to apply for a full time job

[racmac]

Im Solicitor but havent worked in 3 years and have seen job advertised.
Pros
Good job, local to me, good money probably,
i have always enjoyed my job

Cons
Its full time, i would have to arrange childcare, the dog would be on its own all day, Id miss the children and it would be more difficult to do things like sports days

I dont NEED to work but i am bored at home but im really not keen on returning to work on a full time basis.

WWYD?

I would get back in now if you want a career. Even a few years out, in the current job market, mean you may not be their top candidate. I believe in fate in these things, so I would apply, see if you get an interview (given the hot job market it's not worth sweating what you will do until you at least get to that stage) and only after a successful interview ask if there are part-time possibilities (if you indeed want to go part-time). If you are bored and depressed at home, you will want to go back anyway, so now is a great chance.

I also work full-time flexibly, still doing most of the school run but working the odd Sat (when DH takes them to exercise and music classes anyway). I would rather do that and get a cleaner/housekeeper (I don't have the money sadly) than stay home and do housework myself. But, something has to give, and I do only work and children, getting up every morning, putting them to bed every night. There's no extra time for exercise classes or nights out at present, as for me it's the only way to maintain a full-on relationship with the children. Better tired than bored, I think!

I would apply. And if it was better than I thought I would go for it (flexi-time etc). And if it was just average and I had any doubts, I wouldn't.

It's all good experience. Always good to keep your hand in interview-wise so that when you are ready you have had practice :)

woo hoo

I emailed the firm and said i would like to apply for full time position but would prefer part time (dressed it up a bit)

Ive had email back to say come for informal interview this week

{very very happy emotion]

Good luck racmac! Let us know how you get on!

had interview today - went very well i think

LAdy was a mum too (hope shes not a mumsnetter to!) and was understanding - the part time seemed to be absolutely fine.

Fingers crossed - will hear next week so thank you to all of you for encouraging me to apply

Fantastic. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

That's good news racmac hope it goes well for you, working part time can be hard work as you have to compromise both sides but definitely worth it. Keep us posted :)

Why did you say you would haev to arrange chdilcare in your first post? Are you in a sexist marriage? Why wouldn't your husband arrange childcare for his children? And why would you not he work part time? Is it because he earns more or is it just sexism?

Dog walking/care would be my biggest guilt trip

Well Xenia - he is and always will be (unless i make District Judge) the biggest earner therefore his job gets priority - not sexist just reality

WHy can't you outearn him, though? And even if you earn less if you're going to wrok full time and he does why should just because you earn less mean you need all the hassle of finding nannies? I just find other couples interesting. If in 1982 my children's father could interview nannies and be as responsible for child care as I am why 25 years later should other men not be doing that? Or is it just that some women tolerate and enable sexism

I was looking at doing the same thing . I applied for an amazingly glamourous job doing what I used to do with my eyes closed and didn't get further than 1st interview. Of course I told myself it wasn't the right time, however I was very disappointed not to get offered the job and I am SURE I'd have got the job 5 years ago when I was more interesting and confident! Now my confidence is further dented and I am looking for lowly part time work.

Bummer.

Anyways, apply and go to interview, it's experience and you never know, the kids might LOVE the childminder adventure! That's what I told myself. Mine are the same age - just about the start school and nursery.

You're not being unreasonable, you are very well qualified and clever and have obviously done a really good job as full time mummy. Time for thinking about the future. Perhaps sit down and work out the logistics, different option, scenarios, talk to friends and do some number crunching?

Ah I only saw the first two pages.... sorreeeee for waffling.

Good luck!

I'd apply.

I wouldn't want to work full time but part time hours are not unheard of in law.

I'm a solicitor in a small town firm. Changing from working 3 days to school hours only in September.

Desk job, control my own work so if I want to leave early one day to go to assemby it's no problem as long as I work the time back. D

Several others working here are also less than full time inc a man in his 60's.

If you don't work soon it will be much harder to re enter in future. Not sure how long you can go without having to do that returners course.

Do the interview and see what happens. Just going through the process will give you something to think about. You may not like them, or you may find you do.

If they offer you a position then you have a bargaining chip to ask about flexibility - split shifting,

Also, can your partner (assuming you have one), go part time, or split his shifts or cut back hours in any way? For a couple of years?

Yes, it's a tough ask, but then you've presumably had to take the tough route yourself for three years. Maybe it's time for him to take a back seat and care for the children? If possible.

Sorry if that seems presumptuous -- it's not meant to be.

I only ask as my husband has been able to cut back his hours (in news) to two night shifts, enabling me to do three days a week.

Husbands and male partners are parents too and should consider this seriously.

You don't always have to go down the full-time nanny.

sorry not read to end - sounds like it went really well.

sorry, saw your reply - good luck with further interviews!

This has got me thinking.

Why does the parent caring for the children have to possess breasts and a vagina? Beyond infancy, anyway?

My husband has found going from full-time to very part-time hard in some ways - easy and lovely and rewarding in others. And we are talking about a man who had bought a bed for a live-in maid/nanny (we lived in SE Asia then) a week before I gave birth.

I have gained a deep love and respect and awe for him for his decision, and how he cares for our daughter. He pulls out all the stops, really relishes it. To see them together melts me. And I'm not a schmaltzy person.

Sometimes it feels like we are soldier ants -- passing in the night and handing over our respective duties. But there is a balance, a feeling that I can't 'trump' his as The Mother, because he shares looking after her. That makes what can seem a hard juggling act, deeply rewarding and satisfying.

It's not for everyone, but I also think it's worth thinking about how both parents can push for flexible work.

otch, I agree with your conclusion.

Just slightly puzzled by what point you were trying to make when you said: 'And we are talking about a man who had bought a bed for a live-in maid/nanny (we lived in SE Asia then) a week before I gave birth.'

I grew up in SE Asia and am familiar with the concept of live-in maids but still don't get it.

Dont get me wrong my dh would be quite happy to be a SAHD or work part time but his business wouldnt run properly or effectively.
and he is the main earner.

blueshoes, what I meant was while I was pregnant he talked about 'not changing nappies', getting a nanny (we even spent a good week or so trying to get a confinement nanny ). So it was quite a dramatic volte face to turn around and say I'll look after her and to hell with career progression right now.

And I had hitherto bought the book by she who must not be named, and swiftly adopted AP.

Yes, racmac, I do take your point, of course.

It is a familiar answer though - "my career will suffer", "the business won't run properly". But in some cases (I'm not for a second saying yours) you can take a back seat and yes careers may suffer and businesses will run at 75 pct but does that matter as long as you can just about pay the mortgage and buy food? For a couple of years?

For some people of course it's not possible. Some careers and businesses are all or nothing. Some bosses (such as when I worked in the City) simply won't brook the idea of flexible working. And if a man asks? Forget it!

And just because we're lucky enough (and have lowish fixed costs) to do this shouldn't mean its possible or desirable for others. It's just I before I had her I also would have not considered this and I didn't think it would be possible or work well.

Sorry, just musings. I don't want to sound like Oliver James, but somethings we back ourselves into corners with our very high fixed costs. And if our child ends up in the very expensive school we put her down for then I too will have high fixed costs again and have to up my hours. Difficult, isn't it.

Good luck and I hope you work something out that works well enough (because nothing's perfect!)