Going back to work, and petrified!

Dontknowanymore

Hi
I'm looking at going back to work (I am a 27 year old lone parent with 2 children, 3 and 7) to cut a long story short, I was going to go back to college in September to re-train in hairdressing but in reality I need to get a job!
As much as I am grateful for the benefits I receive, it isn't near enough for us to live a decent life.
So my aim is to get a full time job and save to do an evening hairdressing course in a year or 2 as it still is something I want to have as a skill.

Anyway, having mainly worked in care, with a couple of office jobs from 2001- 2003 I've not done much else!
I've not worked, well apart from a couple of months domestic cleaning in the past 2, almost 3 years.
Plus I had a 3 year break whilst pregnant then after I had my first child.
I am looking at going back into office work, like customer services or admin but with the last office role ending in 2002, I'm thinking that I will find it hard to get back into this kind of work (which I was very good at) does anyone know if this is the case?

I need to write up a proper CV, so am looking online for ideas and templates, I struggle desperately on my personal statement and I lack self confidence and automatically see jobs and think "oh they wouldn't hire me" and have seen so many jobs about that I know I would be able to turn my hand to but almost all of them say you must have previous experience, would experience 10 years ago even be relevant?
Would it be worth trying to get temp work in an office to build up my cv?

I'm just posting really for some ideas, tips, advice?! Kicks up the bums? lol I have started my CV but don't want to rush it as I really want to to maximise my chances at getting a decent job, spent far to long piddling along doing sod all with my life!

InsideInsurance

You wont have any problems once you've gotten a job. Office life hasnt really changed that much since 2002 - a bit more emailing rather than memos, still too many interruptions from phone calls, best business is still done round the coffee machine etc.

Experience is ultimately experience. Taking a few steps on, when you do have interviews remember you can pull examples from outside of work as well as your previous working life.

Best of luck!!

dizzyrascal

I would say that 10 years ago would make a difference, especially as you were effectively a school leaver so you had limited time and experience in that role.
Are you familiar with the latest MS Office packages? This could be something you could work on at home. You might be a candidate for a cheap ECDL or Clait course. Mostly this is learning how to use Microsoft products but it can be essential to work in the public sector (and it is proof that you are addressing your skills shortage)
Are you on any parent groups (for instance) or do you do any admin other than your own? This is what they will be asking for.
If not, is there a committee or group that you could join to get some experience.
A lot of office work is web based or involves data, anything that you do to show that you have theses skills would really help you.

looby75

Have a look to see if there is anywhere running ITQ courses where you are. The are really easy and cover the basics of all the main MS Office programs. I did one before christmas it took 2 weeks but tbh I probably could have done it in a couple of days, you will fly through it too. That way you will have a recent qualification to go on your CV and prove that you are up to date so the 10 yr gap won't seem so bad.

Dontknowanymore

looby75 wrote: »

Have a look to see if there is anywhere running ITQ courses where you are. The are really easy and cover the basics of all the main MS Office programs. I did one before christmas it took 2 weeks but tbh I probably could have done it in a couple of days, you will fly through it too. That way you will have a recent qualification to go on your CV and prove that you are up to date so the 10 yr gap won't seem so bad.

Ok brill, thanks Loobs x

dizzyrascal wrote: »

I would say that 10 years ago would make a difference, especially as you were effectively a school leaver so you had limited time and experience in that role.
Are you familiar with the latest MS Office packages? This could be something you could work on at home. You might be a candidate for a cheap ECDL or Clait course. Mostly this is learning how to use Microsoft products but it can be essential to work in the public sector (and it is proof that you are addressing your skills shortage)
Are you on any parent groups (for instance) or do you do any admin other than your own? This is what they will be asking for.
If not, is there a committee or group that you could join to get some experience.
A lot of office work is web based or involves data, anything that you do to show that you have theses skills would really help you.

Thanks for your reply, I am not up to date with all the packages no, so this is something I definately need to look in to. I'm fairly computer literate and pick things up in no time.
No I don't do any admin, although the local shop owner asked me to be on the residents comitte so I could offer up my services there.

macalacka

I agree, get some IT training in and then just smile smile smile in interviews.

