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 😊.

🤞🤞

I hope you hear something soon.

Well done on getting to the interview stage and feeling positive about the process. You must be chuffed.

I thought I’d come back and update as I had such encouraging replies. I didn’t get it, but there was a lot of applicants and I was shortlisted, which after so many years out of a work environment I take as a positive. I got some good feedback and know exactly the specific area I fell short, so I look at it as good interview practice.

I’m doubting a bit whether I’m quite ready.. I’ve been having some niggling ongoing problems with my (mastectomy) reconstruction, in my ‘I’m getting on with life’ mood I did some diy and must’ve really aggravated it so the whole area is all very sore now and I’ve been feeling pretty crap tbh. Getting better but I clearly need to be more careful. I have another op I’ve been waiting for since Christmas, obviously with Covid that’s been on an indefinite hold, maybe I should wait until that’s out of the way and I’m actually properly healed rather than risk needing time off. Just thinking things over, as realisation dawned that I’m not as well healed and ready to get on as I perhaps thought. I’ll see how it goes.

I’m definitely going to think about volunteering as a better option for now, which though it will be a commitment, won’t have the same responsibilities and demands as a paid role. 😊

Good to get the feedback and better to feel a bit conflicted that to feel devastated you didnt get the job.

When you get a job you should be able to take a holiday for apts you dont want to discuss. X

Honestly if you can use Mumsnet you could work in an admin based role.

Have you got a LinkedIn profile?

@Susannahmoody I know that 😊..my original post was asking for advice and interview tips, having not worked for 25 years and not had an interview for 30+ years. I got some valuable advice and I know I could do an admin role really well, I used to work in a fairly senior, technical based admin role. I would be looking for something at a lower level and feel confident I could perform well, it’s just the process of getting back out there after so long. But realistically didn’t expect to land the first job I interviewed for, especially e.g., an NHS role.

I’m only doubting myself now because of the worry of health issues, not so much from an ability point of view.