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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:
crw1234 · 07/04/2011 09:26

Great news Freudian
Mrs Jamin - odds are that you will have to pay CM when in pre school - I was a bit put out when mine did - but actually if made sense as she cant fill the place in the mornings probably - probably would have an extra pick up and would be first port of call if there was a problem

FreudianSlippery · 07/04/2011 10:36

The written task went really well. Actual interview didn't though :( I knew what I wanted to say but the words just didn't come out. Thought of all the things I should've said after of course :(

Anyway I'll find out by the end of today, and they said they give feedback for everyone.

Now I'm off to distract myself for several hours.

NicknameTaken · 07/04/2011 12:06

At least the agony will be over soon, Freudian!

I've just sent off an application for a pt job. I've previously applied for 3 ft jobs. Thought I'd be a good match for them all, so it's a bit disheartening that I haven't heard back from any of them. But I know I'm being ridiculous, I've barely started the job hunt. I just have to keep up my self-belief and avoiding sinking into the pit of Nobody Wants Me Waaah!

FreudianSlippery · 07/04/2011 12:08

That was quick... Didn't get it :(

Got some good and useful feedback though, and I'm reasonably pleased. Went through which questions were good and bad etc. Got full marks on some including the written task so that's boosted my confidence a lot.

It turns out there were 10 applicants and only 3 got interviewed, and the other 2 had worked in Children's centres a lot before, so considering that, I'm pleased I got that far.

I'm sad because I really wanted to work there but I haven't got the soul-crushing "oh no they've rejected me" feeling which I've had in the past. I've got lots of volunteering opportunities coming up too.

I've applied for a library apprenticeship which is about the only other thing interesting me ATM, but I won't hear about that for ages. Off on holiday next week so I'm having a break from this process!

NicknameTaken · 07/04/2011 12:13

Sorry you didn't get it, Freudian, but sounds like you did well.

FreudianSlippery · 07/04/2011 18:45

Yep I had more feedback from the other interviewer and she said I did really well, it's just that the successful candidate had loads more experience. I actually feel pretty positive about it, and she's said she will give me a reference for the volunteer work I do at another centre which she runs, so that's a bonus :)

Original poster
MrsJamin · 08/04/2011 13:43

Hey Freudian, sorry that you didnt' get the job - but it sounds like you did well to get to interview stage if you were the only one without experience in children's centres. I went to a jobs fair yesterday and started the process with a Next Steps advisor- going to fill out the skills review thing online and then they will go through it with me in more detail in a few weeks' time - should help me narrow down the options I have.

OP posts:
MoJo5 · 08/04/2011 17:54

Really disappointed spent a whole day precious time doing an application for a BBC job and didn't get it. I have so much experience already in BBC and it was a writing job .. no feedback. So hard to keep pressing on....

hecklephone · 10/04/2011 22:04

Sorry you missed out Freudian and MoJo. Hang on in there...something else will come up I'm sure.

I STILL haven't heard back from my interview on Monday. They did say it might be next week, but I really thought they might have put us out of our misery by Friday! I really, really hope it's tomorrow. I need to get on with either anguishing over the travel dilemma or putting it all out of my mind and getting on with looking elsewhere...

Is anyone else going through the 'new childcare' thing? I'm currently trying to introduce DD2 to the idea of being looked after by someone else, in preparation for me getting a job/working from home. I've got DD1's childminder and a friend's mum helping out but she's so not enjoying being left. I'm trying to remind myself she'll get used to it and soon not think twice, but this is always a hard stage, right?!

Ah well, a new week tomorrow. Happy jobhunting all.

NicknameTaken · 11/04/2011 10:23

Eeek, I have an interview for tomorrow week! It would mean moving from the north-east to the north-west, so moving house (I only rent) and changing nursery for DD....crazy for a maternity cover position? But it's an area I'm really keen to work in, so a foot in the door is worthwhile, right?

Mightn't even get it, so shouldn't drive myself crazy already...

COCKadoodledooo · 11/04/2011 10:28

Hello ladies, another day, another rejection for me Hmm (sorry, mind if I join you?)

