Back to work after 25 years!? Advice please.

[DestinyIsAll]

Sorry, this may be a bit long 😊

I’m 51, I have a life long severe health condition, some periods have been worse than others over the years. I did work in a clerical role pre dc (from ‘88 to ‘95) but I struggled, then also had children with additional medical needs. With all factors involved, health, no childcare, DH helpful but working very long hours, for a long time it was just too difficult to work.

DC are grown up now. Health wise, due to improved new meds they are stable and self manage, they’re doing great and no longer need me as a carer. My own health had deteriorated and was really awful for the last few years but again, same situation, a brilliant new medication, I’ve now been really stable for the last year so feel I could cope and be dependable.

When I knew the new med had been approved I started to get excited about the possibility of going back to work, or with having been out of work so long, possibly finding a volunteer position (though one I was following up was put on hold due to Covid).

I started my new treatment May ‘20 and things improved amazingly but unfortunately out of the blue in early July ‘20 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Spent the rest of the year having treatments and operations.

I’m now recovered from treatments, including a mastectomy, just on tamoxifen now. I am awaiting a reconstruction related op that’s been on hold because of Covid, but that could be delayed months as yet. I have some unpleasant side effects of the cancer meds, but I’m doing well so my thoughts have turned again to work.

I do struggle a bit with fatigue so it will need to be part-time. I’m very interested in the health sector, some kind of support or admin role.

I’m hoping for advice in a few areas.

I have no references, apart from one friend/acquaintance, who is also a councillor. She’s known me for years during which time I was on the committee for our local Scouts with her (but a long time ago, DH was a leader then), so she’s probably a good personal reference, but I have no one, even at a stretch that is remotely work related.

I’m intelligent and very capable but I was so ill throughout my childhood and teens, when my condition was very severe and uncontrolled, plus I lost my mum suddenly when I was young, so this badly affected my exam results. I have O levels, but they really don’t reflect my ability. I have an old City & Guilds qualification in Office Skills from 1988, but along with the exam results that’s probably pretty meaningless. I’ve self educated as an adult to fill in gaps and I’m always reading and learning. I think I have other positives, excellent organisational and other skills from parenting and caring 😊.

I had thought about improving my exam results or going back to college or university even, but I would really like to find a paid job, just something to start me off.

I have seen a part-time admin role in the healthcare sector that I really love the sound of.

Does anyone have any advice they could pass on, either from the application point of view, or as a manager?

Should I explain about my illness/exams historically, I don’t think I need to mention my long-term condition now, previously I was classed as disabled but I no longer am as it’s so well managed now. Should I mention the cancer (because of the further operation), and any advice about references, or actually any advice at all? 😊

I feel out of my depth and so nervous about getting out there after 26 years, but I want to use my brain, and do something purposeful and meet new people. I would really appreciate some suggestions on making me sound more appealing to a prospective employer. Thank you if you read all that, I also need to work on being more concise 😊.

It sounds like you have demonstrated an enormous amount of resilience and perseverance in overcoming both your and your children's health conditions - well done to you and congratulations on getting to the point where you're looking for a job!

The market for entry level admin jobs is surprisingly competitive and I think realistically with no experience you are going to struggle to find something permanent in the short term. You could build your experience level and some references by approaching temp agencies for work. Better still, do you know anybody with a business who might offer you you a few hours a week of work? This would help you get back in the swing of things but also adjust and up skill particularly with regards to computer skills the office environment and and familiarity with what's required in a modern office. It doesn't need to be a solicitors or accountants or anything serious, but do you know anybody who works for a small local business of any type who needs somebody very part time?

I think if you were asked you could say you’ve been out of the workplace bringing your children up to adulthood as they had complex needs.

Have you considered an apprenticeship? They’re not just for young people and you get qualifications. I’m not sure if you can do them part time though.

I think temping is a good start - zero hours contracts while they are seen as a very negative thing in the media can give an employer enough back out to take the chance on you and allow you to prove yourself. Keep your explanation of your years out of work to as few reasons as possible - otherwise your story starts to sound like too many sad stories - no matter how genuine.

If you are looking at admin positions make sure you are familiar with basic office software - outlook/ word /excel. For NHS familiarise yourself with GDPR / confidentiality and Trust values. Lots of hospitals have volunteers through league of friends etc that you could gain experience with - they will also provide safeguarding training etc which will help give you work based examples for interviews

Good luck OP I’m sure you will find it rewarding and hope the rest of your treatment goes well.

I think you might benefit from easing yourself in by way of volunteering. This gets you in a routine, some workplace related skills, some contacts and most importantly potentially the source of referees. If you look at Do-It.org you will find hundreds of potential positions searchable by location

Also, are you claiming any benefits? Your local job centre might be worth engaging with in terms of re-skilling, training and advice.

We moved to where we are now not so long ago and I have very limited contacts here, I don’t know anyone with a business.

I will definitely look seriously at temping, I actually hadn’t properly considered that and I will also look at volunteering again as realistically I may need to go that route as possibly the best means of getting back into a work environment and having something relevant and current on my CV. Hopefully voluntary positions will open up again as lockdown eases. .

I live in a rural area and even with travelling to the nearest biggish town opportunities are a bit limited so it may take a while, I will keep looking and be persistent but I think it may make sense to invest a year or two making myself a better candidate in the future for a role I would really like, than keep applying now when realistically I stand little chance and will likely just get repeated rejections.

Thank you for the responses and suggestions, I really appreciate them.

You could also look at studying with the OU?

@DestinyIsAll if there is a job you like the sound of, and you think you’d be a good fit for it, then it’s worth a punt now. Even getting an interview is good practice and a stepping stone. Nothing to lose.

