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.

[grannytomine]

I know someone who was in exactly your position six months ago. First class honours degree and wanted a job not a career as they were burnt out. I kept saying, "start temping." Eventually they did, got offered two jobs at places they had temped. I did the same years ago when I moved and had to start again. I had two young children and was my husband's carer but they wanted me and were flexible about hours.

An interview is OK but going in there and doing the job for a week or a month lets them get to know you and see what you can really do. Good luck.

[KirstyJC]

Is there any mileage in looking for jobs that are advertised as full time but calling to speak with them beforehand? I have known quite a few people get part time this way, (in NHS) but if you are looking at LA it may be similar. They would have recruitment guidelines etc and should always consider part time / job share for every role.

Lots of places would rather have the right person part time than the wrong one full time, or not at all.

I would definitely call and discuss - I did it myself for a FT job but when I spoke to the recruiter, she said they would definitely consider part time if that's what the best person would need.

Don't rule it out! Good luck.

[dontquotemeondailymail]

No real advice but now I've got that song in my head! I think I bought the single - Claire & Friends!


Good luck with your job hunt OP

[teaandtoast]

I wonder if they thought your 'I have a lot going on' meant you might not be too focused on the job?
Or that, say, you have responsibilities outside work that might mean a lot of time off work or something. Could you rephrase?

[LemonysSnicket]

I just got offered a job even though the recruiter told me I was far overqualified (true), so there is hope!

[nickEcave]

Have you looked at admin roles in Higher Education? I work part-time as an Admin Assistant in a London University. I was over-qualified on paper for the role when I took it on 4 years ago but I had been doing very part-time work for a number of years before when my children were very small and it didn't seem to stop me getting the job. Universities are often quite flexible around hours and have generous holiday entitlements. My problem now is that I want to move up to the next level and there seen to be NO part-time jobs available at all!

[Nyx1]

have you joined agencies? I find them very good and temping can be a way in to other jobs.

[nearly250parkuns]

Found this thread very interesting as I am not very happy in my job and am seriously considering applying for a fairly low level role at a local university but am wondering if age and qualifications will count against me for the reasons given here.

I have been successful before, a few years ago, so it is possible to get a role you're underqualified for.

I think some employers assume everyone is mad keen on career development and stretching themselves etc. Whereas I think there are quite a few people out there who are quite happy to come in, do the job well, go home, get paid. They don't want career development, they're comfortable in the role and they are happy. Not everyone can be chiefs anyway, you need the underlings doing the "grunt" work.

[nearly250parkuns]

I meant OVERqualified for.

[juxtaPostion]

I suspect it's less to do with your age and more to do with your lack of paid work in 13 years.

I began my current job at 59. It's a good one.

[MiniTheMinx]

I don't think it's necessarily age or qualifications. I think it's to do with the culture of work now. Whatever you do, don't tell a perspective employer "I didn't work for X years because I didn't need to" or "X years because I didn't want to" there a few part time jobs worth doing. Every employer thinks they are doing you a favour by employing you. They all think badly of the ungrateful. They all expect complete control of your life through long hours, remote working, shifts and o/t incentives or even an expectation you'll work o/t because you need it to top up poor pay. Some sectors factor in the need for staff to be flexible in offering low wage rates, it works to their advantage. Part time roles are usually low skill. If you have skills they will Intuit that unless they monopolise your time you could very well spend it looking for better paid employment. Over qualified is bullshit, they want your skills but fear you'll take them elsewhere unless you work full time, they can't monopolise your time to prevent that. Lastly, you won't get the role of you are more qualified than the person interviewing or within the first 30 seconds they decide they don't like you.

[juxtaPostion]

@MiniTheMinx

You sound a little bitter.

Ever worked for a good company which values a growth mindset?

[redexpat]

Oh that's annoying. Excellent thread title though.

[MiniTheMinx]

No, it's political not personal. I worked for LA for years. I've also run a company. I have returned to work after not having worked for anyone for 15 years. I've seen a huge shift in employment practice, wages, terms etc,. None of it in the interests of workers.

