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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

That no one wants me

18 replies

Itsmeme · 05/11/2019 00:03

I've been out of work for over 10 years. In that time I've moved to be closer to my husband and raised four kids.

Now that the kids are nearly in full time school I thought it would be the perfect time to look for work. But no one wants to hire me when I've done nothing for the last 10 years. Even then it would have to be part time and term time.

Help me look in the right place for this kind of work... I sent my CV with a covering letter to 10+ schools near me to no response.

Is there something I could do a course in?

OP posts:
KellyHall · 05/11/2019 00:08

What did you do before having children?

Did you do anything whilst parenting: volunteering at the school/play groups?

Could you start some voluntary work doing whatever it is you're applying for? If you do it while the children are at school, you won't need to factor in childcare costs. Lots of charities need volunteers in all sorts of positions so they don't have to use all of the funds to pay everyone.

Finfintytint · 05/11/2019 00:12

Maybe look at evenings and weekends if it fits in with your partner’s work pattern to start with. Anything to get you experience. Don’t be fixated on school hours initially.

Justapatchofgrass · 05/11/2019 00:19

No school will recruit with a CV, it is not in line with KCSIE.

What post are you looking for?

0thers1de0fthew0rld · 05/11/2019 02:07

I know someone who came out of the army
with a good CV
It took 100+ applications before they got a job

Don't give up so quickly

Register for some agencies

Everyone is looking for the same perfect job, school hours, so you could work evenings or nights ?

Widen your search times, area, type of job

0thers1de0fthew0rld · 05/11/2019 05:13

I'm going to add that you need to offer an employer something that they want

It's not all about qualifications, it's the 'soft skills' too like; good time keeping, good communication, team work, flexible

Perhaps you have had first aid training, volunteering, charity fund raising opportunities

There is lots of competition for the 'nicest jobs'

Do you have any family or friends that can recommend you for a job ?

Landlubber2019 · 05/11/2019 05:46

Part time and term time jobs are like hens teeth: you will struggle to find one ! Teaching assistant / school admin are normally your best bet, but nearly always require some experience or qualification. Can you provide some volunteering to your school?

Failing that its coming up to Christmas and often stores recruit part timers for a short period, these can lead to a permanent position so go ask in your local supermarkets / argos stores and similar to find out if they have any positions.

If you have admin skills nhs recruit bank workers, but it won't necessarily be exactly what you want but may lead to something.

The jobs market is much tougher than your pre children days but it is not impossible to find a job. Good luck x

Rainbowshine · 05/11/2019 07:46

You need to apply for actual vacancies rather than send your cv to schools on spec. Also schools have less admin roles as their funding is through the floor. Widen your pool of where you would work. Register on Indeed. 10 cvs is nothing like a full job search. Are you on LinkedIn as that’s also important.

ChileConCarne · 05/11/2019 07:50

After raising 4 kids it might be your idea of hell - but childminding?

Wilmalovescake · 05/11/2019 07:50

Volunteer at the school. Then if something paid comes up you’re in a much stronger position.

PotteringAlong · 05/11/2019 07:50

You’re not going to walk into a part time term time job. So you will need to work evenings / weekends / full time.

You need to do your research. No school was going to receive an unsolicited CV and offer you a job.

PurpleDaisies · 05/11/2019 07:52

Help me look in the right place for this kind of work... I sent my CV with a covering letter to 10+ schools near me to no response.

Schools don’t recruit like that. Are you applying for actual vacancies? What role are you looking for?

Ruddywax · 05/11/2019 07:55

There are always care work from agencies.
You will struggle with a term time part time job. You need to compromise a lot more.

Roselilly36 · 05/11/2019 07:58

It is so hard I know OP, don’t give up just keep applying. My DS left college in the summer, he has all his qualifications, it took him 3mths before he got a job. You will get there too, but it just takes a bit of time and persistence. The other route you could look at is an apprenticeship, I didn’t realise till my younger son started on his apprenticeship that it is open to any age group now. Hoping you have some good news soon.

