Job search after 3 year break. SAHM

Sarahlou2

Hello

I have been out of work for 3 years (by choice) to raise my daughter who is now 3. My oh has a good job but works shifts (days/nights) and we've managed on his income. My daughter is due to start nursery soon where she will get her entitled free 15 hours, so I will have no excuse to not work haha, but I do actually want to go back to work. Ive done office work for most of my working life but I'm not sure whether to go back to this or work in a shop or get a cleaning job. I just feel a bit stuck though cos I'm not sure how flexible employers are to fit working hours with the selected nursery hours? Especially in retail where they want you on a rota. Or I suppose office work would be more fitting as the hours tend to be fixed. It's just finding the right job that fits in with the childcare. I have been job searching since November last year and none of the roles I have seen seem to "fit" with what I need. I'm waffling on a bit now but just wondering what others did when going back to work after a long break. Fitting the hours into childcare. Thanks xx

Comms69

Obviously there are thousands of people in exactly the same position; so jobs like these tend to be a bit scarce.


Many people end up going into the care sector. It's less than ideal you OH is shift working also.


Have you tried asking friends etc for contacts / netowrking

Ozzuk

Why not start your own business - window cleaning, gardening, car detailing, book keeping, child minding, dog walking, house cleaner, ironing etc. Choose your own hours!

Sarahlou2

Yes I'm currently networking with a live CV on LinkedIn and other job sites. I haven't been looking long so maybe I'm just getting impatient. I suppose I'm lucky enough to be slightly picky at the moment but it's probably looking like something like a cleaning job as they are available often. My last job was 20 miles away I would probably have been inclined to stay and if it was closer, and would have been happy to put my daughter I'm childcare.

trailingspouse

Working in schools is a good place to start in your situation - they need admin staff as well as pupil-facing staff. Also, supermarkets can be flexible re hours. And look for places that need extra cover at lunchtime, such as cafes.
I did a variety of jobs when my kids were this age, and my OH worked shifts - I was an Avon lady (is that still a thing??), made sandwiches at Greggs, waited table at a cafe, worked part-time at an insurance brokers (which is what I was qualified in), did party-plan, and worked as a childminder. Not all at the same time, I hasten to add!!

Sarahlou2

Thank you, you've all given me some inspiration. Yes Avon is still a thing my mum was an Avon lady too in the early 90's. I suppose I'm also not sure whether to get a job before she starts nursery or wait to see how she settles in and then if she loves it try and get a full time job. I'm also dreading how I would explain to employers that I've had a 3 year break because apparently it puts them off that you're a stay at home mum. It's my own fault for being out of it for so long I suppose, and I'll definitely consider work in maybe a school environment, after my auntie became a mum she trained to be a teaching assistant. I feel like a teenager again leaving school with so many options and being a little unsure where to start.

Comms69

Sarahlou2 wrote: »

Thank you, you've all given me some inspiration. Yes Avon is still a thing my mum was an Avon lady too in the early 90's. I suppose I'm also not sure whether to get a job before she starts nursery or wait to see how she settles in and then if she loves it try and get a full time job. I'm also dreading how I would explain to employers that I've had a 3 year break because apparently it puts them off that you're a stay at home mum. It's my own fault for being out of it for so long I suppose, and I'll definitely consider work in maybe a school environment, after my auntie became a mum she trained to be a teaching assistant. I feel like a teenager again leaving school with so many options and being a little unsure where to start.

Perhaps it's different areas; but I've never heard of any negative connotations from being a SAHM

Sarahlou2

Maybe I've been googling too much. I saw an article somewhere and it said explain your "career break" but don't waffle on too much about being a parent and instead talk about all the volunteering and courses you have taken during your "time off" pahaha! Yeah right!

Comms69

Sarahlou2 wrote: »

Maybe I've been googling too much. I saw an article somewhere and it said explain your "career break" but don't waffle on too much about being a parent and instead talk about all the volunteering and courses you have taken during your "time off" pahaha! Yeah right!

Ignore that advice.


Sorry but any experienced manager will know that being a SAHM (stereotypical maybe, but it's often true) means experience with finance, research, care, flexible working / time management - and that's just me on a rant!


It may be more relevant to people who have been out of work for 10yrs+; but 3 years is fairly normal as nursery is available from 2/3 years old.

Savvy_Sue

Whatever you decide, I'd recommend saying as little as possible. Definitely do NOT volunteer that you only have one child - (some) employers will then anticipate that you'll be off having another one five minutes after you've started, regardless of your intentions.

I took over 10 years out of full-time employment but my CV at the end of that time didn't mention my children. Anyone with half a brain would have realised I'd had some, because my 'work experience' included all the voluntary stuff I'd done in that time, quite a lot of which was child-focused, as well as the part-time and self-employed stuff I'd done.