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AIBU?

It's 'orrible looking for a job when you're 43 and a half!

86 replies

bigmouthstrikesagain · 27/11/2017 10:11

Just got a rejection call. Interview went well, very nice people. The job was part-time admin in a council. I have lots of qualifications, experience at officer level in London boroughs but I have not been in paid work for 13 years! I think I came across well, but the feedback was I was 'too good' Sad I was told I should be applying for more senior roles, policy roles or support worker type jobs but I need part-time and flexible and local, so there ain't much out there.

It is bitter sweet getting nice feedback but no job, the interviewer did say they would pass my details to department heads in the council, so that is positive but I really really want to get paid for doing work. I have been doing volunteer work for a few years and that is great, but WILL SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME MONEY FOR DOING WORK PLEASE... Sorry for shouting just needed to vent.

I have another interview to prepare for tomorrow, also local council also a bit low status, but that is the nature of part-time work. I can handle that, but I have to overcome the slightly deflated feeling I have from the previous interview, that I can do my best, come over well, then be told sorry you are over-qualified old!Confused Just a bit depressing/ frustrating.

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Allthetuppences · 27/11/2017 10:13

Flowers it sucks. Strength to you.

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CactusCactusCactus · 27/11/2017 10:14

No advice I'm afraid but I share your frustration - if you've applied for the job, and done the interview, and asked questions it's highly likely you appreciate the level it is at and are happy with that role as it is, why do they assume as you have more experience that's a reason to reject you?!

You have my sympathies OP.

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CappuccinoCake · 27/11/2017 10:16

Yep I want a part time "mum job." Having Oxbridge on my cv does not mean I'm looking for a career at this moment. Grrr.There aren't exactly high flying part time jobs for me to walk into either!

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juneau · 27/11/2017 10:17

This is the conundrum isn't it - that the kind of job that is flexible and not too demanding is 'beneath' the skills/experience level of so many mid-life women wanting to return to work. Maybe you could address this anxiety on the part of the employer at interview - you know - talk about the elephant in the room? They know you're over-qualified and so do you - but if you are genuinely okay with that and just want to work - why not say so?

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Nikephorus · 27/11/2017 10:18

Maybe you need to stress at interview that although technically you could be doing something higher up, you really want this because you need flexible etc. and that's the trade-off you're happy with. They may be thinking that you'll do the easier job for a bit, get it on your CV then go for something better - take that fear away and you might get lucky.

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bigmouthstrikesagain · 27/11/2017 10:18

Yep, it is a rejection - a nicely worded one - but like a boyfriend saying "you're too good for me" when he dumps you for someone else.

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DJBaggySmalls · 27/11/2017 10:20

''too good'' for the job, ffs you cant win, can you.

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bigmouthstrikesagain · 27/11/2017 10:22

I thought I had addressed it at the interview, I said I was in no rush to find a more senior role, that I had a lot "going on" and appreciated the flexibility a part-time role offered. I shall make sure I do the same at the next. I think there are a lot of people in competition for these roles so it makes it more difficult. The benefit of more senior positions is fewer applicants to compete with I suppose.

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Allthebestnamesareused · 27/11/2017 10:23

Where are you based? A friend is looking for a part time 30 hours a week TERM TIME only HR/People admin person in Cambridge. Message if you want details.

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ReinettePompadour · 27/11/2017 10:23

Dont panic something will turn up. Its crap they tell you how great you are and then turn you down.

It shouldn't be for them to say that you should be applying for more senior roles. If that's what you wanted then I'm sure you would have applied for one at that level. Hmm

Is it admin you specifically want to do? I've found pubs/restaurants to be very accommodating with part time and school hours. I work during the day at a restaurant/hotel between 10am and 3pm for 3 or 4 days a week. I cover reception when they're on their lunch break and I set up the dining room for evening service and serve afternoon tea and sandwiches. I could progress through their management training scheme if I wanted to which I may do when all my dc are at high school. They have loads of students working the evenings and weekends and they just need the daytime shifts covering so that's perfect for a parent who wants to work school hours.

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CheekyRedhead · 27/11/2017 10:25

I would assume the worry is th st once you get your foot in the door, should a more senior role crop up you will leave the post you took, it happens a lot. Like another poster said, bring it up, make it clear your focus is on flexibility, maybe a lower stressed position than your time in the past as officer level so you have the time to balance home and work?

