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Original poster

Going back to work after a 6year break.

18 replies

LadyVictoriaOfCake · 16/11/2007 09:48

[scared]

i am looking for work after xmas, but may take on some shop work temping before xmas to make some extra funds, all depends on dh results next week, has slight rejection again. i am bloody petrified.

i am also looking at OU courses to go alongside working, but am unsure of what i want to do.

no qualifications aside from GCSE's at C and above.

trying to decide about going back top shop work for now whilst studying as it will fit in with children/hospital appointments.

do i need to do a CV? what do i put about being out of work for 6years?

[scared]

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyVictoriaOfCake · 16/11/2007 09:49

i mean petfrified about working, not dh results lol.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyVictoriaOfCake · 16/11/2007 10:05

anyone

[sobs]

OP posts:
fairydust · 16/11/2007 10:07

i dont know but i am in the same position so will follow this thread x

Original poster
LadyVictoriaOfCake · 16/11/2007 10:09

does mumsnetting count as a qualification?

OP posts:
jura · 16/11/2007 10:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
LadyVictoriaOfCake · 16/11/2007 10:17

ok

will having a dh who still needs a lot of medical care put future bosses off?

do i even mention it?

[gulp]

OP posts:
GloriaInEleusis · 16/11/2007 10:31

Yes, it will put them of. It shouldn't but it will. Don't tell them. After you have the job, if they ask why you didn't mention it, say hi mujm was lined up to look after him but she unexpectedly had to move to Mongolia.

However, if you say that you spent the last six years looking after him, this Mongolia story might be a tad transparent.

Seriously, I would tell them what you been through and how fantastic is now that everything is getting back to normal. And the you are really ready to get on with your life and make some money, have a career, further you education, blah blah blah.

GloriaInEleusis · 16/11/2007 10:35

Oh, and BTW, I think it's great that you want to go back to work, further your education, whatever you choose to do. Good luck! (not that you need it)

Niecie · 16/11/2007 10:45

Can you narrow down your choice of OU courses to an area? If you haven't studied for a while you are probably best doing an introductory course and I think there are three general ones, humanties, social sciences and science. If you know roughly where your interests lie you can do the intro. course and then see where that takes you. The great thing about the OU is that you can chop and change a bit. You probably just need to grab the bull by the horns and jump in.

Good luck - it must be lovely to feel like you have some options again after spending so long waiting for things to happen.

Original poster
LadyVictoriaOfCake · 16/11/2007 10:48

am interested in nursing/childcare type things (as well as creative writing but have missed the registration date for this years course).

dh is going to do some courses as well as he will be the main child carwer whilst i go back to work initially.

i am a fully trainied shop bod. or i was 6years ago, worked in every dept and was looking at training further up the ladder. not sure i want to do that really, but for now i know its a job i can do whilst studying.

so do i go for tesco, sainsburys, waitrose or aldi lol.

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 16/11/2007 10:49

what you need to do is be positive about your skills. Your organisational skills must be second to none after all you've been through! Make that a strong point, stress it on your CV.

I can almost guarantee you that any shop manager would be delighted to have someone like you working for them. You're enthusiastic, mature and can handle anything life throws at you! What more could they want!

Good luck with it all.

Original poster
LadyVictoriaOfCake · 16/11/2007 11:04

haha i am so not organsised lol. its like a mad rush here in thwe mornings (secretly i would love to watch dh get 3 kids out of the door on time each morning lol)

i am so worried about just getting back and working. the thought scares me.

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 16/11/2007 11:08

I symapthise hugely. I just went back after 6 years and was completely and utterly terrified. I kept thinking I was going to be found out as being good for nothing but watching Neighbours. But you can do it.

I think it's one of those things where the anticipation is FAR worse than the actual event. So when you finally start working again, you'll wonder why you got yourself all worked up!

The whole process is quite frightening. You know, I think in the job centre or somewhere like that, they do 'back to work' courses where they help with your CV and also help with interview techniques. I'm not sure if they are still doing them but a friend of mine went on one of the courses and she said it did wonders for her confidence.

Niecie · 16/11/2007 11:11

Oh definitely go to Waitrose as befitting a Lady

Journey · 16/11/2007 11:59

During the 6 years you weren't in employment I would look at the transferable skills you have gained and match them to the skills in the job description. If you have any gaps then stand back and consider if they could be learnt on-the-job. If they can then your employer will probably be more than happy to provide the training if they think you have potential for the role

Whilst at the interview remain focused. Don't mention you're looking at OU courses if they aren't relevant to the job. This will be interpretated that you don't know what you want to do.

Before choosing a OU course look at the job prospects and earnings scale. Is it worth the time, effort and investment? I don't mean to be negative here but sometimes we disillusion ourselves by thinking a course is going to change everything. You may find that you enjoy the shop work and over time move into management and earn a nice salary without doing a OU course. (If your dream is to have a certain occupation then obviously this is different).

Don't let the fact that you don't many qualifications get you down. Enthusiasm and positive attitude will far out way them.

Journey · 16/11/2007 12:01

weigh not way

PatsyCline · 16/11/2007 12:42

Waitrose staff are treated very well and get excelent bonusses as the staff 'own' the company. The benefits seem excellent, so I would plump for Waitrose/John Lewis as your first target.

Good luck, LVOC.

Boobsgonesouth · 27/11/2007 18:21

...LVOC

I went back to work after a 6 year 'career break' (that's what I put on my CV but I also included on there all the things that I had been involved in during that time so Chair of the local pre school, fundraising activities etc etc..... I wasn't sure whether I would like it but, tbh, I'm so glad that I've gone back...Am really loving the financial independence again too...and most importantly DC seem to have adjusted to not having mummy around all/most of the time absolutely fine (what was I worried about !!) Of course, i havn't been on mumsnet since I returned on August 13th (until today) as have been so busy...and I am knackered, have to be really organised and on top of everything...but still wouldn't change anything now that I've made the leadp back into working life...Hope things work out for you and good luck with the hunting

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