Work that fits in around school - dilemma!

[newbeliever]

In my previous life (work before children!) I had a successful career in a FTSE 100 company as their head of internal comms. Once my children came along, I really couldn't entertain the idea of returning to work - the job was very stressful, lots of travelling - I couldn't see how I would fit everything in.

For the last 3 years I have been working as a clerk to the governors for a few schools - it's basically working from home and attending the schools to minute their meetings - it's a maximum of 10 hours a week. Over the last 6 months or so, I have enjoyed the work less and less, I don't like working from home and I don't like the interruptions I get from governors and head teachers at any time of the day - I sometimes feel like I am constantly on call.

However, the work is fairly well paid for a part-time role and I thought it would be a useful springboard to a job in a school etc. Over the last 6 months I have applied for a number of school related job + other part-time work and I haven't had one interview (bar an interview with my ex employer, which didn't work out due to lack of budget sign off!).

Last week I helped my mum out at her boss's warehouse, packing products, receiving deliveries etc it was nice to be around people and enjoyed the fact that when I left the warehouse my time was my own. Today, I have just received a phone call offering me a job 3 days a week - school hours. I am really tempted but my DH has put me off as he thinks it is too 'manual' for me and it may hinder any future career moves. I just feel that to date I have had no success even getting an interview for a school hours friendly role, I enjoyed my time last week and I am really not enjoying the clerking any more. Having said that I do want to return to some sort of career, but probably not until both my children are at senior school which is a good 6 years away.

What do you think? Should I stick out the clerking and carry on applying for jobs? Or, take the 'packing' job?

Sorry for the long post just felt I needed to give a bit of background first

Is there not any way you could 'change' some of the things about your current job. E.g. could you not ask one of the schools if you could use their facilities (e.g. a desk) to get you out of the house. Also, you need to be a bit stricter with the govenors and tell them that they can only contact you at certain times. You could ask them to email you or get a cheap pay-as-you go phone that you can turn off.

Would you be happy doing the warehouse job for a couple more years? Whilst you would have the company, would you not find it a bit dull after a while (you strike me as the kind of person who likes to use their brain), which is why I'm trying see of there are ways of making your job work.

I think your job offers you flexibility, but if you go for the other job, you may loose that. FOr example, what would happen if you children get ill or who would look after them during the holidays?

Thanks for responding Chanie. I have looked into trying to get a desk at the school before, but space is at a premium. When I visit just to photocopy I always feel like I'm in the way - then there's the bursar . . . I've never had trouble getting on with people before, but 2 of my 3 schools have very 'challenging' bursars - I can't wait to get out of the school if I'm honest!

No, I wouldn't be happy doing the warehouse job two years down the line - although I am kind of hoping it may lead to other things - the company that manage the warehouse (where my mum is based) also have a publishing arm - they do magazines on behalf of companies that do not have internal comms functions - so would be right up my street. I suppose I was thinking it would be a foot in the door.

The childcare - schools/illness isn't too much of a problem, my DH works shifts and my mum doesn't work the days I'd be working, so I'm fairly confident I'll be able to cover it without too much hassle.

Hmmm, not thinking any clear at the mo. . .

To be honest, I think the work you're doing now is a bit beneath you.

Why don't you see if you can do something related to your previous job, but from home? Presumably you can write, why not produce copy for internal magazines or employee websites/newsletters. Or speak to the publishing houses that you know and see what opportunities they have?

Being freelance means you'll have much more control over your hours.

Squeaver thanks for posting. To be honest I haven't really thought about going down that route yet - I have been put off from homeworking by the clerking work - I don't really have the space to work properly from home - I do it all from a computer desk in our dining room, with all my papers usually spread across the dr table and all my files hidden in a chest in the corner of the room. I really don't think I'm cut out for working from home - although I agree the flexibility and amount of control is tempting

What sorts of jobs do former 'career' mumsnetters return to after a 7 year break if they want something that fits in around the children? I know in my heart of hearts that as much as I do miss my career I am not ready to launch back into anything yet - I still love taking/picking my DCs up from school, popping in to help, doing the whole 'after school' club thing, I really do want something that is only school hours and prefarably no more than 3 days a week.

To give you an idea of what I'm up against, when I followed up my applications to find out why I didn't get an interview - I was basically told that they received so many applications 100+ that they simply didn't have the time to read all the CVs - a lot of these jobs are only paying just above the minimum wage Unfortunately, I live in a very affluent area and there are a lot of women in a similar position to me who are just happy to have a job that keeps them occupied for a few hours a week - the money or status of the role is not an issue (that's not my situation, by the way).

It's starting to knock my confidence and it just seems mad to me to not seriously consider this offer. I'm talking myself into it aren't it

Well - speaking as a newly jobseeking mum and frankly I am shocked how little there is out there I would say take it!!

It fits your needs re school hours etc and being p/t I'm beginning to think it really doesn't matter so much what you do (re rerouting of career path etc) as a full on full time one would. I mean when you're full time etc pensions, years of service etc seem to mean so much more so you can't chop and change as freely as p/t. What's to stop you from taking this appealing position while you carry on looking for one you see as more your level? A job's a job - at least this one probably won't follow you home! and in this current climate apparently it won't put prospective employers off with it being "manual" etc. I was talking to this lovely chap on the train the other day - huge employer in his day etc (retired) and I shared this very fear with him and he said no, people do what they can do and you'll only be looked on more favourably for finding something especially if you do an excellent job. You will have some more empoyees to provide good references and you'll look flexible, and if this position should grow into something even better then it's a bonus - even if you do it as is you still have the opportunity to make the best of it you can and that can only make you look even more employably attractive surely, should you decide to change later.