[Doradolittle]

I'm going through this too. I lucked out with a maternity cover job for a year but now I feel like I'm back to square 1. And with added problem that people don't understand why I don't just get a similar job to the one I was doing over this last year - but the problem is that particular role is as rare as a hen's tooth in my area, so I HAVE to look outside my sector. And I'm not even sure I want to carry on in my sector as its pretty much dying out.
But I don't even get to the interview stage for jobs I could do with my eyes closed.
I've tailored my CV to suit all levels of work to no avail.
IS recruitment the way forward? I had a terrible time with recruitment agencies in the noughties, so am not feeling very optimistic about them...

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

I appreciate the responses - very interesting perspectives. I agree that my 13 years out of paid employment is a massive issue for some employers, but as I am upfront about it I am hoping in jobs where I am called to interview then it is not insurmountable. But yes it is probably part of the issue, along with appearing over qualified etc.

I have been doing volunteer roles with some success for a few years, so I have done/ am doing what I can to overcome the employment gap issue. But I am not sure what I can do about being who I am and applying for part-time / flexible/ lower status roles. I have spent the morning preparing for my interview tomorrow and I will ensure I am reassuring about my intention to stay in this particular role and be committed to it, while appreciating the flexibility offered by its part-time hours. Which is absolutely true.

[juxtaPostion]

Is LA = Local Authority = Council?

Aren't civil servants apolitical?

If you're looking at a shift in 15 years, I guess you're blaming Labour? Have I misunderstood what you meant by "political"? I knows it's a little OT but I'm fairly interested. I've never really taken time out so changes are less noticeable than leaving and coming back.

I also value the company over job title and salary so have been lucky to work for really great employers. I also work in fairly unique roles.

[MissWilmottsGhost]

Apply for ft jobs at an appropriate skill level and state you can only work part time. Some employers would rather have an experienced person part time than an inexperienced person full time. I am highly qualified and experienced but can only work part time due to health issues, and I have got a few jobs including my current one by applying for full time posts. I am 45 and still being offered decent jobs despite my limitations.

Like liiinoo says, if you are applying for lower skilled jobs then play down your cv. I would miss out my phd and research experience and just say I worked in a lab and focus more on the admin side and basic skills.

But the trouble with applying for lower skilled jobs is that they generally have hundreds of applicants and your cv can easily end up in the bin. IME it is better to apply for more skilled roles where there are likely to be few applicants, then an employer is more likely to consider whether they can accommodate your needs rather than readvertise.

[Nyx1]

I can see Mini's point - I have my current job because me and the panel just took to each other

okay I didn't see the other applications but still, you know when that just happens? a lot of is luck.

OP the reason I mentioned agencies is because I've heard a few temp agencies and employers say they were keen to give opportunities to anyone who might need a "way in" to the workplace.

[Floellabumbags]

I've recently applied for an apprenticeship - I'm 44!

[MissWilmottsGhost]

I think what Mini means by political is that the change in government affects funding in the public sector. Certainly in my sector there has been huge budget cuts in the last 10 years with staffing being cut to the minimum and training budgets thrown out the window. This means that qualified and experienced staff are in desperately short supply as no one has been trained to replace those retiring. That's austerity for you.

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

I agree that the work culture in Local and Central Government has changed - death by a thousand cuts and constant restructuring. But there is still more protection - minimal as it is, for employees in the public sector than the private sector.

The local govt sector has always been affected by politics as you are always working to implement/ prioritise according to, the policies set by local and national government. Long term planning is very difficult as politicians do not think long term as a rule and set 2-5 year plans which can change to fit political whims.

I have found that the roles I am looking at are low pay and part-time but have a surprisingly long list of skills requirements that seem at odds with the dismal pay.

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

Pay has definitely stagnated in the public sector in my time away - even if other things have changed.

[Nyx1]

OP "I have found that the roles I am looking at are low pay and part-time but have a surprisingly long list of skills requirements that seem at odds with the dismal pay."

that's everywhere. More and more expected from the employee for less and less money.

[VivaLeBeaver]

I'm early 40s and have just landed the job of my dreams, sadly it's going to involve 3-4 hours of commuting a day. Sucks.