Would you apply for this job?

[Mrsfrumble]

Administrator in a church. The issue is that it's my church, the one that DH and I have been going to for donkey's years. Pros are that it's pretty flexible and there's no commute, I already have decent grasp of the inner workings of the church and some of the relevant experience (last job wasn't admin but involved a lot of admin).

Cons are mainly that if I apply and don't get the job, will it be really awkward? Or if I get it and for some reason I'm rubbish a thing it and don't pass the probationary period? The people conducting the interview I've known for years and are dear friends which will seem very strange. I feel very self-conscious about putting myself forward, even though it was initially suggested to me by congregation members.

I'm aware that I may be trying to talk myself out of it. I've been a SAHM for the past 4 years, but now my youngest has just started school and I want to (and financially need to) work again, preferably in this sort of flexible, close to home job. But my confidence is really low and the idea of failing, either at application/interview stage or on the job fills me with panic.

[scurryfunge]

Do it. You'll regret it if you don't at least try.

[Mrsfrumble]

Yeah I need to, don't I? I've been meaning to talk to the vicar about it but was worried that might not be appropriate (see I'm already worrying about the boundaries between personal and professional which working there might test) and now it's a bit late.

Closing date is Friday. I've been composing my covering letter in my head for the past few days. I'll sit down and draft it tonight when kids are in bed. Eep!

[Chosenbyyou]

Go for it - you care about the 'organisation' and that it what they will want. You will go the extra mile for them and want them to be successful on a personal and business level.

I can't think of someone I would rather apply if I was the vicar.

Sell yourself in the letter - never ever put yourself down in the letter or the interview. Do not say ...I can't do xxx but I can learn - focus on your strengths of which you will have many. Write all your strengths down in a list - the things you are good at and things you can do. Focus on this - any self doubting thoughts come into your mind...stop yourself and re-read the list.

You will be perfect for that job xx

[Allthebestnamesareused]

Do it. I applied for a job at DS school (which I am way overqualified for) and didn't get it.

I assume there was a more suitable candidate and that it wasn't a reflection on me.

[zippydoodaar]

Do it.

[Mrsfrumble]

Thanks for the encouragement (especially Chosenbyyou, you wanna come and be my life coach? You lovely person!)

I spent a couple of hours this afternoon working on my CV and covering letter, and will tackle it again when the children are in bed. I'm trying to focus on the admin aspects of my old job, but I'm worried if I cut out too much of the other, less relevant stuff I did it might look a bit empty.

The vicar is fairly new and I find it hard to judge if he'll value professionalism and more relevant experience over commitment to the church. I do several voluntary roles and (I hope) have proved myself willing to get stuck in to whatever is asked of me.

[SwedishEdith]

Do it. It sounds like a lovely job and I'm an atheist.

[parklives]

Do it! Sounds like an ideal job, and you, the ideal candidate.

[Mrsfrumble]

Application done and submitted! Phew!

Even if I don't get this one, it's practice for the next time, right? I hadn't applied for a job since early 2010 so was a bit rusty.

[Mrsfrumble]

I wish I had trusted my reservations. I wasn't at all what they are looking for and now I feel like an idiot.

[coupester]

@Mrsfrumble you're not an idiot, please don't feel bad. You gave it a go and that was very brave of you!

Be proud that you put yourself out there.

You weren't what they were looking for - did they give you any more to go on than this? It would be helpful to know why as you could learn from it and use any criticism/advice when applying for the next post.

Good luck in finding a job, just be yourself and don't downplay your skills. Be confident. You can do this!

[UpLighter]

Good on you for trying and taking the action!
Silly of them not to be clearer with a job description of what they actually needed.
First attempt is practice, second attempt is success :)

[Mrsfrumble]

Apparently all the applicants who made the short list have current experience as church administrators.

As I say, I haven't worked for 4 years (most of them spent living abroad as a "trailing spouse" with tiny children), and although my last job involved a lot of admin, that wasn't my official role and it was in a completely different industry.

DH is always telling me I have plenty of transferable skills which I tried to emphasise, and I was hoping that my commitment to the church (evidenced by all the voluntary stuff I do) would work in my favour. But I had a brief chat with the vicar after I'd applied and he seemed a bit baffled as to why the Jeff I'd done so, so I obviously misjudged it badly.

I poured my heart out a bit in the covering letter about how I felt the job was a perfect fit for my circumstances, and about how much I'd gained from being a church member and I wanted to give back. They've obviously taken a far more detached and professional approach so I probably came across as clueless and desperate.

But thank you for your kind words uplighter and coupester. I'll keep trying and in future steer clear of institutions I feel personally invested in!

[Happyperson123]

Mrsfrumble - don't give up. You'll find something. The next covering letter you do make it a bit more about professional stuff rather than emotional. You sound like an absolutely lovely person.

Good luck

[TravellingFleet]

I know that plenty of churches prefer not to have a member of the congregation as administrator as it does create these awkward faith-work overlaps. For a start, it's hat for the congregation to know when you're working and when you're not. I think they probably wanted to follow current guidelines in hiring.