Career Surgery

Being a mum is the most difficult job in the world which is why I don't understand that companies don't seem to want to hire a mum who has been at home for a year or more instead of working. If I had kids and stayed home (which I would want to do) on returning to work I would put something like this on my C.V

STAY AT HOME MUM
Duties include scheduling appointments (doctors, school, etc), time management, building and maintaining extensive interpersonal relationships. Mediating between disgruntled members, event planning and co-ordination. Being a mum also means you need to be psychic, anticipate moods be open minded and a quick thinker able to do anything from magically conjure up the tools needed for school projects to making monsters disappear and heal a broken heart. Able to work 24 hours a day; including weekend.

Sorry, I don't think this helps much but if any recruiters are reading, I would say that a mum is the best person to hire as a P.A after all they are so used to looking after people (little people who tend to be a lot more difficult)

Not a mum - May 7, 2007 12:41 PM

If you have Customer Service experience then I would list what duties that involved i.e.:
customer service or enquiries , cash handling or taking payments by Credit/Debit card. (give a description of what duties you performed)
Call Centres are always looking for potential employee's with customer service experience, either full- time or part-time. Or if it's retail then I would go for:
Team player, Eager to learn new skills, strong communication skills stock control etc.
I always change my CV to try and match what skills I have that the employer is looking for and give an explanation why I would be suitable for that roll.

Ben Fanning - May 10, 2007 5:16 PM

If you have Customer Service experience then I would list what duties that involved i.e. customer service or enquiries, cash handling or taking payments by Credit/Debit card, (give a description of what duties you performed).

Call Centres are always looking for potential employees with customer service experience, either full-time or part-time. Or if it's retail then I would go for 'Team player, Eager to learn new skills, strong communication skills stock control etc.'

I always change my CV to try and match what skills I have that the employer is looking for and give an explanation why I would be suitable for that role.

Ben Fanning - May 10, 2007 5:20 PM

Hi
Good luck with returning to the work force and finding something you enjoy. I suggest putting together a CV/Resume as follows:

An idea would be to break it down into 5 sections. First of all start with name, address, and contact details on top of the page, then first heading could be SUMMARY. Under this heading you could put what yexperience you have had in bullet form, ie working in customer services.

Under the second heading EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS you can list all that you achieved in school/college/further education etc, in date order. You could also include courses attended

Next heading would be PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT giving a list of places you worked in date order, and a brief explanation of what you did

Under a further heading ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, here you could explain how you have been out of the workforce to raise a family, and anything of interest/relevance you have been doing in this time

Final heading INTERESTS could list what you like doing, hobbies, etc.

Hope this helps!

Linda

Linda Jones - May 13, 2007 11:26 AM

My advice to you would be to start slowly in your 'come back' and don't get a full time position unless the rewards are excellent. You can later build up to a full time position if needed.

The reason I say this is because it is a shock to be back at work and juggling so many things - childcare, money, etc.

Go for temporary jobs/temping and/or voluntary work - you would more likely to get them. For example, you could ask if you can help at your child's school (explain why you want to do this).

However, if you do voluntary work try to make it relevant, to your ideal job. Try to make it suit your other commitments. Be mindful it is a two way process - they want something you want something.

I am currently working and doing voluntary work - but I am no longer dependent upon the voluntary work to get a job.

You can start to network - once people know you are looking for work - they can pass your details on etc.

After working for a time you can then update your CV and combine things that you have done in the past with new things you have learnt.

As you have been out of work for 5 years this tends not to go down well with employers. So any relevant training courses that you can do will be helpful to put on your CV. For example, you may want to go to night school, or you may even get offered to go on them through voluntary work (depends upon how well you get on with people).

After you have done some work you can then update your CV.
However, it is really difficult at first a bit like chicken and egg.

If you have experience in customer service work is this something you want to pursue?

You may be better of starting from scratch if not!

Take some quiet time and ask yourself 'what do I want to really do?'

Make the most of your 'free time' for example, you could look into the possibility of working for yourself - it can be flexible and suit your lifestyle.

Even if nothing comes of this at least you have checked into the possibilities.

For example, I tried to start my own business - however it has not taken off (many complex reasons). However, at least I tried and I won't be kicking myself in years to come thinking I wished I looked into that when I had the chance.

Good luck! From Si.

Si - May 14, 2007 9:51 AM