not to beleve in all these jobs

[Orangejuicemarathoner]

Supposedly there are thousands and thousands of vacancies, but if you actually look, most are agencies. You don't so much apply for a vacancy as get lured in to sign up for an agency. They might or might not then put your name forward for something, and it might not be suitable if they do.

And most of the jobs that are not actually just imaginary fronts to help an agency get your details on file, require ownership of a vehicle.

AIBU to believe that there are actually far far fewer vacancies than the news headline figures are suggesting.

I would guess 10-20% at most

@Minesril

Employers definitely need to be more flexible regarding hours. My husband and I work for a brilliant company, both full time around the school run. Some days I start early and finish early to pick up, with him starting/finishing late to do drop off; other days I do the late start/finish and drop off, and he starts/finishes early to pick up. The 9-5 grind should not exist anymore.

It's why the tech industry's so great for parents. Flexitime and do your hours when you want. One of us takes the kids, the other picks up.

None of this scrabbling around for scraps and all hoping a role comes up in the school office. I do various events and workshops trying to encourage women, especially returning mothers, to consider careers in tech but it's really hard. A lot just say "I've not got the brain for it" or "I don't like computers" or "It's a bit of a man's job really" and don't try, which saddens me.

Maybe motherhood in this country's just hard and beats people down a bit, I don't know. But those bootcamp spots and junior roles will keep going to eager young men if women don't take the courses and don't apply.

@DynamoKev are you a project manager? I promise we’re not like that if you’re looking to move…

@LyndaLaHughes are you quite numerate/logical? There are surprising numbers of new coders and developers from very different routes. Languages like Python or JavaScript have a ton of cheap or even free online learning opportunities, or Ruby on Rails is not trendy but because of that there is a huge shortage and companies will be more flexible about taking people on with basic skills and the right aptitude/willingness to learn. Being a woman can be an advantage as so many companies are becoming more aware of their massive male skew in technology, and many jobs are partly or fully remote and relatively flexible. A few years in, you'll be paid more than your teaching salary and if you're good, will be able to go freelance if you wish and pick and choose in. To put it in context, a senior Ruby developer can currently charge £750 a day - this would be a fair way in the future, but it's a good direction to be headed.

I did @Rannva

I got 8 interviews after removing any clues to my age from my CV, but then I get to the interviews and can't exactly hide it unless I wear a bag over my head.

How do they see your age? Remove all references to it on your CV.

And as soon as they see you have O levels and have 35 years experience they would have to be pretty dim employers not to work out that you aren't in the first flush of youth.

[quote Frenchforkids3]@DynamoKev are you a project manager? I promise we’re not like that if you’re looking to move…[/quote]
Not anymore- and I know I may get flamed for this but I earn 94k basic and wfh - doubt many PM salaries are up there (although I knew a contractor who probably made at least that most years)

@Minesril to echo rannva you need to look in different places. I pick my daughter up from school every single day. It’s blocked out in my dairy and it’s my status in slack. I still do bits and bobs afterwards and a call here or there but generally I start at 8 and get most of my work done then.

Some industries have used driver's license as part of a screening process when driving isn't part of the job, which can be an issue, though far fewer than it appears when looking through job listing care if you just say you've reliable transport if it comes up.

Not being close enough to work sites is a barrier, but that obviously depends on location. Some lend themselves to more easily walking, biking, car share with another person who does drive. Lots of people work nights that don't or can't drive in areas with limited public transport (or taxis), but I can see if in an area where it's not very well lit or well designed for pedestrians that it's frustrating.

I agree that we have an issue where a good chunk of the jobs available are asking for a lot of flexibility for little in return which is off-putting & some employers may need to shift their practices as the job market changes. We also have a lot that require skilled experience and specialisms many aren't going to have or possibly even know how to get. We need better adult education, particularly for practical skills that don't lend themselves as easily to online learning and more discussion about working alongside learning for adults of all ages.

Also, sometimes clearer job listings as sometimes they come across more like wishlists and, much like with the driver's license issue, many aren't really required if you really get into it.

I was looking at work that literally listed itself as great for those early in their career, but the list of experience and skills needed...I felt disheartened if that's what was being viewed as typical for someone in that position. I'm sure there are people who fit it to a T who see themselves as early in their career, but it felt more like a wishlist. I've been considering retraining as I've a gap from ill health and I feel I'm piddling around, but the hurdles to even the starting 'early' line seem so big.

Unicorn requirements are really common in IT job ads - I’ve even seen them demanding minimum 10 years experience on tech products that have only existed for 5. Lots of employers expecting detailed knowledge and experience multiple areas that nobody could actually have.

Then add that they offer shit wages and expect the earth - and then have the audacity to moan about “skills shortages” - my arse.

@Peregrina

How do they see your age? Remove all references to it on your CV.

And as soon as they see you have O levels and have 35 years experience they would have to be pretty dim employers not to work out that you aren't in the first flush of youth.

