Returning back to work after raising family

[Petitegirl]

Hi all, after a 4 year career break ( raising family, supporting husband with his work) I am planning to return back to work. During this time, I have studied and finished my qualification. I have updated my CV made sure is solid and professional, had 2 people reviewing it to make sure it reflects my skills, achievements and experience. I have been applying for numerous jobs, contacted recruitment agencies and no luck at all (been doing for 2 months) not even an interview. As soon as I mention to recruiters 4 years break they all go a little bit silent over the phone and promising would come back (and never do) It really knocked over my confidence and starting to wonder if I should apply for a job in supermarket.
With my previous 2 jobs it only took 1 month from application to job offer, as soon as I would upload my CV on CV- library, Indeed, Reed I would receive numerous calls from agencies. Now absolute silence.

Ladies, who returned back to work after a big career break how did you do and how long it took you? Any words of advice or suggestions would be welcome 🙏

Personally I wouldn't try and get onto a graduate scheme if already qualified; you'd effectively be repeating everything you've already done, even if you could find an employer that would accommodate it.

OP you will no doubt have a huge amount to offer as a qualified accountant, and are most certainly not a rusty old car :-) but to get your foot in the door you may need to widen the areas you are prepared to work in, rather than focussing only on forensic accounting, which is quite a narrow field, and hugely popular.

I wouldn't recruit a qualified person onto a grad scheme. For a start off what incentive do you have to stick 3 years of lower pay if you aren't trying to gain your qualification?!

The good news is that you do have an awful lot going for you as a qualified accountant. You are by no means a rusty old car.

What is it about forensic and valuation work you are interested in? Forensic is very different career from valuation.

I know teneo and interpath are growing their teams in this area. Try Azets, Moore Kingston Smith or Evelyn partners, maybe more valuation than forensic .

Bill yourself as a bargain who brings a bit of maturity to the role compared to your average newly qualified. I have had a lot of success recently with career changers coming into my graduate schemes so I get people who are bit less green.

I'm not in accounting but I had a 6 year career break then wanted to return to work but nobody would consider me. I found a college course (short part time) that was for graduates in my field that were struggling to find work and got a 2 week placement as part of that. A few weeks later the company called me and invited me to interview for a role they had. Not sure if anything like this is available for you?

Forensic accounting- all the investigations work, analysing and gathering evidence I truly enjoy. In my previous roles ( any discrepancies, errors, mismatches I could found I will investigate and solve.
The graduate scheme doesn’t really appeal to me ( further studying for ACA) but then I don’t see any other ways getting into the forensic accounting without experience.
When I discussed with a recruitment agency specialising in forensic accounting she told me that it will be difficult to get into the jobs but as I have some language skills I might have chance.
I am in so much contradiction with myself as part of me is considering this idea( forensic accounting) unrealistic and immature but part of me is considering that I should keep applying and trying hard to achieve it.
sorry for the essay :(((

In the circumstances described, I think you'd be better to focus on getting a general position to build your experience before trying to break into a competitive specialism.

Are you exams qualified or a full member who's met the experience requirements? (You say you finished studying whilst unemployed, had you already achieved the experience requirements for qualification prior to this?)

It's not realistic to solely focus on a competitive specialism when you've been out of work for four years and have zero years post-qualified experience. I understand it's your dream but sometimes dreams are not realistic and we need to change course or take a longer path.

Once you have demonstrable post-qualified experience under your belt (and a network) it will be easier to make a transition into a specialism.

Which qualification do you have?

ACCA Chartered Accountant:)

I was in finance too and took 5 years out and only started when my children went to school. I had a great CV and was surprised that it was difficult to get anything plus was turned down due to my childcare commitments once. Eventually I just was honest with the agencies and got a slightly more junior role as a temp but it's really worked out. The downside is I report to younger people with no dependents and it sometimes feels a bit demeaning! I probably earn more than a lot due to my hourly rate and I've been doing it for 3 years now.

I'd go via agencies if I were you but try and know your value instead of seeing yourself as a negative bet. Spell out your situation. Employers also like the experience because sometimes the newly qualified have no common sense or too hungry for any sort of loyalty. They know a parent can juggle stuff and make things work.

I don't understand why you are calling it a 4 year break when you spent some years of that period studying? Your CV and your chat with recruiters should make that clear! It wasn't a 4 year break!

Trust me is made very clear on my CV about studying during this period and getting qualified.

Congratulations on getting qualified. What do you mean by supporting your DH with his job, were you working in his business? If so, what did you do?