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Original poster

MN Job Club- join us to get motivated!

137 replies

MrsJamin · 05/04/2011 07:00

Inspired by another thread, let's have a general chat thread for those looking for a job.

Me? I've got 2 DS, 1.1 and 3.2, and for my last job, my fixed term contract ran out whilst on maternity so I'm looking for that elusive part time job that would ideally be school hours, termtime, interesting, challenging, and paid well. I'm also looking for a moon on a stick.

OP posts:
FreudianSlippery · 05/04/2011 07:47

Hello, I've got a DS 1.7 and a DD 3.9. Have been a SAHM since having them - I was made redundant at 6m PG which has seriously dented my confidence.

I was planning to wait until DD starts school in sept and then go back PT, but it's now a matter of urgency. DH has been off for 7m with a prolapsed disc, is now waiting for physio/surgery and sick pay has stopped (without warning - possibility of a tribunal) - am now looking desperately for work, FT included.

There's not much out there though :( I don't have much experience in anything. Near-perfect A levels though, so it seems I am in the middle ground of over-qualified for some things and under-qualified for everything else.

I hate this! Support thread a very good idea :)

nothingnatural · 05/04/2011 08:00

Hi this is perfect for me. I've got 2 dds youngest is 3 so in childcare 2 days a week. I need a VERY well paid, interesting job, preferably glamorous and artistic - praps something in telly or maybe the movies - just 2 days a week tho as has to fit around available child care.

More realistically a nice part time admin job would be good.

My last job was working for our own biz which has now been sold. I've had an interview recently and shockingly I failed to get it - even though I was wearing nice shoes Angry.

Oh, I am a graduate with a post-grad teaching qualification which shittingly I can't use over here (am not UK based). I

FreudianS I too am livid when I look and look but no bloody jobs available, unless of course I want to be a cleaner (may happen) or a nurse (wish I'd done nursing instead of teaching now).

May go and have a quick browse at the job ads now, in case Warner Bros are after all looking for a middle aged sahm to star in their latest movie.

nothingnatural · 05/04/2011 08:19

Right, well, just had a look at gvmt jobs site and a teaching site and nup, zip, nowt doing for me on them, AGAIN.

Downright annoying that's what that is.

flork1 · 05/04/2011 09:43

Hi - I ran the office of a primary school ON MY OWN for ten years whilst all the schools around me had at least two people in the office. (I also have a degree and postgrad teaching cert but took the job to be able to work around my children) I stuck with a useless, lazy, unsupportive headteacher for four years and decided life was too short and left. Just as the recession was starting to bite. Bad timing. Now the jobs I go for I am usually overqualified for. It's been over a year now - I never thought I wouldn't be working.

NicknameTaken · 05/04/2011 10:06

Great idea to have a job club! I'm still working full-time but my contract ends next month. I'm also a lone parent to DD3, although her father does quite a lot of childcare, which increases my options. Will do FT or PT. I'm also doing some postgrad study PT, so another option is to find the funding to let me do that on a FT basis.

I veer between wild optimism and severe anxiety about my job prospects.

Original poster
MrsJamin · 05/04/2011 11:47

I too have had enough of a job email every day telling me I can be a cleaner! My trouble is that I have dabbled in lots of sectors so I don't really know which to go back to to pursue anything worthwhile.

OP posts:
hecklephone · 05/04/2011 15:48

MrsJamin I think you and I are looking for the same job! DD1 is 4 and DD2 is 1 and it's time - I need to get back to work. Am toying with the idea of freelance work from home but seem to be reluctant to commit to that wholeheartedly. I guess the appeal of a 'clocking in and clocking out' - type job with a steady wage packet is too great so I'm also applying for the usual office admin posts etc.

I did have an interview yesterday for a job that is totally in my field (media) and part-time BUT is Quite Far Away. I'm now slightly panicking that I might actually get offered it and find myself with a real dilemma: ideal job + travel vs mediocre job + close to home Confused.

In any case, I'm basically looking forward to getting on with things, getting regular work, money in the bank, weekly routine...bring it on!

Original poster
MrsJamin · 05/04/2011 17:46

That's the issue, isn't it, hecklephone, you just can't have everything. I've seen an admin post at brilliant hours tues-fri, 9-3.30, very close to home, at a similar company I've worked at before, but it's "up to" £10 per hour. If a childminder charges me full rate when DS is at preschool, I will be paying £8 per hour childcare. So that would leave me with v v little! Ideally I would be doing what I did before DS1 but I had to leave that role as they refused flexible working, it was full time or nothing, so I had to leave. I still really miss my old colleagues and the office banter. What I've done recently is to write down my 'must haves' and then clarify my 'nice to haves'. It will make it easier to then dismiss jobs that look good but actually are impractical.

So on my list of things to do is a) edit my CV, and b) get an officey outfit together as I'm going to a local jobs fair this week - eek! V scary and I'm not sure how it really works.

OP posts:
FreudianSlippery · 05/04/2011 17:56

Eek I bumped into the lady who might be interviewing me Blush

I didn't bring it up as we were discussing something unrelated and I didn't want to appear arrogant and assume I'll get an interview.

