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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is there any point in applying for a job as Parliamentary Assistant at 48?

41 replies

Perfectjob · 08/02/2017 18:23

The person specification is:

"PERSON SPECIFICATION
*We are looking for a candidate with excellent interpersonal, communications, and organisational skills, as well as an interest in the policies and the future of the Liberal Democrats. This post would suit a young individual who is looking for political
experience in Westminster.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
The successful applicant will have:
• Excellent organisational skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Good time management and the ability to prioritise effectively and to work to
tight deadlines
• Strong IT skills
• Discretion

DESIRABLE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
• A commitment to the aims and values of the Liberal Democrats"

I would love to do this and I think I do have organisational skills, enthusiasm, and an interest in Politics (and the Lib Dems in particular). I am just not a young person!

Is there any point in applying for this job do you think?

OP posts:
Original poster
Perfectjob · 08/02/2017 18:24

And now I have advertised the job to loads more people who might apply Grin.

OP posts:
SomedayMyPrinceWillCome · 08/02/2017 18:26

Discrimination on the basis of age is illegal (I think), not to say it doesn't happen of course.
Go for it!!!

ElizabethLemon · 08/02/2017 18:27

Yes of course you should apply. They can't discriminate against age, I work for the council that's advertising the job and they are very very aware of that sort of thing having been stung in the past!

GooseFriend · 08/02/2017 18:28

Yes definitely! I work in a related role and to have an actual adult with experience apply is always really nice!

beatricequimby · 08/02/2017 18:30

Well they can't actually specify a young person.

I have done this job (for another party). Lots of young people wanting a career in politics, lobbying, the media. Often badly paid. There is no career structure so it is a stepping stone type of job.

No harm in applyin, as long as you don't mind working with lots of youngsters.

GlobalTechIndustries · 08/02/2017 18:32

With age comes experience and wisdom, id say go for it.

Original poster
Perfectjob · 08/02/2017 18:38

Thanks for the encouragement! So my next questions are, even though they can't discriminate, are they likely to prefer a younger person?

Also, should I allude to the fact that I am not their usual "demographic" for this position in my covering letter?

No harm in applying, as long as you don't mind working with lots of youngsters.

This scares me a bit. Am I likely to be the "strange" outcast? Is it a cliquey / competitive environment? I am doing admin in a school at the moment, where people couldn't be more supportive and egalitarian.

OP posts:
KellyBoo800 · 08/02/2017 18:43

I work with Parliament. You've got as good a chance as any, I really can't imagine your age would factor in!

beatricequimby · 08/02/2017 19:25

When I was there a lot of people went out drinking after work, in the Parliament bars, mainly the Sports & Social, think it was all subsidised back then. I am in my forties and can't imagine wanting to be part of that now.

RhodaBull · 08/02/2017 19:29

My aunt applied for a "school leaver" position when she was 50. In her covering letter, she stated that she was indeed a school leaver, albeit one who had left 35 years previously... She got the job.

I applied for an OP-type position. I had an interview, but never heard back Sad . I was asked what my childcare arrangements were which was odd as I made no mention of any dcs Angry .

VeryBitchyRestingFace · 08/02/2017 19:33

This post would suit a young individual

Didn't think they were allowed to do this anymore.

WineAndTiramasu · 08/02/2017 19:36

"young individual who is looking for political
experience in Westminster."

Is it just me that reads that as "unpaid" experience? Maybe I'm just cynical...

foxyloxy78 · 08/02/2017 19:42

Well they are not allowed to advertise it like that. But hey, go for the job. Good luck.

TheProblemOfSusan · 08/02/2017 19:44

I am really surprised at that description. But go for it - people change careers all the time and if your experience fits, fab. It's probably quite a long hours job so might be worth thinking up ways that you can signpost that you understand and can cope with that?

ArriettyClock1 · 08/02/2017 19:45

I don't think they're allowed to advertise it like that either. You can't even ask for the DoB on application forms now.

myrtleWilson · 08/02/2017 19:46

Go for it! Am not sure where you found the advert but there are similar jobs (in politics/public affairs) on the work4mp website....

MakeLemonade · 08/02/2017 19:52

That's such a bad ad, you could always sue them!

I work in a related area and had lots of friends do this type of role, whilst you should definitely apply if it's something you want to do it is definitely culturally quite young - mostly first jobbers post-uni.

Hours can be fairly long too if that's something that's important to you.

Parliamentary offices (some, anyway) have office manager roles, might be worth thinking about too?

Notjustuser1458393875 · 08/02/2017 19:58

If you're not sold completely on the Lib Dem angle, maybe think about applying to work for Parliament instead? Much more variety in roles and ages, and likely to be better paid too

TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos · 08/02/2017 20:17

When I worked in Westminster, most Researchers, but not all, were young, but other Staff Members tended to be a bit older, so you wouldn't be out of place.

Between4and30characters · 08/02/2017 20:23

With age comes experience and wisdom, id say go for it

Sorry for a slight digression, but I didn't think we we're saying that, post-referendum (what with the oldies voting the wrong way n'all).

Original poster
Perfectjob · 08/02/2017 20:53

At 48 I am not an oldie Between!!

But yes, 100s of years older than university leavers who are in the bar every night (Confused help!).

Difficult to know what to expect until you have been in a situation... I will take a look at other jobs in Parliament, and yes I did find this advert on workformp.

Long hours would not be great as I have 3 dc, one of whom is still at primary school.... It's just that I would love to work in the Houses of Parliament. I soak up new information like a sponge and I think I would be permanently fascinated.

I live on the Jubilee Line, so to get on the train every morning and get out at Westminster to work in that historic place would make me very happy.

I have seen a job managing the office of an MP. The thing with that is that I don't have the kind of solid office / diary management experience required and am worried that it would show. I have done lots of admin (especially pre children but I have gone back to it now), but not so much high level PA type stuff...

OP posts:
Original poster
Perfectjob · 08/02/2017 20:54

Is the ad worded illegally?

OP posts:
ArriettyClock1 · 08/02/2017 21:08

I think it sounds more suited to an older person, tbh.

Original poster
Perfectjob · 08/02/2017 21:11

Which job arrietty - the parliamentary assistant one or the MP's PA? Sorry - am confusing myself now! Why do you think it's more suited to an older person?

OP posts:
ArriettyClock1 · 08/02/2017 21:53

The parliamentary assistant was what I meant, but only because I read the skills requirement for that one.