It's 'orrible looking for a job when you're 43 and a half!

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

Just got a rejection call. Interview went well, very nice people. The job was part-time admin in a council. I have lots of qualifications, experience at officer level in London boroughs but I have not been in paid work for 13 years! I think I came across well, but the feedback was I was 'too good' I was told I should be applying for more senior roles, policy roles or support worker type jobs but I need part-time and flexible and local, so there ain't much out there.

It is bitter sweet getting nice feedback but no job, the interviewer did say they would pass my details to department heads in the council, so that is positive but I really really want to get paid for doing work. I have been doing volunteer work for a few years and that is great, but WILL SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME MONEY FOR DOING WORK PLEASE... Sorry for shouting just needed to vent.

I have another interview to prepare for tomorrow, also local council also a bit low status, but that is the nature of part-time work. I can handle that, but I have to overcome the slightly deflated feeling I have from the previous interview, that I can do my best, come over well, then be told sorry you are over-qualified old! Just a bit depressing/ frustrating.

[Singlenotsingle]

Well done. Wishing you many more years of happy paid employment!

[Bl00Curtainz]

Congratulations

[Mammysin]

Well done! 😊

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

I thought I would resurrect this thread as I have found a job. In April I interviewed for a role in CAB. And I am working (part-time) since May. This week I am on my first paid leave from work for 14 years! I really really enjoy getting paid for a role I was doing for free only a few months ago. I have more responsibility and stress, but I am adjusting and so are the family. The kids have been amazing.

Anyway I took 6 months to find a job which considering the massive gap in my CV was not too bad. I also did find the role and hours and location I was looking for which is brilliant. I recommend volunteering and retraining, if you are looking to return to work after a career break. I think i struggled more with successfully applying for local gov roles because of my prior more senior experience and employment gap, whereas for CAB I had recent relevant experience, training and clear commitment as I volunteered with them for 4 years.

Anyway - good luck to other 'mature' returners - it is entirely possible to find interesting work - I hesitate to say well paid cos its the charity sector innit. Cheers

[Nyx1]

Mini, I think what you do is amazing and I'm so sorry to hear that you are treated that way.

[PramWanker]

Would you think of part time call centre alongside your part time CAB volunteering for a bit? I know what you want to do, but it would solve the problem of needing to be in current volunteering whilst allowing you to keep up your (presumably admin?) stuff at CAB. The call centres near me are always looking for people. Reason being they have high turnover as they're awful, but then you only need to be there a couple of months, no?

[MiniTheMinx]

Nyx1 Residential Social Work, in my case in a therapeutic setting.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Thank you so much berliozwooler that's really kind. I'm expecting to hear next week, but haven't been able to sleep the last two nights because I've been so excited about it 😂! It's a bit like when you see a house you want to buy/rent and you've already mentally moved in and bought the curtains way before it's yours. I really hope I get it, there's not much else for me to apply for at the moment either.

[berliozwooler]

Good luck Through and well done on the short listing.

[berliozwooler]

Good luck Through and well done on the short listing.

[Nyx1]

Mini, what's RSW please?

I dumbed down my CV and told people bluntly that I was looking for a job I could do and enjoy (ha ha) rather than one that was a constant battle of stress. I emphasised that it was good for an office to have someone around who was able to be on hand to help all the time etc

re dumbing down of the CV, some of my friends did say "is that cheating" but no, I just found a more vague assessment of what I had done in the past was still true, just vague! Also, do they need to know I had responsibility for huge budgets? No, they don't. So I just didn't put it on. I didn't lie about anything.

[MiniTheMinx]

It's the irrational logic of capitalism to throw people into the pit of unemployment whilst workers are worked to 67 years in jobs that increasingly take over every waking hour of their lives. No part time work you say? But there is self employment, zero hours, non contracted, short term contracts, temping, and increasingly work without pay in the form of intern opportunities.

We have a decreasing need for labour. Mechanisation and the intellectual and informational economy require less labour. Where labour is still required decreasing returns is pushing employers to super exploit workers for value.

