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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think that I deserve better (job wise)

49 replies

Needadoughnut · 06/12/2018 16:16

Overachiever my whole life... Sister is am academic in European law in Switzerland, cousins are doctors, senior corporate person and a CFO. I used to have a fairly senior role in an international tech company, have an MSc from a red brick university... Moved with exH to middle of nowhere (was able to move my job with me) but last February was made redundant... Since then I've been doing minimum wage jobs, caravan park receptionist, KP and lately a pollster. Times aren't easy and I find it almost impossible to not get depressed about it. Is this normal? Or am AIBU?? My previous job was fairly niche and no matter how many CVs I send I've only had a handful of interviews... Last feedback was that I was over confident and my English was not plain enough :/

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Original poster

Needadoughnut · 06/12/2018 16:51

Loppy I've thought about the dumbing down root which I think is my next option. I understand that reading "responsible for 7 dirwyct and 100 indirect reports" doesnt sound appealing when applying for an office manager type of role.

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Original poster

Needadoughnut · 06/12/2018 16:53

Stormtreader that's exactly what happened with the civil service job! They said I was too "corporate" and my language was not tailored to the right audience.

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thewinkingprawn · 06/12/2018 16:55

I think posters are being mean - after years of study and jobs at a certain level of course you feel you deserve a better job than you have. Equally of course it does matter to a lot of people what other family members do and say. You are only human so ignore those posters. Not much advice but good luck!!

Loopytiles · 06/12/2018 16:55

Civil service has weird application technique, there are threads about it.

Depending on the job I would just say something like “managed a large team”.

sallyshowdog · 06/12/2018 16:55

Are you declaring the receptionist etc jobs? I wouldn't, personally. How tight is money? Can you afford to hold out for a while? Personally I think it's harder to get a more senior role again if you've taken what's effectively a demotion.

Original poster

Needadoughnut · 06/12/2018 16:58

Sally no I'm not. On my LinkedIn you can see my "consultancy" business (although I only have one pro bono client) and some volunteering job as GDPR person. The rest is just what I've done in the past.that ranges from magazine section editor, to my previous sr role.

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Original poster

Needadoughnut · 06/12/2018 16:59

I could live for maybe another 18 months tops .. depends how much I need to top up my savings with my current income.

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lljkk · 06/12/2018 17:41

I had a history maybe a little similar to OP, but I was willing to take whatever. I worked for min. wage after previous job that was £35k/yr.

So I don't relate. That's only important b/c I'm not sure it helps OP to feel like she 'should' have better. You are where you are. Harkening back to your senior roles doesn't seem to help you if that history doesn't open doors for you now.

Being agile means seeing the opportunities that are there, and maximising whichever ones you get, not pining for opportunities that don't exist.

Original poster

Needadoughnut · 06/12/2018 17:45

lljkk I do take whatever I can get... I actually liked being a KP I was on track to be trained as a chef, something I was very proud of... Sadly it all came to an end because I got a 3rd degree burn, the duty chef I was talking rubbish and in the end the shift pattern meant at some point I didn't get to see my DD for more than 6 weeks..In that way it wasn't worth it at all.

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Original poster

Needadoughnut · 06/12/2018 17:48

In fact all I dream of is of an office based,£15k job 9-5/ Mon-Fri. I don't think that's actually too much to ask.

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cementpointing · 06/12/2018 17:56

if you are looking at a £15k job, leave off that you managed 107 people as they will be very suspicious about why you're applying: misconduct in previous role, barred from profession etc

Doddlemoose · 06/12/2018 17:57

Bump bump.

I love it when MN goes wild on careers advice it’s a beautiful thing to see.

No words myself. I’d add things like MSE for moneysaving etc? OU degree to upskill?

Retail is often GAGGING for good managers although I’m not sure how the hours would be.

AccidentallyRunToWindsor · 06/12/2018 17:59

Are you tailoring your CV to every role you apply for? So you mentioned about the DR of 7 etc, in an application for an office manager I would be leaving the IR of 100 off.

I would avoid agencies if possible, most of the time, the jobs they talk to you about don't exist. Get yourself networking on LinkedIn, connect with recruiters at companies you want to work at. Get your CV on indeed, CV library etc (S1 jobs if your in Scotland as well)

What research are you doing into the companies before you go to interview? Corporate tone can often be sussed out from the websites. A decent recruiter will also be prepping you ahead of your interview as to the hiring managers requirements.

(I'm an in house recruiter for a FTSE35 btw!)

purplelolly · 06/12/2018 18:00

YANBU

I felt like this a couple of years ago. Degree from Oxford and working as a HCA. It made me suicidal tbh

Original poster

Needadoughnut · 06/12/2018 18:01

cement never thought about that, but good point!

Doddle after a postgrad the last thing I want is to study more.... Unless it's a fully funded PhD

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cementpointing · 06/12/2018 18:11

i am applying for jobs and had a highly desired job as a fully qualified/practising professional in previous life and leave that off as im looking at 25k jobs for less stress, shorter hours and better work/life balance.

Original poster

Needadoughnut · 06/12/2018 18:13

cemento I would leave them out, but then I think I would only be able to put my job as an intern and temp.. that was 10 years ago. I worked for my previous employer for many, many years

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cementpointing · 06/12/2018 18:14

i would avoid agencies too. apply directly to employers and search companies in your area, there may be more than you think to apply for - haven't you got any industrial estates in the countryside near you?

cementpointing · 06/12/2018 18:16

can you re-phrase what you did, dumb it down like another PP said, i used to work in a particular field but wouldn't disclose the budget range/ number of people of i was responsible for etc.

AccidentallyRunToWindsor · 06/12/2018 18:17

@Needadoughnut you include the role but don't include all the detail on how many you managed. If your CV is making you look over qualified (which BTW I don't agree that it's a recruiters place to decide that without speaking to the candidate first but there we are!) that way when you get to interview, you can discuss your responsibilities and how you're not looking for that type of work now.

AccidentallyRunToWindsor · 06/12/2018 18:18

Have you had any independent advice on your CV OP?

RoboticMary · 06/12/2018 18:24

Well, the way you’ve phrased your OP makes you sound arrogant, but I don’t think you are - do you feel as though you’re wasted, as though you have potential to do more? Circumstances can seem to conspire against us sometimes. I’m very well educated but in a low- wage job for pocket money. Sorry OP, no advice as I’m in a similar boat

RayRayBidet · 06/12/2018 18:32

Why don't you sign up for an office temp agency? If you are good it can lead to a job. No one cares if you are over qualified and they get to know you. If they then want to offer you a job because they feel you fit in and you already know the role they will not be put off by your qualifications.
Agree with others about tailoring your cv to the job you are applying for.

Original poster

Needadoughnut · 06/12/2018 19:12

Mary that's more or less how I feel, but right now the one thing I want is to not have to be at the weather's mercy to make a living.

I've registered with some agencies,again no luck (they wanted to do a job 20mi away with terrible pay I wouldn't be able to keep much after fuel).

Someone is supposed to look at my CV next week. One person did look at it and thought it was ok, but I'm starting to think she didn't give the best advice.

And most businesses are either agricultural or tourism/seasonal. I have no retail/ sales experience which makes it harder.

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