Returning to work after ten years, help needed!

[Jjlrb47922]

I'm so scared! I'd been a sahm/housewife for ten years. Need to go back to work for financial reasons. Hopefully just part time. I am so scared. I have lost all my confidence, I'm very fat, and have no faith in my ability

I've been filling in application forms and I just feel like I'm not good enough. I don't even have 2 references. I worked in customer service and we were all made redundant 10 years ago and the site closed. I haven't kept in contact with anyone. Who on earth do I out for references when they won't accept personal ones??..

And then if I even get far enough for an interview, I will be so anxious I won't know what to say.
What if thru ask me to give them specific examples of things? I haven't worked in ten years. I can't remember.
All I now know is being a mum. Can I use examples from everyday life..

Do you do any volunteering at all? Now that things are opening up, you could think of doing some, it would help eventually with references but also building up your CV.
Check if you are illegible for courses to brush up your skills. Best of luck and don't put yourself down.

What sort of work do you want to do?

I felt the same as you a few years ago. I started volunteering in my DC school listening to children read and was on the lookout for a part time Teaching Assistant job, without much hope. There was one advertised in my town and I applied, did hours of research, planning and preparing, and used the DC school as a reference. I got the job. It does happen!

Looking at volunteering is such a great recommendation! That will definitely help with references.

In terms of the interview and next stages, I work with a lot of women who suffer from confidence challenges. Remember, you have such a unique skill set from being a SAHM and tapping into those skills to transfer to the workplace is where become invaluable to an organisation!

I'm happy to have a chat with you if you wanted! :)

I am in the same situation OP.

I've been very similar. It's tough getting back out there. I have always tried to keep in mind that one day I could need a reference so I volunteer at the local Foodbank, it's only twice a month for a couple of hours. You meet people and gain experience. I've just applied for my first proper job in about 13 years and have been offered a role. The reference from the Foodbank helped.

I'm in the same position. I'm just started some self study to back up my applications and I've done some short courses on excel etc to refresh. It's very daunting but I keep telling myself to put one foot in front of the other and take small steps forwards. Good luck