I'm working ridiculous hours, with a charity that expects total loyalty, total availability, and operates something like a cult. You are in or you are out. Ok, so it's RSW with looked after children but employees are left with little time to look after there own families. All the while I'm commuting to work a 15 he day, I'm tripping over dozens of rough sleepers. In our quest not to join them on the pavement, most workers are being super exploited on stagnating wages, huge levels of debt, in full time work that increasingly is contingent on unpaid extra hours, and a level of commitment that sees people unable to enjoy any free time. I mean even energy saving devices, I phones and technology are only there to ensure your availability for work, not your free time.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I had my nhs interview today. Apparently I was short listed from the first batch of applicants. I'm thrilled with that bit of info. 🤞🏼I get the job, I really want it.

Hope you get some good news OP.

[berliozwooler]

I remember a few years ago in the recession hearing about people only able to get part time work when they wanted full time. I wondered where all these part time jobs were as whenever I looked, full time jobs outnumbered part time job adverts by at least five to one.

[HillaryWinshaw]

I would second/third the advice to address the “elephant in the room” and make it very clear that you do NOT want a higher-level job. I have a professional degree and used to work in a job that required it. I hated the increased responsibility and pressure and affirmatively chose to take a step down. Think, a solicitor applying for a paralegal position, or such like. I was lucky to get an interview with my professional degree on my CV, quite honestly, but when I did, I addressed it head-on. Before I was even asked about it. I said “I’m sure you have concerns that I’m taking this job as a stop-gap until an attorney (etc) job comes up, but that isn’t the case. I’m also not trying to get hired as an attorney through the back door, as it were.” I then talked about why this particular “lower” job was exactly what I wanted. I got the job!

Good luck, OP, it’s tough but stick with it!

[DesignedForLife]

I think the problem is there just aren't enough part time jobs. I'm desperately trying to find something part time, early 30's, only out of work a year (made redundant whilst pregnant) and there is so little out there. Just had another rejection after interview yesterday.

Can you start a business?

[oldlaundbooth]

Good luck with it op, you'll find something soon for sure!

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

Well I have done my interview, it included reading a childrens book to the interviewers and presenting a craft idea. I hope it went ok but who knows!? I am pausing the job hunt till the new year, as the market is pretty dead now. I shall hear by the end of next week about the job today. I wish luck to all job hunters regardless of age and qualifications.

[Gertrudethestag]

Also, with the job I mentioned above - I successfully did 3 interviews and a practical test for the job. 6 hours wasted in total

[Gertrudethestag]

I am having the same problem. I didn't even get the job that was specifically created for me as someone who could do more hours came along yep, you read that right! (I applied for a full time role that was perfect but mentioned I would rather do part time hours. They loved my CV and said they'd be happy with part time hours so they'd create another role just for me. Then apparently another applicant came along who could do 5 extra hours per week. She took the job that was specifically created for me!!)

I can't get an admin job at the Council or the hospital because I don't have any recent experience (have a 4 year gap!)

I've now realised I'll have to work full time and I have given up with seeking part time roles.

Good luck, OP!

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

Cheers yellow, that helps.

I can't pretend I have been in paid employment when I haven't, so if all potential employers won't want me for that reason, then I may as well give up now?

I have been volunteering and training with CAB for last 3 years so hopefully that counts for something, else I am really fucked.

[YellowMakesMeSmile]

I doubt it's age but the lack of recent experience and work ethic in thirteen years. That's a huge gap for employers to get past.

[Jasminedes]

I think you have to be so ruthlessly clear on what to talk about and what not to ie. talk about your skills and attributes and experience, wherever from, but don't talk about the gap or lack of paid recent experience. Don't say you will value the flexibility - say you will be flexible to their needs. Don't say you could be applying for something better, say you are keen to develop your admin skills, want to work within their organisation and hope to get better within that role (it might be OK to say that in the future you would hope to progress, if there was the opportunity). They are looking for fit to the role, and so your 'extra' qualifications are irrelevant. You need to fake a great fit between you and the role that works in their favour and makes you look willing and committed. Good luck with it though, once you get a foot in you will be fine.

[JustDanceAddict]

I got my current p/t ‘mum’ Job at age 44. Took me about 7 months to find a job, but that was more from lack of anything suitable to apply for. I’m hoping that it will lead into a better paid role when I decide to move on so hang in there!!!