am totally stuck with my cv! Currently trying to do a CS job application but really struggling with the behaviours and skills bit.
I can't remember specific examples from my previous job. Everything I write sounds so wishy washy!
I'm considering a cv writing service but worried it will be a waste of money.
I could apply for a junior role but who knows if I would be successful and I know it sounds ridiculous but I feel like I'd be letting everyone down to do less than I'm capable of.

Sorry, that's turned into a bit of a pity post!!

Get yourself into LinkedIn and rather than 'firing off applications' you need to contact recruiters online.

The biggest thing that ha changed in the last decade is how people look for jobs. Sending off applications into the void will get you nowhere.

Talking to the recruiters - most of whom put their number on LinkedIn is the best way to get your foot in the door.

You're not too old. Go for it!

Please don't write yourself off. Talk to the recruiters on LinkedIn. So many companies are completely open to people returning to work and flexible working. But you need to talk to recruiters about what you want and what you can offer. Once you've opened a dialogue with as many recruiters as possible, they'll help you get an interview... if not for the original job you talked about, they'll help you find the job for you.

Your skills are wanted and transferable. Please don't give up!

I'm just returning to accountancy after a 4 year SAHM gap.

My advice would be to do some networking. Networking may also give you an idea of what you want to do.

At the beginning, I was just sending out my CV and cover letter for advertised roles which I was more than qualified for. I got no responses, I suspect from the gap on the CV.

I only heard from companies where I had a contact give my CV to an HR colleague. One of these eventually turned into a job offer.

I would literally even chat with other parents at the play ground. Trying to find those or their partners who were working in the industry I wanted to work in. I used LinkedIn to connect with everyone I met while networking. It's taken 9 months.