Wednesday 10 July 2013

Returning to work post child

I'm a mum. And looking to get back into the workforce after having seven years off caring for my child. I was naieve. I thought that spending all that time with my daughter, getting her settled into school would be a great thing. Well, it was for her. But for me it was a proverbial 'shoot me in the foot' kind of group of moments.

Now here I am. A qualified Early Childhood teacher. Previously a bank manager, sales person, call center operator, receptionist, amatuer face painter. And currently seamstress.

With a stinking big seven year gap in the middle between all that experience and now. I have been taking relief teaching work in the last six months or so. And I have had a short stint as a receptionist last year.

But it seems to be very hard to get my foot in the door in a role that will match my experience. Relying on that resume is a tough gig right now. How can I get across that I have the valuable mature approach that a lot of businesses value?

So tell me, oh life experienced readers, how did you get over this 'little' hurdle, this speed bump in the career road?

5 comments:

trash said...

I hear you. I couldn't even get a job as a dinnerlady bc I was under-experienced! Seriously?? I have been putting food on plates for children and wrangling playing children for nearly 25 years.

Anonymous said...

volunteer for a term one morning a week at a local kinder to get a current reference...

Jodie said...

Nothing helpful here I'm afraid. It does suck though, when all that experience is discounted.

Jessi said...

Oh Gilian. I am in the same boat as you. It is daunting!!! 7 years on family leave from teaching and NEEDING to get back into the game.

will be thinking of you

Annie said...

Our school was screaming out for a part time kinder teacher...and has had to take a teacher out of class one day a week to cover it. My advise, get friendly with a school, and just hang around. They will fall in love with you and eventually find you a job there...that's what I did!