Your CV should have these basics...

Name
Address
Mobile Number & Home Number
Email address [not any silly ones, create a professional one if you haven't got one e.g. [EMAIL="sally.smith@hotmail.com"]sally.smith@hotmail.com[/EMAIL]]

Work History
Education
Additional Training/Skills
Referees [also good to just say "available on request"]

The more you apply for the more chance you will get an interview. Don't be put off by the jobs, you never know they may want someone they can mould to their own standard so you'd be perfect! just apply apply and re upload your CV every week on the job sites [Total Jobs, Monster, Reed etc] as this will keep you at the top of the list the recruiters can see. Agencie are a necessary evil but use them to you advantage. They will sometime only contact you if successful though. Be prepared for them to just not bother telling you if you haven't got a job. However, chase them up on this and get feedback why.

At interviews, always hold your handbag in your left hand so you are ready to shake hands with your right. Don't wear bangles either [personal experience!]. No limp handshakes either!

And the best thing you can do it really research the company!

Good luck!

Dontknowanymore

macalacka wrote: »

I agree, get some IT training in and then just smile smile smile in interviews.

Your CV should have these basics...

Name
Address
Mobile Number & Home Number
Email address [not any silly ones, create a professional one if you haven't got one e.g. [EMAIL="sally.smith@hotmail.com"]sally.smith@hotmail.com[/EMAIL]]

Work History
Education
Additional Training/Skills
Referees [also good to just say "available on request"]

The more you apply for the more chance you will get an interview. Don't be put off by the jobs, you never know they may want someone they can mould to their own standard so you'd be perfect! just apply apply and re upload your CV every week on the job sites [Total Jobs, Monster, Reed etc] as this will keep you at the top of the list the recruiters can see. Agencie are a necessary evil but use them to you advantage. They will sometime only contact you if successful though. Be prepared for them to just not bother telling you if you haven't got a job. However, chase them up on this and get feedback why.

At interviews, always hold your handbag in your left hand so you are ready to shake hands with your right. Don't wear bangles either [personal experience!]. No limp handshakes either!

And the best thing you can do it really research the company!

Good luck!

Brilliant, thanks for the great tips! I have always been told I have a lovely smile, so I will definately keep that one in mind! lol
I know all I need is to work hard at it and keep focused and I will get there, luckily there are lots of offices just in my town and I think there are a few that take on ongoing temps so if I could get in on one of them, it would be just what I need.

whitewing

If you get a temp job, you could also potentially put an advert up on the staff noticeboard offering haircuts in their own home. (Just ensure you have any insurance you may need and declare any earnings from it). Maybe print out some business cards.

saterkey

look at universities, council websites, colleges, charity websites etc dont just rely on the job centre, alot are not advertised on there, ie with the unis once in you can get staff development for free eg the ecdl and move around and up easily once a member of staff. temping and voluntary experience, even to say you have applied to do office work and are waiting to hear from xxxxx charity gives you a talking point in an interview, look on do.it.org.co.uk for voluntary experience. I got some staff development, on the job experience and a reference from a charity i worked for one morning a week for 6 or so months, well worth it.
good luck

Dontknowanymore

Thanks, I haven't actually done the hairdressing, I have applied for September but I feel like my main priority should be getting a decent job and earning some money.
I can do the hairdressing 2 evenings a week another time.

Dontknowanymore

saterkey wrote: »

look at universities, council websites, colleges, charity websites etc dont just rely on the job centre, alot are not advertised on there, ie with the unis once in you can get staff development for free eg the ecdl and move around and up easily once a member of staff. temping and voluntary experience, even to say you have applied to do office work and are waiting to hear from xxxxx charity gives you a talking point in an interview, look on do.it.org.co.uk for voluntary experience. I got some staff development, on the job experience and a reference from a charity i worked for one morning a week for 6 or so months, well worth it.
good luck

Thank you, see I would never of thought about any of this.