I'm still increasing my prospects of voluntary work, got some training courses lined up. I am assuming it will all look good on the CV. They are things I really want to take part in anyway so I'll actually be a bit sad if I work FT and don't get to do them!

catinthehat2 · 05/04/2011 18:13

"I didn't bring it up as we were discussing something unrelated and I didn't want to appear arrogant and assume I'll get an interview."

just sticking in my nose here as I'm not jobhunting.

please don't be backward in coming forward. Honestly, most chaps would automatically mention an interview in this situation(really, there's nothing to lose), and I'm guessing most ladies wouldn't. It is NOT NOT NOT arrogant to mention a fact or to remind someone of something about yourself, please be confident in your abilities and don't doubt your worth.

Original poster
MrsJamin · 05/04/2011 19:10

Flork1 - this is something that I've considered doing as I was a teacher for a little while. Is it reasonably paid? Do you have to work outside school hours or in holidays? There's a new school opening near me and it interests me to approach them about this kind of opportunity there.

OP posts:
nothingnatural · 05/04/2011 23:38

Right . . . deep breath . . . today is a new day (here it is anyway).

Today I shall, write a covering letter for schools and post it and my cv off to all the local skools so they can keep me on file bin it for any upcoming work. Flork, basically I too want to do what you've done (but without the unsupportive head obv)

Will report back saying I've done it.

FreudianSlippery · 06/04/2011 07:55

Today I am so so nervous. Hopefully will get a phonecall or email inviting me for interview - interviews are tomorrow morning so I'll know if I don't get picked.

I think I filled in the form well, but I guess it's a question of how many others applied and how my form compares to theirs.

My stomach is churning, I am so worried :( no other leads really, at least nothing that I feel I've got a vague hope of getting, and certainly nothing I feel the same about - this job is perfect and I know I'd be great at it if I'm given the chance.

AAAAAAAAAARGH

nothingnatural · 06/04/2011 08:12

Good luck freudianS. Fingers crossed for you. What kind of job are you going for - be as vague as you like Smile

Original poster
MrsJamin · 06/04/2011 08:24

Ooh good luck Freudianslippery!

OP posts:
flork1 · 06/04/2011 09:27

Good luck freudianslippery! MrsJasmin - I loved that job! It suited me perfectly. I took home just over £1000 a month and I had all the holidays. If you like dealing with people - some of them quite fraught as you're dealing with their children - and knowing that no two days are the same it's great. I don't think the pay is great considering the level of responsibility I had. Meeting gov deadlines on my own wasn't great at times - the overtime I had to put in was not paid (or appreciated, even when I spelt it out) but if I didn't do it who would? But I was unlucky with the head. (They've replaced my job with two people now, which goes to show ...) And there are other probs with the pay structure which grates after a while.

flork1 · 06/04/2011 09:28

(Sorry about all the greats!)

FreudianSlippery · 06/04/2011 11:32

It's a job in the Children's centre. Haven't heard anything yet but I think it might have said the deadline was midday today so it's not necessarily bad news.

crw1234 · 06/04/2011 11:43

Great idea to have a jobs club - I was made redundant last week -doing census till mid may - and also relocationg so quite alot on my plate

MrsJamin - do you or your OH if there is one - have access to childcare vouchers as they can cut cost of childcare a bit - and 8 pound an hour sounds a lot for a CM - I am guessing thats in london

FreudianSlippery · 06/04/2011 12:59

1 hour gone since closing and nothing yet

I wouldn't be so bothered if this was any old job - I was happily applying to anything going, but then I found this and it is perfect. I'm worried that if I don't get this I won't be able to fake enthusiasm for any other job interview!

flork1 · 06/04/2011 13:10

they'll need time to sort out all the paperwork, draw up a shortlist and contact everyone etc. sit tight.

FreudianSlippery · 06/04/2011 17:13

Yay I got an interview :) was just starting to give up on the idea when they called.

Now I'm nervous :o

Original poster
MrsJamin · 06/04/2011 20:34

crw1234 - welcome to the jobs club! 8 per hour as I have 2 boys, if I still have to pay a childminder when DS1 is at preschool he might not as well have free hours of nursery!

Freudianslippery - well done!!! That's fab. When's the interview? What are you going to wear?!

Flork1 - sounds good about working in a school, may give it a bit more thought. Hopefully it wouldn't work against me that I'm an ex-teacher.

OP posts:
hecklephone · 06/04/2011 21:04

Good going Freudian! I had a clothing crisis for my interview earlier this week as I have almost nothing that isn't mummy clothes in my wardrobe! Fortunately Oasis sale came up trumps and a nice blouse and pair of black trousers is now hanging next to the jeans and hoodies Grin

FreudianSlippery · 06/04/2011 22:26

I have a suit Shock although the top underneath is less formal. I am Reasonably Large of Nork and although I found some gorgeous shirts, they make me look like I'm using my assets...

DH has quizzed me on the person spec and I'm confident I have an answer for everything; what I'm worried about is whether I'll manage to get the words out at all, let alone in the right order. At least it's early in the morning so I won't have the day to get more nervous.

I know both interviewers through voluntary work so that may help quell the nerves a bit Confused

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