Good luck and keep us informed :)

My 1st job was oin a warehouse actually and I really enjoyed it - fabulous exercise!

In

Thanks Mspontipine Know what you mean re the exercise I did actually lose 3lbs last week , think it was a combination of being more active and not having the opportunity to scoff biscuits.

I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned about how few jobs there are out there at the moment. I'm desperate for something that fits in with the hours I'm being offered, I'm fed up with filling in endless on-line applications for jobs that are so basic (I hope I don't sound big-headed). Pre children, it was simply a matter of sending a CV and covering letter - an application form I was filling in the other day took my 2hrs to complete there were 5 compentency based questions with a maximum of 500 words per question - this was for a basic office admin role, 3hrs a day for the princely sum of £6.50 an hour.

I am worried about my CV, but I always think it is best to show that I am working than not at all. The way I am feeling about the clerking, I am in danger of resigning with nothing new to go to.

What part of the country are you in Mspontipine? I'm in the south east, just outside London. Are you returning to work after a career break too? I've decided I'm going to pop in and meet with the boss tomorrow to get some more information - I'll let you know what the outcome is

I'm East Midlands. Returning to work after 8 years of being single mum to my son. Due to benefit changes will be expected to get job or sign on early next year so wanted to get ahead of the game.

I got quite excited about the thought of returning to work - how it would get me out meeting people etc etc - I've become so isolated and lonely since having DS - often I only see people twice a day at the school gates - and it would be good for him too. Now actually looking it is so hard and I'm feeling so despondent and low about it already :( So great - push a load more single mums out into a jobmarket where there weren't enough jobs to go around to begin with.

Just another way to make us feel crap about ourselves!

Forgive the negativity but honestly!!!

Mspontipine, I agree the new benefit changes relating to when you have to return to work seem a bit mad given the current climate. There are simply not enough jobs to go around at the moment - I can't believe the number of mums who are chasing the same jobs as me - it got me down too.

I've decided to go for the job - I met with the manager today and they are prepared to be so flexible, they also want me to 'oversee' the operation which would mean I'd have responsibility for some staff so not as basic as I originally thought.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you that my good luck rubs off. I have to say that with all the little jobs I have had since being a SAHM i have always found them through friends and family - so developing a good network seems to be the answer. Also, have you thought about doing Clerk to the Governors - it is very flexible and you can build your hours up slowly depending on how many schools you look after. Where I am based, they are always on the look out for new people, but never seem to advertise, they just leave it to word of mouth. The money isn't bad either, Surrey CC pay £12 per hour. Have a look on your local authority website. All the best.

I do like the idea of the company where your mum works. Firstly, they want you. Secondly, it fits into your life. Thirdly, i strongly believe that just being 'out there' and doing something creates a positive buzz and energy that leads to other things. Lastly, you sounded almost happy about your experience there! If you already have a 'foot in the door' approach, anything is possible.

Thanks thebelletolls. I've been experiencing cold-feet again this week and have been frantically checking what other jobs are out there, but there is nothing . . . You are right, the job fits in perfectly, they want me, they sound flexible and there is the possibility of getting my foot in the door to other opportunities. I'm due to start next week, have been procrastinating re handing in my notice over the clerking work - the next month is going to be tough as starting the new job and servicing my month's notice with the schools I clerk for. Roll on 2011!

I'd go with your instinct. If you like working with people you are probably never going to thrive working from home for bosses that contact you sporadically.

Having said that when I saw your post, it struck me you could start a niche business supporting other school Governors and find another person to work with, hence you aren't alone and are building a business.

The 'Virtual Assistant' industry is booming from what I have learnt from work.

The job situ is dire. As somebody who has interviewed 100s of people through my job, I would always admire somebody who has done a job, rather than no job. All I wanted to hear was a career story that makes sense, and taking a job that fits around childcare is just that.

Good luck.

Can you do both jobs for a while? If the Clerk to the Governors stuff is only 10 hours? You may find that once you're out of the house 3 days a week, and only available to take calls from heads/governors 2 days a week, the feeling of being 'pursued' sorts itself out?

Like you, I'd be conscious of not having something on my CV that couldn't be easily explained away another day.

Could you drop one or two schools and take on a small amount of work in the warehouse which you could explain away as helping your Mum out?

Or, if you like the buzz of warehouse work, could you produce a product so that you were doing that sort of work with something you had thought through from scratch and had developed the strategy behind?

Btw, I'd get a cheap pay as you go phone and give that number to teachers and governors - and be strict about keeping it turned off

Go for the warehouse job if you fancy it. there are loads of pluses. You'll get fit, the hours are good, it's friendly and there's not much else out there. Even if you just do it for a few months to get you back into work mode, it would be useful for that alone. And if you're over qualified, it might lead to something else. A promotion within that company, maybe, or someone you meet there might know someone who is looking for a PT employee with your skills. I've done the occasional manual filler job over the years and something good always comes of them. It doesn't have to look bad on your CV.