To think getting a job is impossible for some?

Without meaning to sound harsh, I think it’s your expectations that are unrealistic here. You haven’t been in the workforce for a good period of time yet you seem to want the holy grail of jobs - part-time and in an office to fit around your children.

Millions of families have two working parents without the benefit of part-time, flexible hours - they just work shifts around each other or pay for childcare.

It really sounds like you need to be more flexible in terms of what jobs you look for and what hours you’re willing to work.

I don't advertise part time roles anymore. They are swamped with poor applications and its too easy to miss good candidates. Small businesses rarely have dedicated HR so recruitment is another thing to add to your existing workload. Looking for a full time person is easier.

Call a recruiter and don't be overly picky my husband got made redundant at the start of the month and started a new job three days later.

He does university admin only has about 4 years experience in the field (worked in retail prior to covid) and no degree earns an average (outside of London) salary.

DS has some job experience already as he used to work in a recycling centre but his contract was terminated because he was absent due to ill health. He didn't get down about it, now he is well he has started applying for other jobs...

Ds is 18yo and has been applying for jobs recently for over the summer...he has been offered two job interviews so far after applying for three jobs.

One is food related on a conveyor belt type role, the other housekeeping. He is keen to earn some cash. No idea what will happen next but there are jobs out there for everyone. Just lower your expectations.

Ds is 18yo and has been applying for jobs recently for over the summer...he has been offered two job interviews so far after applying for three jobs.

One is food related on a conveyor belt type role, the other housekeeping. He is keen to earn some cash. No idea what will happen next but there are jobs out there for everyone. Just lower your expectations.

I think you’ll need to adjust your expectations. It’s seems pt, office based, in your industry isn’t an option open to you at the moment so what can ‘give’?

can you go full time then maybe see if you can flex down? (This is probably the most realistic. Most people don’t have the option to be pt, you may need to suck it up and try ft for a while.

would a different industry be an option? You might find you like it more?

could you apply for a lower grade role? You may find it easy to progress back up once you have more recent expert and tbh if you’d taken a lower level job 2 years ago you could have already got a promotion?

Does it have to be this particular industry or sector that you don’t want to mention? Are none of your skills and experience transferable? A professional coaching session might help you identify how you could branch out.

I don’t think you’re unemployable, it sounds like you’re just chasing jobs in one particular area that an awful lot of women with children will be applying for: part time around school hours, office based.

Who did she use? Obviously only if you can tell me

I think there are jobs available but they aren't the jobs everyone wants.

I remember getting my first role in care work and having numerous friends who "couldn't get a job" tell me they would never consider that field despite there being plenty of jobs available.

There's plenty of jobs available, no one is unemployable. You could have a job by tea time if you really wanted one.

You're either very selective with what you're applying for or other people are more skilled and better at interviews than you.

It must be very niche indeed if even mentioning the industry or type of work would be outing. Surely that’s the problem?

I think it’s inevitable that the same people are always picked regardless of experience or education and they are always the popular personality because people are choosing who they like bests and people who are really popular are liked by most and unfortunately people who are not so popular are less likable to most meaning they will hardly ever be the one people choose or like best.

People are at the end of the day just choosing from a bunch of people who they like best or click with and it’s usually always the same people who can get along with everyone.

It's been shit for years,/decades now, so many people chasing too little jobs.
This has pushed wages down in many office type roles.

Depending on your location and job type of course.

Going straight into a part time job is difficult.

the vast majority of part time workers were full time and then reduced their hours. From an employer pov you only need PT when one of your existing staff wants to cut their hours.

unless you have all the skills and knowledge already a PT new starter is rare.

especially round school hours.

you may need to look at jobs which offer the hours you want, rather than the job you want.

call handlers can often set their own shifts, for example.

that or you commit to a year or two full time when you’re be in a better position to negotiate.

@Samesame47 is she on minimum wage or a living wage that a over 25 year old could expect? What's your job market like for the 55+?
It's largely dependent on were you live. I'm looking to work again, but can't drive now because of medical reasons. Jobs that you don't need a car for are demanding a clean driving licence. I need 22 hours, there's a lack of decent hours. I don't know how people are managing regardless of food banks.

You probably would get more advice if you said what it was. Not sure if you want to

The fact that you say you can't state what the job is you are trying to get due to it being outing... means that it is a very small industry therefore that is why not many jobs are coming up and lots of competition for them.You need to widen your scope and just get a job that utilises your skills, lots of skills are transferable across different industries.

Could you temp?

Maybe you need to consider something that isn’t office-based? There are loads of part-time jobs in retail, care or hospitality.

Unfortunately part time office roles are highly sought after and not often advertised. Combining that with perhaps 1 year’s work in last 5 and it will be more of a struggle I’m afraid.

When No.1 son was unemployed and struggling to get a job, he was given probably the best bit of advice I ever heard (used it myself too, when I was made redundant) Start volunteering. This provides a number of things. a) gives you someone who can provide an up to date reference, b) shows you are reliable and can keep good time, 3) shows you are willing to get on with things, 4)shows you are willing to learn.
For my son he suddeny went from no interviews to a number and he got a job within a month. Sometimes all an emplyer wants to know is 'are you reliable and can you learn'!
Also, don't set your sights too high, you can always move up once you are working.