I’ve found a couple of volunteer roles today that I really like the sound of and I think would be beneficial to future applications, but I think I will still do the application for the paid role that I’ve seen, as you say @VaVaGloom, nothing to lose. It is NHS and I’ve noted your advice in your previous post to familiarise myself with their systems and protocols, I’ll need to be really well prepared if I did manage somehow to secure an interview. Thanks for the encouragement.

This is very exciting OP, fair play to you for getting back out there! Great advice above and I would second looking into what courses are available to you. I don’t live in the UK so I’m not familiar. Even some online courses that you can do cheap enough. It will demonatrate your can-do attitude and willingness to learn, as well as getting you new skills.

At 46 I was sacked from a horrible job and my confidence was in the GUTTER. I went to see a career coach and although she didn't magic a job out of thin air for me (I did find one though) she really put me through my paces evaluating my skills and my values
To begin with I thought I can't afford to have values, I'll have to work for anybody. But it was good to think about who i am.
I'm not in the uk either, but I'd done ECDL and I'd done excel advanced and I'd done manual and computerised payroll and ipass while I was on lone parent allowance. So, when I got my interview I had a big gap on my cv yes but I was able to list off all the things I'd done to try and be relevant.
Good luck.

@DestinyIsAll, yes, it's harder but it's not impossible.

I would do online training now that so many are available. A local business might be looking out for someone so fingers crossed something comes up for you. You sound like a truly strong and intelligent caring person. I wish you so much for the future

Being prompt and personable are equally important for administrators and a good covering letter explaining how your skills fit the job spec makes an application stand out, best of luck to you.

I manage admin workers in a specific specialism (not health) in the public sector & we usually get around 30 applications per role advertised. Qualifications are not necessary - we don't ask for them and if provided I don't actually notice them. We don't accept CVs, just applications which need to clearly cover (with examples) how you meet the person spec. What is important when recruiting is experience. I need someone who can evidence customer service, generally admin duties, problem solving, contributing to the team ethos etc. In your circumstance, if I was you I would look to see if you could get any volunteer experience in admin/team working. I would also look for business admin/customer service apprenticeships in your local public sector - local authority/nhs/police etc. These apprenticeships are paid, open to anyone regardless of age and are really useful in getting the desired experiences to gain a permanent role. I really wish you lots of luck.

@VaVaGloom

Being prompt and personable are equally important for administrators and a good covering letter explaining how your skills fit the job spec makes an application stand out, best of luck to you.

Totally agree!

I just wanted to update. 😊 I applied in a nothing to lose way for the part-time admin role (NHS) I mentioned in my OP, and I’m very surprised to say I’ve been offered an interview for next week.

I will do as much prep and research on NHS procedures and systems as I can, but if anyone has any more pointers in relation to this or other general interview advice for someone who’s not interviewed in nearly 30 years 😳😊 I would really appreciate it, as I know nerves are really going to kick in.

I don’t think I’ll be too downhearted if I don’t get it and just take positives from the application and interview experience, but I’d still like to put myself over well and obviously give myself the best chance.

Thanks for the positive and encouraging replies. @chocolateoranges33 @Watchingthetelly @VaVaGloom @GeronimoHate and all.

So excited for you! Good luck!

I hope you have given yourself a big pat on the back! You have made a strong enough application to be shortlisted for interview, well done you.

My top tips are:
Look presentable - I’m sure you would but previously when working in NHS I saw people turn up in jeans and joggers for interviews!
I know it’s incredibly awkward but do a practice interview with a family member get them to ask you standard interview questions e.g what attracted you to this role? When you’ve encountered a problem how did you solve it? What would you do in a scenario e.g if someone asks for details on their friends /neighbours medical record eg exploring your understanding of patient confidentiality. It will help you flow when you get into the real interview if you’ve practiced.

You may have to take an admin test - it shouldn’t be too tricky so don’t worry to much - might be setting out a letterhead or composing a draft email.

Remember the panel are looking forward to meeting you. The right positive attitude and a willingness to learn go a long way.

Have questions ready to show an interest in the organisation and that particular dept? Ask about the actual job, if part time is it a job share? Working pattern?

General Positive things you like to do outside work if they ask about you.

Good luck, let us know how you get on

That’s really helpful, thanks @VaVaGloom 😊

Could you look at volunteering with an organisation like Citizens advice Bureau ? They give great training in advice work and you could learn admin skills/ customer service skills etc ? Some volunteers go on to get paid positions and it's very rewarding.

@DestinyIsAll

I just wanted to update. 😊 I applied in a nothing to lose way for the part-time admin role (NHS) I mentioned in my OP, and I’m very surprised to say I’ve been offered an interview for next week.

I will do as much prep and research on NHS procedures and systems as I can, but if anyone has any more pointers in relation to this or other general interview advice for someone who’s not interviewed in nearly 30 years 😳😊 I would really appreciate it, as I know nerves are really going to kick in.

I don’t think I’ll be too downhearted if I don’t get it and just take positives from the application and interview experience, but I’d still like to put myself over well and obviously give myself the best chance.

Thanks for the positive and encouraging replies. @chocolateoranges33 @Watchingthetelly @VaVaGloom @GeronimoHate and all.

Sorry just read your update after I posted. This is great news. I have had a recent NHS interview - make sure you know the Trust values etc. Good luck.

Fabulous news @DestinyIsAll, well done and best of luck! Some great tips from @VaVaGloom there 👌

Not sure if anyone will come back to this but after a very nervous few days and a crisis of confidence last night I had my interview today. I didn’t get asked any of the things I expected and had stressed over researched and prepped on, though it was good background anyway.

Seemed to go well, other than a bit of nervous chattiness, but no idea really, no expectations but fingers crossed. They’re in a hurry to fill the position so said they should be pretty quick about a decision which is good.