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.

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.

Good luck Through and well done on the short listing.

Good luck Through and well done on the short listing.

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.

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

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?

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

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

Well done! 😊

Congratulations

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