At total loss

[stairlift]

I need to find full time work asap and am at a loss what route to take.

I am 52 and have a
psychology degree
Access to Nursing diploma
15 years compliance auditor in daracimms

BUT...... SAHM 10 years and only working PT in retail for NMW

DH's business went bust in October, he is doing temp night work and I am working every available hour in my retail job.

I need to step up and get myself a job that pays more than I'm currently earning. I just don't know what I should do that doesn't require lengthy, expensive retraining.
However I have been out of proper work for such a long time I feel I have no current skills to offer.

I would really value any suggestions on what work I could do or look to do

Have you looked at administration roles in civil service / local government/ NHS / private sector? Off the top of my head that's possibly the most straightforward route to get your foot in the door for office work (given you mention it needs to be "asap" rather than a long term plan).

You could also look on the above for job postings that use your skill set.

The jobs market usually picks up a bit in the new year.

I know people who moved from retail to office administrator roles. How are your IT skills? You could brush up a bit on Microsoft 365 with the free online trainings. You already have current customer service and team working skills presumably.

Try NHS jobs, as there might be something where some medical background might be useful, likely not to pay that well but hopefully more likely to give older applicants a fair go. Might be a way in to use aspects of your experience while you build up your experience/confidence. Or just look at what’s around and apply if you meet some of criteria. Fake it till you make it/be aware of the more or less inevitable imposter syndrome, feel the fear and apply anyway. Good luck!

Thank you so much for your prompt response!

I would be more than happy to take on administration roles but given that my I.T. skills are fairly basic I've counted myself out and just assumed a much younger applicant fresh out of school would beat me hands down
You mention there are online courses to brush up my skills?

Yes, the NHS has also crossed my mind. I'm not clinically trained so guessing I would have to start on bottom rung where I'd be given on the job training, but it could be an option. Am thinking nursing assistant or similar - hard graft but potentially I could move on with more experience

Here you go, this is Microsoft's:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/training

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/

I understand why you're assuming that younger people would have better IT skills, but that's not always the case in a work context. There's been a bit of research in the last few years suggesting younger people struggle with workplace IT more than people over 50.

Young people might be very good with tiktok and Instagram, but that's not very transferable to an office workplace where they need to create spreadsheets or write letters or manage a diary and inbox.

Don't discount yourself.

I was thinking more admin finance roles where a bit of medical background might be helpful. Just have a look at what there is locally, and as with other pps my main message was to stick your neck out a bit and apply for things. I’m sure you have lots of relevant experience and ten years is not that long, and you are working again now.

How about a higher level/retail management job? Reportedly places like Aldi and M&S are well paid and supportive for career progression

I have seen several NHS admin vacancies at my local hospital. Would it be counted against me if I applied for more than one?

I've seen vacancies recently for pip assessors.

LinkedIn is good for sending job notifications once you set your criteria.

If you've got experience in compliance work, you could look at compliance roles in schools. Independent schools and some state now increasingly have that kind of position, and it's interesting work with a relatively narrow pool of people applying for them. Look at the ISBA vacancies page if that might be of interest.

Re applying for more than one job: wouldn’t have the so. But you might get something better paid in private sector. NHS recruitment system should allow you to copy across at least some of your details from one application to another, so you can then tweak each application rather than starting from scratch