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Nikephorus · 27/11/2017 10:27

I said I was in no rush to find a more senior role
You need to say you're not looking for a more senior role - no rush means you will at some point. That means they'll have to go through the whole process again. Take that out of the equation.

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bigmouthstrikesagain · 27/11/2017 10:28

I am volunteering in CAB so the council role was a good fit as it is dealing with similar clients, I would like to stay in the charity/ public sector if I can as that fits my skill set and interests. It is a matter of time/ luck/ the right opportunity but I do feel my life passing me by as I wait for that opportunity. So ugh.

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Moanyoldcow · 27/11/2017 10:30

Have you looked at Timewise jobs? They specialise in part-time jobs across a range of sectors.

I'm part-time in a senior role and there are definitely rewarding PT jobs out there.

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bigmouthstrikesagain · 27/11/2017 10:30

Cheers Nike, you are right! I will be aware of that in next interviews, I am so rusty and have a tendency to be too forthcoming. It is a steep learning curve.

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bigmouthstrikesagain · 27/11/2017 10:32

Thank you allthebest, I think I am a bit too far from Cambridge but that sounds like a great role.

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MiracleCure · 27/11/2017 10:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Theducksarenotmyfriends · 27/11/2017 10:37

It's so rubbish job hunting! I had an interview with similar feedback, that I was too good for the role and the examples I gave in my answers went above and beyond what the person spec required. I had another interview a week later so really toned it down and focused all my answers on specifically what the person spec stated. The feedback from that interview was they were looking for something 'more' that went above and beyond the job spec! You really can't win sometimes.

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RB68 · 27/11/2017 10:39

Its frustrating - I just want to pay the bills and have a bit over fr Christmas. 40 and an MBA but really just want to be paid for a local "leave it at work" job

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RB68 · 27/11/2017 10:40

oops just knocked 9 yrs off am 49

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Liiinoo · 27/11/2017 10:47

It's sometimes worth dumbing down on your CV, particularly if you are likely to be more highly qualified than the person interviewing you.

Tailor the CV to the job you want so if it is a fairly basic admin role, don't mention your PhD in business management. When describing previous work include company names and dates honestly but don't say 'HR manager responsible for xxxxx', say ',worked in HR involved in xxxxxx'.

Also the old adage 'dress for the job you want' plays well in reverse as well. I know a qualified accountant who applied for an evening job in a supermarket and arrived for the interview in a smart business suit, high heels and a briefcase. She didn't get the job because she looked as if she did not understand the role she was applying for. I went for the same position wearing jeans and a nice top and was employed. Sure it was a 'step down' from my previous employment but it fitted in well with DHs hours and with BF and suited me at that time.

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ginorwine · 27/11/2017 10:50

Do you need to stick to school hours ?
I was in a professional job for many years - I cdnt do admin as no experience as admin did things like photo copying so I'm terrible at things like that .
When I left I did cleaning and viewer for estate agent . Advocate for charity .
Also , jobs are often advertised ( well here anyway ) on estate agent and cafe doors or Facebook .. I was assuming all jobs are only on indeed etc but I found that often they are not . Just a thought .
I also stressed openly to employers that I no longer wanted a professional job and that at this time on life I wanted something different and said why . That helped I think with the over qualified aspect .
Good luck .

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ginorwine · 27/11/2017 10:53

Also agree with post above mine .
My current employer was totally uninterested in my qualifications and work history once they knew that I was no longer interested in that way of life , in fact wanted less responsibility and could talk to people . The latter was why I got the job .

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MiracleCure · 27/11/2017 10:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ExConstance · 27/11/2017 11:01

years ago I was in this position myself, now I interview to recruit staff for my present employer. Unfortunately some applicants spoil it for the others. Over the last 12 years I have offered jobs to people who were over qualified 5 or 6 times. I have had all sorts of explanations about wanting to do a practical job rather than have the responsibilities of management, needing something local to fit in with school hours and wanting something that gives a regular modest income over something paying £££ on a freelance basis. Without exception all these individuals have left, usually after a week or two, when something better comes along. I would be reluctant to offer to someone in this category again and I think the once bitten twice shy situation sadly makes life difficult for some good and genuine applicants.

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