WhoKnewBeefStew · 05/11/2019 08:00

My friend started volunteering at her kids school, she started off just by reading with some of the children , she was eventually offered a position in the nursery, took all three exams etc and is now in full time employment as a TA.

Rainbowshine · 05/11/2019 08:01

@Itsmeme there are also websites specifically advertising part time jobs like workingmums.

Isleepinahedgefund · 05/11/2019 08:50

How about doing some volunteering? My school recently set up a scheme where, in return for a set commitment, we will offer an employment reference. We did this specifically with SAHMs in mind who are are looking to get back into the workforce but lack recent experience.

Recently I did interviews for a school admin job and one of the (young, school leaver) candidates was volunteering in a school office. She had been volunteering as literacy support, and when one of the office staff went long term sick they offered for her to volunteer in the office in exchange for an employment reference. We were very impressed with her initiative and she was a close second to the person we picked, who just happened to have the right energy for the school.

I think what you need to understand is that many people are willing to do whatever it takes to get a job, filling up thejr CV with recent experience whatever form that comes in, and they will always win against someone who just sends out their ancient CV, purely because they have demonstrated their commitment.

Itsmeme · 05/11/2019 10:40

Thanks for all the replies and comments. My youngest has just turned 3 so will get her free 15 hours in January. I've registered with agencies, I've applied through the council websites for any school jobs.

My issue is that I don't have any family support what so ever. It all comes down to me and my husband so school holidays would be an issue. I can't see any employer letting me take time off for school holidays in a new role straightaway. My husband can't take off that many holidays either. We can't afford holiday clubs as I'd be subsiding nursery fees if I was to work.

I understand any sahm wants term time work but what can you do.

I'd love to volunteer but need to money to be honest.

OP posts:
venusandmars · 05/11/2019 11:52

You need to develop contacts and a good reputation (imo, a course won't do this for you, not for the kind of niche hours you're looking for)

Take a job, any job. Care work, seasonal work in a supermarket, kitchen porter in a restaurant, few hours in a coffee shop - whatever you can find locally. Then be flexible when they need someone to do extra hours (have a standby baby-sitter on call), or someone to do an admin job, or someone to step up into someone else's shoes when they're off sick for a couple of days. Show that you are reliable. Show what you can do.

Volunteer. If you've been a SAHP (with one household salary) for 10 years then surely you can continue on that basis for a while. Same as above - develop a good reputation, take on extra tasks, offer to do a couple of hours paid work if there is a crisis.

Make sure your dh/dp is on board with what you're doing and is 100% supportive. No point in you getting an afternoon/evening Sunday shift if he's not willing to look after your dc. And not as a one-off, to do that every week if needs be.

It you're good, and lucky, then after about a year you will have some recent experience to add to your cv, you'll have a couple of references, you might have learned some different skills. You might find the kind of 'gap' in the current job market where you could fit in. Importantly you will have people who know you.

tbh you are looking for the holy grail of jobs, and without recent experience, up-to-date references or flexibility, you are facing a really tough challenge.

Your youngest is about to get some care hours. Use the next 2 years (and yes, I think it might take you that long) to build your skills, your contacts, your network so that when youngest dc goes to school you are in a much better position to apply for (and get) the kind of role you are seeking now. You need to think and plan long term on this.

A couple of examples to show what you're up against:

My SIL had a high flying, high paid job - nannies, international travel etc. A sudden onset disability for one of her dc meant she could no longer work in the same role. It took her 10 months to find a job that she could do part-time and school hours.

dd's friend (who had professional accountancy qualifications and experience) had 2 dc very close in age and had been a SAHP. When dc2 was about 18 months she took a job in care support (minimum wage) - hours to suit when her dp was at home. This gave her a reference to move to a care/admin role in a charity. She took on a responsibility for 'centre management' on alternate Sundays - which mostly involved cleaning toilets and floors, but also included some significant admin and security responsibilities. Those roles enabled her to apply for a mainstream admin and facilities post. Then she took on some of the book-keeping work. Her dc are both now at school and she has an accounts role that works flexibly round school hours.

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