Recruitment, can't believe how hard it is!

[Sunnydawn]

I read and hear so much about people wanting flexible working, and how so many people are stuck in dead end jobs, or on zero hours contracts.

But, I am involved in recruitment for two jobs right now, one a professional job in a lovely environment, as a part time job share. The other, a part time, flexible, admin job, again in a lovely office, with training and a good career if you want it.

And no decent applicants! No applicants for the first. Loads who have applied for the latter, but ecan't even attempt the basics forvan interview or trial (ie. turning up in time, dressing half smart, answer a phone).

Frankly, I despair. What are people doing? Where are they working/wanting to work?

These are different places, by the way, so it's not the particular environment.

I look at many adverts though and think people want too much.

Organised, bright, engaged, forward thinking, great attention to detail, team leader, great CV, champion of the world. £15k pro rated.

Sod that.

market rate is often misleading, really good people earn more.

Cross post! ... That actually sounds reasonable!

"more than one person respond to the vacancy after the closing date has passed"

to the PP who wrote that - dont advertise on here. I applied for a return to work programme on here last year. It was highlighted in bold everywhere. I applied a week before closing date. Well, lets be accurate I applied 1 week before the date posted by Mumsnet. Which was sadly a few days after the employer had closed their programme. Both Mumsnet and the employer were total teflon about THEIR error, not mine. I was shocked that a suitably well qualified candidate could be told to apply next year when the error was their's. Found another employer to work for.

I found a brilliant part-time job in April on Mumsnet. Financial position in London paying a decent salary. Was a bit surprised I got the position to be fair as I thought there would be hundreds of applicants, there was just 20.
Good luck to all those looking for work.

My admin job basically reads:

Electronically file data, consolidate data in weekly report, proof read letters and opportunity to get involved in developing and delivering training, chivvy rest of team along on projects. Role can grow as you do.

We pay around 50k but would pay more for someone who had particular experience in any aspect of the role.

Are you advertising through an agency?

If so, I like many people, yrybti avoid using agencies. I've had my fingers burnt too often with fake job adverts or just total unprofessionalism of many agencies.

Also are you stating how many hours the job is? When I was looking for a part time job the advert would often just state that it was a part time position but not how many hours or even days. There is a huge difference between 8hrs a week and 30hrs a week and.

Sunnydawn how clearly does the job spec mention that you could accommodate someone returning to the workplace? I ask because I'd be interested in such a job but haven't seen any adverts ever that make me think I'd be considered for such a role, after taking a career break to raise kids.
Have you tried searching for your own vacancy on job websites and seeing what makes it stand out from other roles?
There seems to be such a mismatch between the number of people who'd like a job like the one you're advertising and the employers who can't find decent applicants....it doesn't make sense to me.

From the other side, I have applied for many jobs, spent hours on application forms for roles that won't accept cvs and drafted bespoke covering letters for jobs all of which I am eminently qualified for.

I have not been offered one interview in three years.

Barbara do you rule out the over qualified? Where are you?

It's really hard to find PT jobs. I'm looking for one and everything is FT.

My experience of working PT and others working with me PT is that we work hard in the hours we are there and stay in the role because we can't find anywhere to move to. So potential you end up with an experienced member of staff, but without opportunities to progress, so a bit of a bargain.

whisperingloudly does your vacancy have admin in the job title? I am gobsmacked at the 50k salary and it's made me wonder if I'm undervaluing my skills or does your job vacancy have a more obscure job title that I would have assumed I was not qualified for?

I would be interested. I live in Bedfordshire.

Whispering can I have that job please?! Sounds completely do-able, especially for that amount of money

I echo many other posters asking where these vacancies are? In my part of the world over a thousand people applied for 12 retail vacancies in a new company last year.

Whispering can you seriously get 50k for "Electronically file data, consolidate data in weekly report, proof read letters and opportunity to get involved in developing and delivering training, chivvy rest of team along on projects. Role can grow as you do".

If so, please PM me, I may have a suitable candidate....

The person spec for my part time admin asst job listed 34 - yes 34 - 'principal accountabilities' and 14 skills and abilities required including IT skills, financial experience, etc. The pay is barely above minimum wage. I do it because it fits with school hours and it's a worthwhile organisation.

Re. the answering the phone thing - nothing is more infuriating than a recruiter calling you in the middle of the working day when they know you're at work, I can't really chat about an interview for a new job in the middle of the office.

There was one occasion I was in a meeting obviously without my phone, once I got out I had two missed calls from a recruiter's landline and mobile, voicemails, an email, linkedin message and a text within the space of an hour just to tell me they had a new job I may be interested in.

There are waiting lists for jobs round here, just pt between 16 - 20 hours, they're like hens teeth and everyone wants one.
We are NW though, with pockets of deprivation, not sure if that makes any difference.

As a part time worker, it costs more to work 5 short days than 3 or 4 longer days.
Due to petrol, parking, train fares x 5 versus x 3.
Especially on part-time pay.
Also in terms of childcare, for me, it would be preferable for 3 days not 5.
That is better for school holiday care too.
I find that agencies and companies advertise part time but then say "must be flexible" and want all shifts. Or " how often can you work overtime?"
All for the princely sum of nmw, no perks, pension or career progression.
Don't forget, my child is 10 now. I won't always be on restricted hours.

Oh and I don't get benefits so can work up to 30 hours max.
In future, I can work full time as I did before child.

Thanks to every who posted that mums net had a job section I had no idea, just applied for a new role that's been advertised

I have spent hrs applying for posts - spoken to HR or team leaders to get a good idea of the details of the job and what skills they are looking for. I have then filled in endless application forms and rejigged c.v's.

Then nothing, not even an acknowledgement or feedback. I must have done 20 applications and not 1 interview.

I am a graduate with 8 years of work experience, sadly having 6 years out to raise my children seems to have killed my career( I was made redundant just as I found out I was pregnant). I haven't been applying in my sector (budget cuts means no jobs) but have been applying for entry level posts.

I now no longer apply through agencies as the jobs don't exist or I never hear anything.

It is so depressing, I need to get back to work and would make someone a great employee.

I've applied for loads of part time/flexi jobs in the past 6 months.

Can't get an interview.

I don't know, I have applied for several admin jobs in the SE (not London) and not got an interview yet; not even looking for PT hours, that would be a bonus.

No experience of an admin job though, although i have plenty of transferable skills from previous roles and voluntary work, maybe over-qualified?

Would love to do tech or developer if training provided, but employers not willing to take a random chance, understandably I suppose.

I guess what I'm saying is, it's just as dispiriting on the other side

Same experience as princessconsuelabananahammock basically.

Whispering that sounds incredibly high for the role you're describing