You don't need to put on your O levels (hardly any CVs from even people in their early 30s do that), nor experience from 35 years ago, it's unlikely to be relevant. It's fine to include the last 8-10 years and then a 'various roles including [list anything relevant or impressive], further details available on request'

I've had a number of CVs recently from older women, often with career breaks, and this format was never an issue, nor was anyone who briefly listed 'Aug 2017-Sep 2019 career break with family' or similar. It's fairly common now, including among people like me who are recruiting.

I’ve had an email today from an agency advertising a job that has emailed 153 people on 1 email!
I’m fuming as my mail is getting spammed by people replying 😡🤯

We had this issue when ds1 was applying for apprenticeships. Minimum wage apprenticeships demanding experience in customer service for example when they are really only intended for 16 or 18 year olds.

[quote OverTheRubicon]@LyndaLaHughes are you quite numerate/logical? There are surprising numbers of new coders and developers from very different routes. Languages like Python or JavaScript have a ton of cheap or even free online learning opportunities, or Ruby on Rails is not trendy but because of that there is a huge shortage and companies will be more flexible about taking people on with basic skills and the right aptitude/willingness to learn. Being a woman can be an advantage as so many companies are becoming more aware of their massive male skew in technology, and many jobs are partly or fully remote and relatively flexible. A few years in, you'll be paid more than your teaching salary and if you're good, will be able to go freelance if you wish and pick and choose in. To put it in context, a senior Ruby developer can currently charge £750 a day - this would be a fair way in the future, but it's a good direction to be headed.[/quote]
Wow that's interesting - thank you. I have A Level Maths and yes I would I say I am numerate and logical. I'm 44 though and I worry that is a barrier to change.

Also, I am afraid that we should not be keeping people alive if they have not quality of life. We can't afford to do this as a country.

Your answer to a shortage of care workers is to kill off anyone who needs care?

We are not “keeping people alive” in care homes, we are providing care to them until they die. Which is what any civilised nation does.

I'm 44 though and I worry that is a barrier to change.

My mum changed her career in her 50s, twenty five years ago.

I’ve had an email today from an agency advertising a job that has emailed 153 people on 1 email!

That’s a pretty serious breach of confidentiality. You should report that to them.

@LyndaLaHughes don’t be put off moving into tech because of your age. We are seeing more older devs coming through and it’s great to be able to balance our teams with a little more life experience and better developed soft skills.

I am your age BTW and run software development teams.

Just to be contrary I thought that while settling DS2 for his nap, I'd check out these millionty vacancies that I'm overlooking -

Care work - now, I can do care work - but won't get recruited because my sector experience is care and pre babies I was a national manager. Interviewers visibly pale and the feedback is always "overqualified" That said at the moment I can't do it because shift work and eternal pedestrianism doesn't work around here.

Restaurant/ café work - not during school hours. Only afternoons and evenings. Minimum wage doesn't cover childcare - DH not home until after childcare providers close.

Shop work - again it's hours, but it could work if the salary covers necessary childcare which on initial calculations, it doesn't. Shocker

Guardian jobs/ indeed/ total jobs/ charity job and Prospectus threw up a grand total of 1 suitable role which I've emailed about. It's allegedly home based, part time, but the holding email mentioned regional travel which the ad didn't.

I think what's frustrating me is that I'm not stupid, or unwilling, I'm capable and intelligent, but it's frowned upon to let a toddler roam the streets while his mother picks up a shift in Clarks and to book childcare I can't do a job where I'm called on the morning to come in because it's a zero hours contract. Ffs maybe someone should set up a recruitment agency for people who want to return to work in flexible, part time work - there have to be employers out there!

@Peregrina

How do they see your age? Remove all references to it on your CV.

And as soon as they see you have O levels and have 35 years experience they would have to be pretty dim employers not to work out that you aren't in the first flush of youth.

As of the last 5 years advice has been not to include GCSEs on your CV and only discuss your last 2-3 roles, or only the last few years' worth of roles. First this keeps the CV to one page, and second it stops them initially discriminating against age.

Interviews should then be done by panel to avoid a single person's bias against age.

Gone are the days you should be including O Levels on there.

I've not even been looking but in the last week I've been aware of (through social media, ads in windows and friends):

• coffee shop staff
• gym instructors & lifeguards
• 2022 graduate intake (we're looking for around 70 with a STEM background)
• sports coaches
• boarding school "house" staff
• experienced project managers
• senior / lead engineers

It seems the same here in Canada, and in many parts of the US - people cannot find workers. Where I am the hospitality industry is particularly struggling, many places are having to open limited hours because they can't cover shifts. My local Dairy Queen only has drive through because there is no staff to serve in front and clean the seating area and public toilets.

But it is often the jobs that are more unrewarding that are not filling. Not ones where people see their work as a vocation, rather than a way to get food on the table.

@BoredZelda

I’ve had an email today from an agency advertising a job that has emailed 153 people on 1 email!

That’s a pretty serious breach of confidentiality. You should report that to them.

Not if the email addresses are hidden it isn't.

Ah, just seen the original post - it does sound like a breach in fact.