...to be spending too much time on Mumsnet when the missus thinks I am doing job applications?

[MNHubbie]

To be fair to me it is her fault. She told me to log back into Mumsnet after being away for a while to post my question about whether a health questionnaire was legal or not. Now I'm here I can't leave!

The eldest two are happy on the Wii and she is out with the youngest at his 30th (almost literally) birthday party of this school year alone (all the social skills in our family were distilled into his tiny little body and the frustrating little so and so can charm anyone with a simple smile).

I am supposed to be working my way through a massive pile of job applications. I haven't even had lunch yet (the kids have).

I'm a mess. It is all the fault of Mumsnet.

I haven't checked my email, my googlereader feed, gone to the loo, eaten, moved or scratched my very itchy back for about 2 hours now and I don't know what to do.

I'm thinking about replying to every single AIBU thread even though I've long since replied to the few I have anything meaningful to contribute to.

Every argument the kids have about the Wii has me reply with "I don't care".

Am I being unreasonable to be spending so much time on this stupidly addictive site again?

I'm remembering why I stopped coming on here before.

Have to say online applications are a ball-ache (ovary - ache). Got one that has horrible limited fields, poor options and a limit of 500 characters for some of the fields (including spaces).

If I didn't really want the job that e-teach is offering I'd tell them to shove the form up their arse where the sun doesn't shine.

:( oh shit. I think I might have done so last night by email.

Well, I have done a heck of a lot of other stuff including tackle garden. but not the applications. Have earmarked sunday/monday as they are unlikely to get done today. [realistic] Too much chaos going on around me. It all goes away tomo and there will be peace.

Thinking telling them to shove their form might not have been the best of plans Can see the temptation though.

I finished that form finally.

I also told them off that one of their medical questions was illegal.

I was just so damned pissed off by then. It has taken me 2.5 days to do this fucking form and I have had to cut so much that I use to sell myself that I don't hold out much hope anyway.

Ah well. Onwards and upwards. That is 15 down now. 4 more to go I think but I'm going to double check international jobs first.

I'd better warn the Head when we get back that she may have one or two reference requests.

Come on... you can do it! Get everyone else to go away and get down to it.

Ah but they do go away. Tomorrow lunchtime. And this is my respite weekend from ds so I get to do some fun stuff too. few days to blow out the cobwebs and be me rather then someone's carer. The deadlines are ages away and will do new job search Monday too. It will be done just not today. It sounds like the apocalypse is happening atm. Well done with getting yours done.

That would knacker you out. Fun! FUN! You're doing applications. Fun is not allowed.

Do an experiment give yourself a drink for each bit you fill in and see whether you get interviews from the ones at the beginning, middle or end.

wonder why I quit drinking

but fun takes me out of the house to interact with actual grown ups.

Beside would coffee count I don't drink

Coffee for me would be just the same as having booze so yeah go for it!

Interacting with grown ups is overrated. A new job will get you lots of that!

failed attempt at a motivation speech over

Rofl. Very failed. I was long gone and only just got back. Shhhhh being a grown up is over rated

I agree but it has it's moments

Wh-Hoo Head of an overseas school called today for a chat and remembers working with me in the UK...

...but we were out and he hasn't been online on Skype since .

Ah well it is promising!

BUT HE HASN'T CALLED BACK! ARGGGH!

Now that is bloody annoying.

2 application packs sent off for, Applications review (several culled due to natural selection and being realistic), new job search done. 3/4s of application form done, CV being revamped completely.

Now going for a walk as I think my brain is fried and my muscles are seizing up from still at the computer for so long.

Coolio. Are you doing them on paper? Electronic copies are slightly easier and you get a lot more done.

All sorted now, he messaged yesterday and I've got an interview lined up for Friday afternoon.

Onwards and upwards then. Nope mostly electronic just ultimately rather shit at paperwork. Would rather be doing 101 other things tbh.

I know the feeling. I've got another 4 to do but can't be arsed. Using the perfectly valid excuse of preparing for the interview on Friday.

Well done MN - after all the point of all those applications is to get an interview, and now you've got a very interesting one. I think doing all you can to prepare for that opportunity is absolutely the right thing to be doing. Good luck for Friday !

Many thanks. Desperately doing so and trying not to count chickens or get ahead of ourselves on planning (could do with the two weeks holiday to start preparations if I do get it, lol). Ego at a real low though after last interview and I have to keep reminding myself I'm a strong candidate and then not get carried away... and then remind myself I have a chance... then not get carried away!

Preparation is key. I've made myself an expert on the country now I need to learn as much as I can about the school and international qualifications.

Good luck all!

Confidence is good though I think for interviews, and enthusiasm.

Better slightly over confident than too quiet I'm feeling.

I've had three interviews recently and feel I should have been more confident and enthusiastic. Also more prepared to show everything and anything I might be able to offer, and to be really ready for the "Why do you want this job/ why are you applying ?" question as they've all asked this, usually near beginning of interview. I think it's often your best chance to be positive and put your own ideas across, also to include things you've seen during any visits or tours of the school.

That is a key question and one I normally ace. Difficult in this case as it will be a Skype interview and all my research is online. Currently looking into iGCSE and the school itself as best I can.

Tbh from what I have seen of the iGCSE it is a better preparation for uni for some subjects. I encountered a primary school running the international syallbus once. That was interesting. Ds would benefit from the more academic approach imo.

Good luck with the interview!

WOW! Glad that was over. It went really, really well. I was told that I was outstanding and exactly what they wanted and so on. No mention of other candidates or the usual "We have many other strong candidates and have a decision to make"... none of that just "you are perfect"

And now I have to wait until the 20th at the earliest!

Well, that sounds very encouraging ... good luck !

fingers crossed... not counting the hours... honest... much...

You'll be fine. 20th is only a few days away... Although will keep fingers crossed it is the result you want
You still applying? Or has your job vacancy window now closed?

Finally been productive and stuck a ton of applications in. I feel drained.

Too far away!!!

I had stopped applying (still some open, resignation cut off is 29th) but got an email from a school today asking why I hadn't applied since they'd sent me an application. I replied that I had several in, had a few interviews coming up, was awaiting the decision of this one and so on (no interview offers yet, I lied) and didn't want to waste their time as even if I was unsuccessful elsewhere I might not be released for interview for theirs. The deadline was Monday.

I got a reply that the recruitment agency had seen my application for other schools and asked that I got my application in anyway tonight and that they could change the date of the interview...

Excellent news for you, well done. It feels good to get them underway.

2 days to go and he may not even call me on Friday!!!