Never worked...have induction soon...scared!

CookieCrisp

Hi all

Ive been a full time mum now for over 10yrs, I'm 26 have some qualifications but no work experience.
Awful I know! Anyway, my youngest is starting school full time in September this year and I have found a job that have put me straight into an induction on the 6th Feb...initially I was over the moon, I still am but now Im petrified! Ive never had an induction, Ive never had an interview and Ive never worked.
They havent asked me to provide a CV but what if I am expected to bring one with me? What can I put on there? Hi, my names blah blah and for the past 10yrs all I have done is change nappies and do school runs?! They would run a mile and I would beg the floor to open up and swallow me whole!

I mean, I'm not thick but I'm not smart, I can do the job they are advertising (social care work training me to an nvq level 3) the hours are perfect working around my partners, meaning that it will instantly cancel out the astronomical childcare costs for 4 children! It would mean an extra £800pcm after tax too! I cant sniff at that can i?!

I'm so scared that Ive got so used to not working that Ive got it into my head that I just cant do it? Forgotten how to do it?

I was agoraphobic for 6yrs having got over this for the past almost 3yrs I think Im concerned that this induction will be full of lots of people training in one room...Im perfectly fine with a handful of people I dont know...but a room? What if I bolt?

I sound ridiculous I know I do, I just dont know what to do

Well, I do know what to do, I want to go for this induction and I want to accept this job but what do I put on my cv? will they even want to see my cv? on the phone they quickly interviewed me, told me I sounded ideal and invited me to the induction, I just agreed and didnt ask anything but of course they will want to interview me personally won't they? What if I fluff it, urgh go bright red, fluff my words, etc?

Is it "normal" to feel this way or is it my anxieties coming out to play and take advantage?!

Vejovis

i was anxious when starting new jobs for the first 5 or 6! but after a while your confidence grows and you know your strengths and limitations.

it's not unusual at all, especially if it's your first job.

congrats and good luck

kittiej

If they haven't asked you for your cv then don't worry about it. Have they asked you to take proof of your ID?

As for the not working part of your fears - you need to look at exactly what you have been doing and ask yourself if you had to employ someone to do those jobs then what would their job title/ role profile be?

eg you have brought up your children and cared for their needs since they were not able to do some things for themselves.

You are expert at time management and organising since you had to make sure your children got to school on time and had clean uniform etc.

You have been in charge of the family finances to ensure bills were paid and food was bought.

You have an appreciation for the personal safety/cleanliness for the people in your care (children) and would ensure a safe and happy environment for their upbringing.

These are just a few examples which are easliy transferable to the workplace so stop undervaluing yourself

Oh and forgot to say well done !

katz03

I agree with kittieJ - the skills you have developed over the years are perfect for this job.

Most inductions now are very informal - it is a legal requirement (I think) that employers have to advise you on health and safety policies - show you where the kitchen in lol!

Please relax I am sure you are going to do fantastic - and congratulations!!!

Notmyrealname

Inductions are easy. Usually there's lots of waiting around and listening to the most boring speeches about elfin safety and other stuff.

Make sure you take a full birth certificate or passport along because all employers need to have proof of right to work in the UK and if they haven't asked for it, they will.

And congratulations!

heretolearn_2

Maybe it's because you associate induction with childbirth

Inductions are a doss. At our firm you would

be given a tour round and introduced to people. More importantly shown where the kettle and biscuits are.
read through our staff handbook/procedures and have a little chat about it
fill out your forms - so take your ID to prove you can work in the UK and bank details for payroll. Presumably you will also need a CRB check done but they will tell you what info you need to give them for that.
Be shown where you are working and be left to settle in for a bit
Health and safety/HR talk - explaining when you get paid, how to book your holidays, how not to fall down the stairs

That's it.

Sometimes firms give you a nice lunch as well!

It's just about giving you the info you need, getting the info they need, and helping you settle in a bit rather than throw you in at the deep end having to start actually working the second you step in the door.

Savvy_Sue

katz03 wrote: »

Most inductions now are very informal - it is a legal requirement (I think) that employers have to advise you on health and safety policies - show you where the kitchen in lol!

toilets, fire exits, and where to hang your coat and stash your bag (coats on the backs of chairs are a real H&S hazard, and bags lying around on the floor likewise).

Notmyrealname wrote: »

Make sure you take a full birth certificate or passport along because all employers need to have proof of right to work in the UK and if they haven't asked for it, they will.

If you don't have a full and current UK passport, then your birth certificate needs to be backed up by proof of your NINo - a child benefit statement would do that. Although if you DON'T have a full and current UK passport, I'd phone and ask if an out of date one would do, and if not what else they'd accept. It's for proof of right to work in the UK, and no, a driving licence is no use for that.

The night before I started my first full-time job after children and also after moving, I got myself into a complete funk about whether I'd manage to find my way to and from the office on the bus. I was all over the place! eventually I had to give myself a right talking to: if my 12 yo could manage the buses in a strange city, surely I could!!!

[Deleted User]

First of all, congrats on getting a job. You are pretty brave for getting out there into the world of work, especially after being agoraphobic, so I applaud you for that. Also, don't be scared about the induction; they obviously like you or you wouldn't have been invited to one. As others have said, there is a lot you can put on your CV besides work experience. You can demonstrate skills such as leadership, self-sufficiency, conscientiousness through means other than your work. Highlight your NVQ and don't think that your experience with your children doesn't count for anything, it'll come in handy in your job. Congrats again on getting a job, in the current climate that is more than can be said for a lot of us!

Anacrusis

There's alot of this sort of work about at the moment, I've been applying for these jobs too. If I were you and hadn't been asked fo a CV I wouldn't take one, you'll need all the ID items mentioned above though. They will have a really long application form for you to fill out which will cover everything they want to know. If they've invited you for an induction they must be happy to have you.

If you do write a CV then put your education details, then list your full time Mum status as a job with the skills you've used while being a Mum. Any voluntary work can be listed too like helping out as schools/kids groups.

Anacrusis

and good luck!

davenport151

I would like to add my congrats to you. The employer obvoiusly knows what they are looking for and as others have said all your life experience makes you an excellent addition to their firm. So many people look good on paper but often do not have the experience to back it up.
Do expect the induction to be a bit challenging though as in regards to this there is alot of legislation to be dealt with as well as moving and handling, policies to be followed, basic first aid, helath and saftey and abuse and neglect. (I work at a care Home although office based-so am familiar with the training) But rest assured although it is alot of info to take in its to help you do your job.
Take a notebook with you. Dont be afraid to ask questions, if you dont want to at the time wait until after the session. Though I always find there is plenty of questions asked. Usually the induction is broken down into smaller sessions with plenty of breaks.I also find in this type of work a good camarderie amongst the workers. Introduce yourself to people as they can be as anxious as you. You will find they are all from different backgrounds and industries.
Dont panic. You will have info to take away which you can ingest in your own time. Once again good luck!