I’m a career coach for women changing direction AMA

[Angliski]

Hello

I’m a career coach with 15 years experience of heaping women find the right rile and change direction. I also have a newborn cluster feeding so am pretty bored. Ask me anything!

Hi @Angliski

I was wondering if you could offer some advice please? I have been a SAHM for 6 years and wish to return to work. I had done sales admin and logistics for many years but would like to do something different; I have done career quizzes on many websites to determine where my skills might transfer to but still nothing really grabs me or it requires further study (not possible, have a BA). Are you able to recommend a book or website that is really good with these types of things please?

Also, is a skills-based CV really the best style when you’ve been out of the employment for so long? Mine is currently the traditional style of a personal statement followed by employment history which has my skills and experience merged. When out of work for so long how can I still claim to have all these skills still?!

@Nexttome what excellent questions, thank you for asking them.

1. If you have time, read the earlier pages of the thread- first five or so. In those I document a process to define and discover what makes you tick. I’m not allowed to post links, but I have a book called your life plan- you can get it 2nd hand in amazon. That would be a great start.

Try to look at the experiences you would like to have- how do you want work to look or fee different? Once you know this eg- more travel or a bigger team or working with houses, it makes it easier to focus your search.

I also like the website icould.com do inspo. It’s got real life people talking about their jobs.

1. Let’s turn that round a bit. What skills have you acquired from being a full time parent- the most challenging and important job there is!

What are your key achievements over your work and home life... and what do they tell us about you?

I like cvs to be:

Personal statement
3 key achievements that relate to the job
Work experience using active words like delivered, improved, designed, created ...
And then education.
No more than 2 pages.

@Angliski I've asked a question work related on another thread and sow your after. Would you be able to answer? I would really appreciate your input.

Here is the link
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/going_back_to_work/4250584-Advice-on-choosing-between-2-job-offers

@Anca123456 have you gone back to the financial services company and asked them for a 4 day week? Tell them the offer you have had elsewhere. See if they can match it.

Hello!
I’m wondering if you can advise me on what to tell potential employers/recruiters re cv gap after being made redundant on mat leave?
Background- I held a very senior leadership role, had baby 12 months ago, was made redundant in Oct, officially finished employment in Dec. I decided to give myself the 12 months Mat leave that I should have had anyway and am now wanting to approach recruiters. I don’t want to look like I’ve done nothing the last 6 months, but am very afraid of being discriminated against if I say that I was basically on maternity (illegal to discriminate but likely). Idealistically I don’t want to work for an employer who’d discriminate so I’d rather be honest, but I have to be realistic about it…

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Hello,
I will start a new job after an extended maternity period, I've ended up staying 3 years at home with my daughter as she didn't settle into nursery, and all the recruiters and all the companies I've talked to were very understanding. Just tell them you wanted to spend more time with your daughter and you will be surprised by their reaction! Some may have children and they will understand, especially during these difficult times.
I was worried as well but the recruiters have been very supportive. Some even introduced me to companies they weren't representing at the time.
You've done so so much during the last 12 months! Looking after a baby 24h a day is not an easy job, be proud of that! And you've done well taking 12 months off, the first years are so so important for the child development. And no one will ask with you've done or learned ... because you've done a huge amount of work during this time.
Be brave and go for it! Good luck!

@Anca123456 thank you so much for sharing your experience with me, it’s given me the confidence to be honest and real as I start to look for my next role. It’s so good to hear you found positive feedback about having taken time out to be a mum, best of luck in your new job! x

Thanks for this thread, I’ve read through the first few pages (& may have done an Amazon order).

I’ve been out of paid work for 10 years, and the last few years before that I only worked in admin for my husband. I’m very fortunate in not having to work and I do lots of voluntary roles.

I’ve been volunteering at local vaccine clinics since January and this has cemented my need to return to work. I need to feel worthwhile and valued is I think the best way of putting it.

I have been a teacher but do not want to return to teaching. I’ve worked in offices, shops, pubs, takeaways, etc over the years.
My CV is sparse, out of date and severely lacking.

Having been on the scene of a few medical ‘moments’ recently I’m finding myself drawn to the idea of emergency medicine.
I don’t think I want to commit years to retraining as a doctor or nurse but am considering trying to qualify as a paramedic or similar.

Have you any advice about how to get from unemployed & unemployable to a point where someone won’t just laugh at my CV?

Just seen these and will get back to you all over weekend :)

Angliski how is your business doing? Busy? Good revenue?

@Angliski On mat leave with my third. Should I return to my fairly senior role in a very large consulting firm and break my (and my family's) back to try and make partner or take the mummy track and save my sanity and their childhoods?

Note: I am our primary earner. Losing my wage is possible but will leave us with a dull and limited day to day.

