Getting back into the workforce after a long break?

earthmother

How do you do it?

I've not been employed since 2001 - It started as maternity leave which then was followed by my husband becoming disabled and me having to be his full-time carer, along with bringing up the children.

But, we are now in a position where I can possibly/hopefully take on some part time work - but the application forms all ask for references, which I no longer have. I don't know anyone well enough to ask for personal references, and all my employment referees are no longer with the companies I've previously worked for (all small, or now defunct, so no HR depts to ask either).


Add to that the fact that my experience is 6 years out of date, and I can't actually see how I'll ever get to interview stage, let alone job offers?


So, what are the tricks? The phrases to use on application forms and CVs that may help, the ways to explain prolonged absence from the workplace that doesn't cause detriment to the application, etc?

HappyG1rl

I can't really help regarding references. I think a lot of people who normally work are in the position that their former referees have moved on and they don't have a new address for them or the former company has gone bust.

What did strike me though is that you're not sounding very positive about getting to interview. You've obviously had to use a lot of skills in juggling your home life in caring for children and your husband. Don't forget this means you are good at organising and prioritising your workload and meeting deadlines!

You say your experience is 6 years out of date but many jobs don't fundamentally change. What kind of work did you used to do?

One thought - if you have a disabled hubby and you have been his carer you might want to explain on the application (not in detail) what has changed so that you no longer need to be his full time carer. Just thinking that if you don't say something an employer may not interview you as they may assume you might be needed to care for him in a full time capacity again.

earthmother

Thanks for the reply

I was in Sales Admin (Wholesale/Manufacturing) before I stopped work - but I don't think I'll be going back into that field as I'm only looking for part time right now, and those types of jobs just aren't around in this area.

I'm looking more for the more traditional part time jobs this time - shop work etc - but my last face-to-face customer work was almost 14 years ago - the Sales Admin had plenty of phone contact, but you rarely met the customers. And I haven't been on a till since Work Experience at school.


Like you say, I need to play up to positives - I suppose a good place to start will be to write a CV - haven't had one of those for years either, lol

kurjam

hope you get on ok and do find a job.
i am a mum of 4 children and have back problems and have been on incapacity benefit since 2003, then in may i got a part time job just cleaning a pub 12 hours a week it was scary at first but now i am much more confident and now looking for a job with more hours.......infact i have an interview tomorrow...
so don`t give up it took me ages to get an interview but just persist and some body out there will employ you, it can be disheartning if you dont get interviews but please don`t give up.....
i use to check and still do www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk everyday saves going to the jobcentre...
so good luck ! ! ! !

cazziebo

EArth mother -have more confidence in yourself! Look at what you've achieved over the past few years - bringing up a family and caring for a partner. You will have learned and developed a multitude of skills!

The kinds of jobs you are talking about are desperate for "women returners". This group is seen as having good customer care skills, good problem solving abilities (bet you've done loads of that!), and also the life experience to be able to relate to customers. (as opposed to an 18 year old who has never had to pay their own bills!). This group is also seen as being more reliable and trustworthy.

don't worry too much about references - two character references will usually suffice. Any of your friends professionally qualified that could give you a reference? I'm CIPD qualified and gave loads of references - and I wasn't working at the time either. Health visitors can be good (although usually have to chase them!)

Kurjam is right - jobcentreplus has a lot of jobs (they are free to advertise on so lots of employers use them) Key words for these kinds of roles would be customer focussed, team player, enthusiastic, energetic, problem solving, empathetic, keen to learn, adaptable. Just describe yourself and the words will come! Or ask your partner/friends to describe you in three adjectives.

You can start off your CV with a personal statement explaining why you want, and would be good at, that kind of job. don't play down your previous roles, but emphasise the skills you used in them, and what responsibilities you had. 2001 isn't really that long ago.

Good luck!

Cazzie
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filigree_2

I gave up my main job in 1997, was a SAHM with my disabled son until 2005 but during that time I did work as a classroom assistant for about 18 months. When I applied for my current job I quoted the 1997 job and the school, even though they were a bit out of date! Luckily the 1997 job was in the Civil Service so I knew they'd have records.

When I was younger I worked for a few organisations that are no longer trading and I indicate that on the form.

If you want referees can you think of anyone you've been involved with in the last few years? If you've helped out the PTA their chair might give you a reference, a tutor from evening classes, a supervisor from any charity work, the chair of the local Neighbourhood Watch scheme... have a think, hopefully there is someone who can give you a character reference even if you can't drum up a useful employers reference.

Oldernotwiser

Voluntary work would give you the opportunity of gaining new skills, updating old ones and giving you up to date references. It would also help to boost your confidence, which seems to be at a low ebb at present.I would also make sure that you do a skills based CV rather than a chronological one as this is a more suitable format for someone who has taken a career break.
Good luck

earthmother

Thank you all - some useful points in all your posts that I will take on board


I'm not too sure that it is a confidence thing as such - more short-term nerves, lol - it takes me a while to get going, but once I do I'm usually ok, lol

I'll rejig my CV - I'd put it together like I used to (Quals, Jobs, 'me'), but I can see the sense in swapping that around.

The referees - will have a think, but other than the HV (who I've met about 5 times in two years), I don't know anyone qualified or in a position of responsibility that could do one for me.

Voluntary work might be an idea - I know that some places are always advertising around here, but normally I've not had the opportunity.