I want to get back to work now my daughters are older but feel like its been too long. Any advice?

I have been a single mum for many years and now my 3 beautiful daughters are older and doing their own thing I want to go back to work. I used to do office work which I enjoyed a great deal, have done bar and shop work but my self-esteem is a little low right now and a lacking of confidence. Do you think any firms would want to employ an ';older woman'; who has been out of work for so long. I like to think I have a lot to offer but would they. Help.I want to get back to work now my daughters are older but feel like its been too long. Any advice?
All you need to realise is that you have single handedly been a finance manager , an entertainments officer, a full time caterer and a head of household!!! Take details from your personal life and transfer them into an office - yyou will be brilliant - when you ananlyse what you do on a daily basis you will be amazed how quickly your confidence will grow and belive me, employers love mature employees!! Good luck - go get 'em!!I want to get back to work now my daughters are older but feel like its been too long. Any advice?
You should not worry about not having the right ';management'; skills. Being a single mum to 3 is harder than any office job. As people have said below, just think of your skills in managing the household successfully and put them in a work context.





There are laws against age discrimination now.





Read a book on interview skills. There are tips on how to give good answers in many situations. I have just done this and it's really worth the 拢10 for the book. You can probably borrow from the library if you don't want to buy.





Confidence is a BIG factor. If you can prepare well, you will feel good and confident and will find something





Good luck
First is to brush up on what you're good at and zoom into it. So long as you're willing to take on challenges there isn't anything impossible.
Sign up to an employment agency - they will find you the odd day's work to build up your confidence. Or sign up to a part time College Course - there are some really cheap ones that allow you to brush up on the computer packages that are popular in offices these days (I recently did a CLAIT Course which cost 拢30 for 100 hours of classroom/computer time, there were all ages there were 16 year olds through to retired people, and you could pick the days and times you want proving you did a set number of hours each week. At the end you come away with a proper certificate saying you know how to use the packages).
You could also do some voluntary work - many charities need admin support. This would give you a supportive environment in which to brush up your skills, especially IT (which is essential in an office nowdays). In my organisation, we have supported 3 women in this way over the past 18mths and they are all now in paid employment. Contact your local Volunteer Centre.
You might want to take a short course to brush up on your office skills. Possibly a computer course, which would give you a chance to meet a few people, get you into a social scene, and build your confidence. When you start to interact with others your self esteem will increase.
You have plenty to offer an employer. In my experience, the more mature lady is usually more reliable and willing to work, and take a pride in what she does. Dont put yourself down - raising kids is a task in itself and one where you have to have your wits about you. Go for it and good luck. Enjoy whatever it is you find to do.