Beggars can't be choosers...got interview at big supermarket

[derbyshire]

After 9 years of full-time mothering my youngest has now started school, and I'm desperately looking for a job.
It's not going well - I'm in the South West, and the competition for the few jobs is fierce. I don't think I'd predicted how hard it would be.
The result is that after 2 months of applying I've only had one interview offered to me - it's on Monday for a major supermarket locally.

Nine years ago I was on £30k, I've got a degree, and I used to work in this same supermarket (different branch) as a student MANY YEARS AGO!

I live in a middle-class enclave with a lovely school, and although I'm relieved to be offered SOMETHING/ANYTHING I'm torn between that feeling, and the worry that (assuming I even get the job) I'm inevitably going to bump into my middle-class, professional neighbours/school gate mothers.

It's bad enough that my career is apparently dead, and I'm back to minimum wage but the idea of the neighbours pitying me......but we do need the money.

AND, as the politicians keep saying recently, I need to get back "into the habit of work".

Anybody else just ended up taking anything to make ends meet......

I'm sure there are plenty of people who have done so.

Good luck with your interview-I know what you mean about competiton. A factory opened locally with 200-odd jobs available. There were 3500 applications.

Tell the yummy mummies at the school gate that your job there is part of your research for the book you're writing/documentary you're making ...

I think you are being far too hard on your self and need to chill out. The jobs market at the moment is harsher than ever and getting back into work is always an uphill struggle.

Your lack of interviews more than probably has nothing to do with you and more to do with the number of candidates going for single roles.

Ignore the politicians - I mean come on when have they been right about ANYTHING..isnt the mess the economy in down in part to them???

I would talk to a recruitment agency and see if they can pop some wow into your CV or if you are feeling up to it write to some of the companies and ask them for their feedback on your application.

Running into the neighbours on the checkout is NOT the worse thing that could happen come on give your self a MASSIVE break your doing nothing shameful in taking a job why should they sneer.

I went back to work after my son was born onto a checkout and now I am a Sales and Accounts Manager going all over the county, we all have to start back somewhere and retailers are a great place to do so. They are extrememly flexable about hours etc

I say go for it you wont look back!!!

I'm in the same boat, going back to work after having my family and am going to take anything going. There is nothing wrong with working in a supermarket. Go for the interview and good luck!