To think getting a job is impossible for some?

[stuckinthemuddiestwaters]

Two years of looking. Many applications. Two recent interviews. Second choice for both, so did not get a job offer. Had good feedback, but you don’t know what they are really thinking about you.

I have plenty of experience and also promotions at previous workplaces.

AIBU to think I am unemployable?

It must be very niche indeed if even mentioning the industry or type of work would be outing. Surely that’s the problem?

There's plenty of jobs available, no one is unemployable. You could have a job by tea time if you really wanted one.

You're either very selective with what you're applying for or other people are more skilled and better at interviews than you.

It is not that niche really. I am probably just paranoid that someone I know is on here.

I think there are jobs available but they aren't the jobs everyone wants.

I remember getting my first role in care work and having numerous friends who "couldn't get a job" tell me they would never consider that field despite there being plenty of jobs available.

Some of the replies on here really make me think about how our societal expectations don’t match the job market. We expect both partners to work, but we don’t support that with enough PT or flexi roles.

Who did she use? Obviously only if you can tell me

Does it have to be this particular industry or sector that you don’t want to mention? Are none of your skills and experience transferable? A professional coaching session might help you identify how you could branch out.

I don’t think you’re unemployable, it sounds like you’re just chasing jobs in one particular area that an awful lot of women with children will be applying for: part time around school hours, office based.

I think you’ll need to adjust your expectations. It’s seems pt, office based, in your industry isn’t an option open to you at the moment so what can ‘give’?

can you go full time then maybe see if you can flex down? (This is probably the most realistic. Most people don’t have the option to be pt, you may need to suck it up and try ft for a while.

would a different industry be an option? You might find you like it more?

could you apply for a lower grade role? You may find it easy to progress back up once you have more recent expert and tbh if you’d taken a lower level job 2 years ago you could have already got a promotion?

Ds is 18yo and has been applying for jobs recently for over the summer...he has been offered two job interviews so far after applying for three jobs.

One is food related on a conveyor belt type role, the other housekeeping. He is keen to earn some cash. No idea what will happen next but there are jobs out there for everyone. Just lower your expectations.

Ds is 18yo and has been applying for jobs recently for over the summer...he has been offered two job interviews so far after applying for three jobs.

One is food related on a conveyor belt type role, the other housekeeping. He is keen to earn some cash. No idea what will happen next but there are jobs out there for everyone. Just lower your expectations.

DS has some job experience already as he used to work in a recycling centre but his contract was terminated because he was absent due to ill health. He didn't get down about it, now he is well he has started applying for other jobs...

Call a recruiter and don't be overly picky my husband got made redundant at the start of the month and started a new job three days later.

He does university admin only has about 4 years experience in the field (worked in retail prior to covid) and no degree earns an average (outside of London) salary.

I don't advertise part time roles anymore. They are swamped with poor applications and its too easy to miss good candidates. Small businesses rarely have dedicated HR so recruitment is another thing to add to your existing workload. Looking for a full time person is easier.

Without meaning to sound harsh, I think it’s your expectations that are unrealistic here. You haven’t been in the workforce for a good period of time yet you seem to want the holy grail of jobs - part-time and in an office to fit around your children.

Millions of families have two working parents without the benefit of part-time, flexible hours - they just work shifts around each other or pay for childcare.

It really sounds like you need to be more flexible in terms of what jobs you look for and what hours you’re willing to work.

It’s difficult at the moment. Since you need a part time role I think you may need to adjust your expectations of finding something in your particular field. I would apply for everything that fits your hours requirement. Something is better than nothing and shows your work ethic. There are transferrable skills from any job that will boost your CV. Then you can be selective about the kind of role you really want, do some extra training/courses in your spare time etc. I say this as someone who is going back to a part time retail job in the same place I worked when I was 16, while I study for a career change. It’s not what I want to do long term at all, but it will keep me in a routine, using customer service and interpersonal skills, and most importantly, financially comfortable. Good luck op xx

Ime there are plenty of PT and flexi roles.

flexi roles are easier- nearly all my company’s admin roles are flexi.

pt as I said is tougher as it will only meet the business need if there is already someone PT and there is a part role to fill. Often the PT has picked their days so the new role is created around that.

the best option for PT is to start full time and reduce hours. Which is what nearly everyone I know has done. With a couple of exceptions- I have a friend who’s a 999 call handler and they can pretty much set their hours. They’ll take PT as there are always gaps to fill.

Feel your pain OP. I have been looking and applying recently and getting nowhere fast. I am finding it difficult to get my foot in the door of somewhere new at the level I need.

I'm fortunate I don't need a job I would just like to move on for progression in the next 6-12 months - so I feel really bad for those who are desperate for a new job.

I understand where you are coming from. Although, I did have 20 odd years of experience before I did a short stint as a SAHM. I have postgraduate qualifications in my field as well.

I know I probably need to cast the net wider, but it is very disappointing to give up a professional career.

If i apply for jobs in other industries, I am starting at the beginning and competing with the hundreds of grads looking for jobs, so probably not better off?

Unfortunately that’s one of the risks you take when you become a SAHP - people will take your place.

Personally I would focus on getting any job possible then keep applying from there - it’s always easier to find a job when you have a job, even if that means you’re working in a shop or behind a checkout for a few months.

Thank you for your empathy. I really hope you find something soon.

A friend of mine was in the same situation. Post grad quals, 15 year of experience and 5 year as a sahm.

she couldn’t step back into her old role as she was competing against those with no career break and current skill.

so her choice was take several steps back in her old role, where she would be competing against new grads so had the experience to give her the edge. Which meant going back to the grind and full time, promotion seeking etc.

or completely switch career. Which is what she did. Took an entry level, non graduate role in an interesting field. Meant no pressure, could flex hours more easily, could request pt after her initial assessment period. No worrying about promotion, family could come first etc. ended up being good at it, never went pt, several internal role switches and is now doing really well, has a career which works around her family.

You're not unemployable, you aren't applying for the right opportunities in the right way. Like how no house is unsellable but won't sell if marketed in the wrong way. If you have savings, or someone who loves you enough to support this, it's worth paying for some career coaching to help you identify what the right opportunities are, and to market yourself appropriately.

Finding a job is easy, finding a job you want is admittedly more difficult. I used to work in recruitment, the fact that your not working now would be a red flag for me,
any job (even if just a stop gap) is better than no job.

I agree with this, unfortunately. I work in HR and the job market right now is insane. We get an average of 150 applications for every job we advertise....these are professional office roles in admin, finance, marketing etc. Competition is fierce, it's not unusual for us to get 300+ applications and when we're screening that many CVs per role then any reason to filter out an application we will use. I know it's harsh but if you haven't worked at all for 2 years then that's going to count against you in a situation where there'll be 100 other candidates with more recent experience.

In your situation, I would get any job at all to fit with the hours you want. It is easier to find work once you're in work. We just hired someone that had been a senior manager in a previous role but was made redundant and has spent the last 6 months working at the local Morrisons supermarket. They needed to bring money in so took whatever role they could get and that is a plus in my eyes as it shows they're willing to work hard and be flexible.

It is sad really that we discount women who have years of experience because they took a relatively short time (in the scheme of entire working years) to look after DC. And then expect us to work our way up from the bottom again. I know it is the reality, but it doesn't make it right. I'm not suggesting this is your fault btw, I know you are just highlighting the realities of a competitive job market!

I don’t think it’s that women are discounted - anyone who takes several years out of work is putting themselves at a disadvantage, whether that’s to raise children, travel or practise your circus skills.

It’s a warning that comes up on here time and time again - taking several years out of work to raise children isn’t something to do lightly.