Job application - is this a good or bad thing to say?

[needoptions]

I've posted before about considering applying for voluntary redundancy from my workplace, which I have now done. I'm still sitting to hear the outcome, but am applying for jobs in the meantime.

Two jobs I'm keen on are temporary maternity cover posts.

Is it reasonable to write in the application that part of why I am applying is because I am hoping to leave my current role through VR, and these temp posts will give me an opportunity to consider my longer term plans?

I haven't completely discounted the idea of going back to education, but as I'm also not 100% sure of that path yet, I think I should keep earning for now and build on my savings, hence applying for a 6-12 month post.

These jobs are less money and less responsibility, so I'm unsure of how to answer the "why do you want this job" without sounding completely false.

Hope this makes sense!

As an employer reading that, it doesn't exactly scream "I want to work for you". I wouldn't write it.

Job applications should be about why you are going TO the job you're applying for, not why you're trying to get away FROM your current job.

There must be something you can put that makes it sound like you actually want the job, rather than just want to get out of your current situation. It doesn't make you sound like an appealing candidate so I'd be surprised if you get an interview on that basis.

I wouldn’t say that - even if it is just a temporary job, they only want it to be as temporary as they want, not for you to want a stopgap. I’d spout some shite about liking the new challenges and experiences doing maternity cover brings, and feeling like you were getting stale at your old job.

Too honest

I agree - you have to consider whether what you're saying is worth anything to your prospective employer, and that isn't. It would be OK to say you hope the temporary positions might open up long term opportunities with that employer.

Okay, thanks for the feedback. I think was just trying to articulate why I was happy to apply despite it only being a temp post, having come from a 14 year job.

I will go down the standard 'new challenge' route.

When I was in a similar position I said that being made redundant had given me an opportunity to reflect on my work life balance and that I felt I now wanted a less high profile, high stress role. Might work?

Thanks @titchy

On reflection, I'm not going to mention redundancy, as I don't actually know how that will pan out.

I was going to write something like I am making positive changes across many aspects of my life as my DC are now grown, and that would then lead into me be able to say what new hobbies I'm exploring.

But it all sounds too waffly and disconnected!

Looking for new challenge/change of career direction and was attracted to X thing about your organisation and Y thing about the role; as I can offer (skills and experience they want) and the temporary role will give me a chance to explore and develop myself towards longer term roles in your organisation.

I'd just focus on what about the role and organisation attracts you. As in the technical/people/business side. That's what will make you a success in the role, not the reason for your availability for the short term post.

A different view maybe but I never explain why I want the job on a personal level as that's not relevant to the employer. To me, that question is another opportunity to explain the skills you have and how that matches the job description.