A SAHM for 10 years - trying to sort out cv and appl. forms........

[tootiredtothink]

What on earth can I put to make my 10 year break sound half interesting and productive??

I left school at 16 so only have O'levels and CSE's (remember them?) - do I put those?? I have bugger all to replace them sadly.

I'll be looking at mainly admin jobs as have experience there but am happy to do anything at the moment - we are broke.

I went to job centre today to try to get some help there but the woman had me near to tears she was so abrupt - and I'm not even claiming any money as dh works. Applied to have my stamp paid in the hope they would have more to help me get back to work. Can't go back there again .

Mention any volunteering you have done - helping at playgroups/school etc

When and where did you gain your admin experience?

Might be an idea to concentrate on that - include as much info as poss: computer systems/programmes used; exactly what you did on a day to day basis (data entry/filing/spreadsheets/keeping diaries/whatever); some detail on the size of companies you worked for and the nature of their business; who you reported to; any particular responsibilities you undertook individually; any group projects you might have been involved in. You get the idea.

Think you'll have to mention your quals as you may not even get to interview stage if you don't.

Include a 'summing up' at the end, to explain that you're a skilled worker who's been out of the market due to family reasons, but now ready to commit to a career in blah blah blah...

You could also register with a recruitment agency; although in my day we valued current experience for perm roles, someone like you could be a useful temp candidate - but you'd have to be prepared to be flexible (and probably cheap). Temp work would gain you the current work experience that will help with perm job applications.

Good luck!

Stopped work in 2000 so worked for 13 years before then.

Guess I could add the helping out at playgroup whilst ds was there......

Absolutely! There is a lot that you do while being a full time mum that is easy to overlook. Helping at playgroup is experience that you can put on your cv. Have you considered volunteering for a while? It would build up some experience, increase your confidence and may take you in a direction that you had not expected. Applying to schools or education authorities (not sure how it is done in rest of GB) for exam invigilation is another possibility.

Also, have you considered doing any part-time courses to upgrade your skills?

And remember, your very hard work as a mum, 24/7, for no pay or benefits may not fit onto a work cv but is pure gold!

All the best.

Agree with advice given, from the employer's perspective I would have thought for an admin role you should highlight any experience of:

• answering phone & taking messages
• diary management (now there's something mums do a lot of!)
• typing and document production skills e.g. typing speed, use of Word, producing letters, reports, memos, faxes, labels (e.g. have you or could you now volunteer to produce a newsletter for your playgroup or something similar)?
• Excel skills (e.g. do you have a home budget spreadsheet?)
• Powerpoint skills if applicable
• filing systems

Wishing you the very best of luck!

Thanks all for your advice.

Now, who wants to word my CV so I'm instantly employable .