To think I'll never get part time work

[Tingatingatale]

I lost my job last year after working for 16 years towards my career. I had been in the firm for a few years so returned after my children part time on a flexible working agreement. This was a management position.

I haven't worked since and have been a SAHM. Things are getting tight though and it's too much pressure for DH.

I want to find something part time to fit around my children until they are both in school.

I have applied to supermarkets and been turned down. I have applied for admin and not getting anywhere. I have been offered school hours over five days but would still have to pay full time childcare. Also a job starting 7am but I can't get childcare. Same with temping. I can't get childcare at an hours notice.

My dh works very long hours and not set hours. If I return full time it would me working long hours with overnight stays etc and it can't be done at the moment.

I don't know what else to apply for. Any ideas please?

Thank you

Can you work for yourself - consultancy, freelance, etc?

Can you do consultancy work ?

Or contracting/Agency ?

You aren't going to get very far with supermarkets etc - you are far to well qualified and they know you won't stay so it's not worth training you.

Also in general the vast majority of admin managers won't take on someone for basic admin who is better experienced than they are.

Do you know anyone else from your place who did a similar role and is looking for part time ? If so send in a dual application for a job share.
So find a suitable vacancy and apply together saying you would love to do it on a job share basis.

It sounds like the childcare is more of a problem than finding work - why would you have to pay for a whole day - couldn't you use a childminder? Sorry if you've already tried that. Also, have you looked at the vacancies on here and on Women Like Us? (I think that's the name).

I didn't think of those reasons. I just thought I was crap!

Thanks for your replies. I might put a letter together for smaller local firms and offer work on a contract basis.

I work in quite a male dominated industry and can't think of any colleagues. That's a brilliant idea though

I will look at the links posted

Thank you

Sorry I forgot to sAy. I wouldn't want to work every day because of the holidays especially. If I worked a few days I may be able to get some days covered by family but not every day.

I read ages ago about an agency that was set up to help highly skilled women return to the workplace on a part time basis. The clients were mostly small companies who couldnt afford expertise full time, or long term, but I can't remember what it's called! Or where I read it - but probably the guardian. Does anyone else know?

That sounds good. There just doesn't seem to be anything at the moment everything I apply for is a dead end or won't fit around childcare.

I think you are looking at the wrong end of the market. Jobs as low skilled as those are overwhelmed with applicants.

how about applying as a teaching assistant, or other work in a school?

Can you do part time nightshift? That's what I do and fits in great with kids Im in a fraud dept that's open 24/7 for a bank, you could look at nightshift supermarket, call centres (banks in your area) , hospital staff and reception etc?

Why not apply for management positions and cite your previous experience. I recently applied for a full-time post and negotiated to work it 70%. I didn't state I wanted part-time until the interview stage. OK this was about my ninth interview, but it is possible.

Redexpat - was the agency you're thinking of CapabilityJane?

Apply for full time roles in your previous line of work and ask if they will consider part time (up to you which stage of the application process you drop this in at!). Even better if you are applying somewhere that you already have contacts, if someone can vouch for you then a company may decide it's better to hire a part time worker that they know will be good than an unknown full time who may turn out to be a dud. Obviously there will be companies who woudln't entertain it but you never know until you ask.

If your previous job really isn't doable part time then try to think how you could morph it into something that is. For example, I used to be a lab-based scientist but wanted to go back to work very part time after maternity leave. So I kind of made up an office-based role that didn't exist at the time based on my skills and experience which I thought would be useful and suggested it to my manager. Four years on I am still doing a greatly expanded version of my made up job!

I used to work with a woman who was working 9-2 term times only (in an industry where this is very uncommon). We all got made redundant and I felt so sorry for her as it was clear she'd never negotiate those kind of hours in a new company. A month later she had a new job in a different company working 9-2 term time only! She asked and they gave it to her - I took her as my inspiration!

Timewise Jobs specialise in part-time and flexible working roles too. timewisejobs.co.uk

Be very careful with Timewise, I was offered a job through them and then it turned out to be a "self employed" position requiring me to take out my own insurance and agree to 60 day payment terms...

Oh really? Not so good then Chipped.

Ten2two is another one.

OP, holiday clubs can be reasonable cost if you go for council run ones. But your DH has the right to request flexible working and he may need to do this so that, say, you can start at 7am two days a week.

I agree with the people who have said that you're under-applying.

Where I work, if we advertise 'Customer SErvices Assistant', we get 200 applicants. If we advertise 'Office administrator' we get 50. But when we advertised 'Event Co-ordinator', which was part-time office admin by a different name, we had 5 applicants, and hired the SAHM returning to work.

You aren't going to get very far with supermarkets etc - you are far to well qualified and they know you won't stay so it's not worth training you

I disagree. There are many overqualified mums working in the checkouts in the supermarket I worked for (I am one,management experience etc).
Its a tick box exercise. You have to be honest or they pick it up. Our management team couldnt give two hoots for previous experience, as long as you can do the job where you are.
Dont be expecting promotion though unless you are available at any time 24hrs a day.