@ElfinsMumi can’t possibly TELL you what to do. I’m not you and only you know what’s best. What I would say, is that it sounds as though the options are quite binary in your mind. Either i give up everything or I go back to full on gig. Often binary feels like a lose either way. What experience do you really want? That’s the first thing….

Then we can explore “How could you get it?”

Thanks for replying so quickly @Angliski

My drivers used to be (in order of importance): relationships with colleagues/clients, status and recognition, doing something that makes the world a better place, coaching and mentoring young professionals.

My current role was a good fit as long as you could drink enough of the koolade to a) believe that our work is actually socially useful; b) smash out 40-50 hours per week regardless of being part time; c) face down all the valid complaints from your husband and kids about b; d) ignore all the warning signs from your body and mind that b isn't doing you any good either; e) smile politely through all the career development chats when a partner with a stay at home wife (or two) advises that what you really need to do to get on is just attend another client breakfast, networking drinks e
do or conference in some godforsaken city a flight away.

Since the baby, I just cbf-ed tbh. I've always struggled with return to work but this time it's worse than ever. We've barely ever been apart in a year (thanks Covid) and I hate the thought of replacing her in the pecking order with my ridiculously greedy employer.

But if I chuck it in and go for something more meaningful and family friendly - heart says primary teaching - I'm scared that in 5 years I'll be working 50 hours per week regardless of how many days I'm paid to work anyway... for half the pay.

@speakout yes, we’ve been busy. Mostly focussed on corporate work but I got a grant to turn the method into something under 25s and teachers can use for free, so I’m delighted about that!

@Adriftat46 thank you for ordering the book!

If you’ve been moved to work in the health space, it’s worth learning about all the different roles that you could inhabit and talking to a few people who do them- it’s a significant chunk of time to retrain. Yes doctors and nurses are brill, but so are osteopaths, mctimoney chiropractors, acupuncturists, physios, biotechs and they all have better work life balance.

Who is the mythical someone you have in mind?

@ElfinsMum sound like you have your answer already- and it’s really common- that what worked before birth doesn’t always work after- for a variety of good reasons.

How about chatting to some primary educators and finding out how they maintain work life balance?

@Bunbun81

the truth.

Anyone who discriminated against you as a result of that is no one you want to work for.

Sorry for delay in replying.

ElfinsMum

I am no career coach, and I don;t think anyone can advise you on the right course of action for your life.
Changes can be scary and come with risk, but I am a great believer in the power of a positive attitude.
I had a great career befre kids, but in an industry that demanded long irregular hours and travel. So I jacked in my job and became a SAHM for many years. I loved being at home with the kids and not having to juggle a job and being a mother.
I didnt want to go back into the workplace so started a small business from home.
Now a few years later my business is thriving, I earn twice as much as I would have if I had stayed in my old career.
Equally my choices may have flopped. My OH may have left me my business could have failed.
Advice would have been useless to me.
But I am glad I followed my heart and took a leap of faith.

I'm a former journalist now working with the NHS to help improve services. I work with senior people at a strategic level in all areas - local, regional and national - but they are short term and I'm thinking about my next move.
I'm nearly 50, took time out to have children (though I ran my own sewing business in that time and also ran a lot of voluntary services locally).
I don't have a degree and have no idea what to do! I am an introvert but I love teaching/training people, helping people find solutions to problems, and want to work flexibly part time.
Any thoughts? I've loads of skills but no clear path when you look at my CV.

@zurala
Change/strategy/performance improvement consultant?
Management trainer?
UX designer?

@speakout Wow, I'm so pleased you have been successful as an entrepreneur, can I ask the industry your start up is in?

I can't go the full sahm route sadly: too old; too many holes in my pension already; too many kids to support; husband isn't stable enough in his career.

ElfinsMum I make and sell craft items. Very "niche" type area.
Big change from being a research scientist!!

Damn it, @speakout, I knew you were going to say a craft business. I am sooooooo shit at craft

ElfinsMum

Craft covers many areas- candle or soap making, lithography, woodwork, stained glass. I don't consider myself particulary crafty either- it's more the "value added" that makes my stuff sell.

[quote Angliski]@zurala
Change/strategy/performance improvement consultant?
Management trainer?
UX designer?[/quote]
Thanks, I'll have a look into those. UX designer appeals a lot

I know this is a zombie thread but I have found it so interesting and useful - not finished reading the whole thing yet but already looked at tons of suggested resources!

Am hoping @Angliski is still around and happy to answer my Q. I'm late fifties, earning a good salary for 4 days a week but unhappy in my job (education field). In fact I've never had a job I love (I think I'm a scanner!). I'm feeling quite burnt out from some family and home stuff (& working for 40 years) and can afford to take a break for about three months in the hope of finding my mojo again. Question is, how easy is it to find a well paid, flexible interesting job in your late fifties? If I knew I could find something (with some work, I wouldn't expect it on a plate) I'd hand my notice in now.