Reply to: Returning to work after long break - cv?

[kaiser78]

Any LinkedIn connections or networkers that could provide any leads ?

[uk contractor]

Curious how those struggling got on.

My hubby left permie work, took a year out for fun after working his whole life with never more than 2 weeks off (learnt to fly among other things). He then got a contract role for just over a year but it was soul destroying for a number of reasons, so when offered a renewal he declined it (we both agreed it best). He spent 6 mths applying for other contract roles (IT PM) and never even got a call back from an agent.

This surprised us both (doing my best to be unbiased here) as he's a VERY good, orthodox and highly qualified PM with public sector and finance sector experience.

So he decided to try his hand at stock trading as we started a family. Fast Forward another 3.5 yrs. He's maintained an eye on the market and applied for contract roles here and there but again never got a single bite.

Stock trading was enjoyable but he wants back into IT again and we fear it's just too late. If no one was interested without a break, why would they be after effectively an almost 4 year break?

Yet his knowledge and experience is second to none. I'm a programme manager myself and frequently seek his guidance.

He's tried stating career break, sabbatical, trading, app development etc. All the things he's done in various forms but nothing seems to get a bite.

I'm assuming it's the significant gap NOW, but that doesn't justify nil returns in the past. Is it possible to be blacklisted across agencies somehow (no idea what reason for)?

Any suggestions or examples where people got back into the industry after a lengthy break would be much appreciated as we're almost st a "Whats the point?" Crossroads which then leads to panic around what else he can do now.

Apols for the long post.

Realistically its almost certainly way too late. The market is already full of high quality candidates who do not have 4 year CV gaps. Start his own business (IT recruitment agency perhaps but getting on PSL's is very tough). Last week an agent on here said he got 681 CV's in a few hours so I should imagine most of those are fairly current CV's to land another role perm or contract in IT is like climbing Everest blind with no climbing equipment and both hands tied behind your back! Being very good at what you do is not going to sell his CV anymore with large gaps getting your CV to the end client is going to be virtually impossible. Sorry not what you want to hear but it's realistic.

[kaiser78]

...

Yet his knowledge and experience is second to none. I'm a programme manager myself and frequently seek his guidance.

...

[SueEllen]

Yeah, having read the thread, that was pretty much my conclusion

Always 'glass half full' though, me

If you are approximately doing the same sort of thing then you need to help him get a role whether contract or perm.

[Ellla]

Not too sure how he's going to go contracting. He doesn't appear to have done any demonstrable PM experience in over 4 years. Not a chance an agent is going to look at a that, particularly when the market is awash with PS contractors and was quiet before. Permie land for a bit I'd say.

Yeah, having read the thread, that was pretty much my conclusion

Always 'glass half full' though, me

[northernladuk]

Not too sure how he's going to go contracting. He doesn't appear to have done any demonstrable PM experience in over 4 years. Not a chance an agent is going to look at a that, particularly when the market is awash with PS contractors and was quiet before. Permie land for a bit I'd say.

[Ellla]

How did you get on?

Curious how those struggling got on.

My hubby left permie work, took a year out for fun after working his whole life with never more than 2 weeks off (learnt to fly among other things). He then got a contract role for just over a year but it was soul destroying for a number of reasons, so when offered a renewal he declined it (we both agreed it best). He spent 6 mths applying for other contract roles (IT PM) and never even got a call back from an agent.

This surprised us both (doing my best to be unbiased here) as he's a VERY good, orthodox and highly qualified PM with public sector and finance sector experience.

So he decided to try his hand at stock trading as we started a family. Fast Forward another 3.5 yrs. He's maintained an eye on the market and applied for contract roles here and there but again never got a single bite.

Stock trading was enjoyable but he wants back into IT again and we fear it's just too late. If no one was interested without a break, why would they be after effectively an almost 4 year break?

Yet his knowledge and experience is second to none. I'm a programme manager myself and frequently seek his guidance.

He's tried stating career break, sabbatical, trading, app development etc. All the things he's done in various forms but nothing seems to get a bite.

I'm assuming it's the significant gap NOW, but that doesn't justify nil returns in the past. Is it possible to be blacklisted across agencies somehow (no idea what reason for)?

Any suggestions or examples where people got back into the industry after a lengthy break would be much appreciated as we're almost st a "Whats the point?" Crossroads which then leads to panic around what else he can do now.

Apols for the long post.

[jamesd]

Really? Where did you learn your trade then? Sounds more like a temp than a contractor to me but I'm probably being too old school.

I have worked in IT for the last 15 years, I did start off as perm. Network, PC, Server support. I've also done some web development, a lot of SQL work.

[northernladuk]

Contract - I've dipped my toe a couple of times into Perm, but I'd rather stay as a contractor

Really? Where did you learn your trade then? Sounds more like a temp than a contractor to me but I'm probably being too old school.

[jamesd]

contract

So, you last job was perm and you are new to contracting, or....?

Contract - I've dipped my toe a couple of times into Perm, but I'd rather stay as a contractor

[MrMarkyMark]

Hi,

yeah I've just recently started up a limited company. I'm in the process of putting together an email to send to all agencies.

I'm reading through it a few times before I send it out.

I'm also trying to decide how I should modify my CV to take this into account.

So, you last job was perm and you are new to contracting, or....?

[jamesd]

So true

The first person who shifts your CV tends to be under 25 and thinks CV should come in one format, so you need to get pass them.

That's very true, most agents I speak to are doing it as a stop gap / placement/ year out.

Most move on after a few years to something else

[jamesd]

Thanks for advice

What problems are you experiencing? I did very similar in 2014, I left a full time job in June 2014 to take a break, started looking seriously in December\January and started a contract in February. I took a lower role than my experience\skill would normally command as I was returning to contracting, other than that the gap didn't pose any other problems.

Hi,

yeah I've just recently started up a limited company. I'm in the process of putting together an email to send to all agencies.

I'm reading through it a few times before I send it out.

I'm also trying to decide how I should modify my CV to take this into account.

[Bee]

Hi,

I stopped working in 2014 to spend some time looking after the family while the wife built up her small business. Had been working for over a decade at that point.

Now looking to get back into hopefully a contract - any thoughts/advice/experience on how to refer to this time on the cv? At the moment the sabbatical is not on there - ends at my last gig in '14.

Field is banking. Net development if important...

Cheers!

I had my first contract after a longer break than yours.
Can be dificult and sometimes can be depressing, you should insist, don't give up... enjoy life between.

[northernladuk]

What problems are you experiencing? I did very similar in 2014, I left a full time job in June 2014 to take a break, started looking seriously in December\January and started a contract in February. I took a lower role than my experience\skill would normally command as I was returning to contracting, other than that the gap didn't pose any other problems.

You know sitting on reception answering the phones with your clients name will put you inside IR35 right? You need to say 'Hello, <Your co> representing <client co>. Can I help you?'

HTH