Good luck NicknameTaken - if it's not for you you won't get it, but if it is then things will work themselves out.

Found a lovely looking job last week, was about to apply when I worked out the finances and for the days when ds2 would have to be in nursery/with childminder I'd be bringing home precisely 4p. Before paying for petrol to get there. Ho hum.

NicknameTaken · 11/04/2011 11:19

Hi COCK - sorry to hear about the rejection. In a sick kind of way, at least you're getting a rejection. I think it's worse to send things off into the void and never hear again....

4p not much of an attraction - would you get tax credits to top it up, though?

katedan · 11/04/2011 16:03

Can I join the jobs club? Have 3 DC aged 7 and 4yr old twins who start school in sept so now feel this is the right time to job hunt. Have applied for about 8 jobs since january and had one interview so far which I was gutted I did not get as it was working where I already volunteer so I thought i would stand a good chance. I cannot/don't want to return to my previus carear as it was very full on and based in London so alot of commuting. I have no qualifications above school level so I think that is holding me back. I realise the job market in this area is a compettive place at the moment with the smallest job getting 100 applicants but it is hard to say positive. Sounds like a few of you on here are getting some positive feedback and interviews etc so fingers crossed our jobs club will bring luck!! I sent off two applications last week so hopefully i will hear something about an interview soon. I am currently doing a months work with the census to earn some extra pennies but once that finishes in May I will be back on the applications.

nothingnatural · 12/04/2011 03:52

Hi all, Freud, cock, katedan and mojo, so sorry to hear of bastard dispiriting rejections. It's so depressing, at least Freud you got some postitive feedback, well done.

Cock, I know what you mean about adding all the expenses up and coming out with nothing. I'm so bored with being a sahm (no criticisms intended of sahm life but I need to do something or will go mental) that I need something for a couple of days a week even if the pay is teeny.

Anyhoo my BIG EXCITING news is that totally out of the blue this morning I got a phone call from an Arts organisation I applied to in Feb and heard nowt from. They need a part time administrator which is basically a great job for me - and . . . THEY WANT ME FOR AN INTERVIEW!!! I am so excited.

It's next Wednesday, wish me luck.

Katedan, any chance of re-training? I would love to re-train but can't afford it with childcare etc.

katedan · 12/04/2011 13:53

I have an interview!!! Heard back this morning from one of the applications I submitted last week. It is an admin role and really bad pay but I am over the moon that I have at least got an interview.

nothingnatural- I don't mind retraining but have no idea what I really want to do.

Original poster
MrsJamin · 12/04/2011 14:38

Ooh forgot to check this thread for any news. Well done nothingnatural and katedan for getting interviews. How are you both preparing for the interviews? I have done the skills review thingy on the next step website and it's kind of interesting but nothing very new in there. I have to send it to an advisor and it should inform her a bit more about what I should look into.

OP posts:
hecklephone · 13/04/2011 20:36

Well no job for me after last week's Big Interview Sad. It's probably for the best, given the distance I would have had to travel but I'm now feeling pretty bummed about my job/work prospects in general. Ho-hum. On with the search.

Good luck for next wednesday nothingnatural - sounds like a great opportunity.

nothingnatural · 13/04/2011 23:11

Oh no heckle what an arse.

Thanks for the good wishes. I am frantically researching the organisation to give me an edge Smile

katedan · 14/04/2011 11:34

Sorry to hear you did not get the job heckle, fingers crossed something as good nearer home comes up for you soon.

I found out yesterday that I have got an interview for the other job I aplied for last week as well so that will be two interviews in two days. They are bot working for charties but in very different areas so like nothing I am trying to read up about the charties as much as possible.

crw1234 · 14/04/2011 19:22

Hi - just to say I had an interview the other day and found out I didn't get it - but am ok with it mostly - have seen another job or I think 2 that I want to apply for - but got a really busy few days and my youngest has been ill - so its going to be hard work!

nothingnatural · 14/04/2011 22:27

Good luck Katedan, deffo a good idea to do research. My dh says (and this may be totally obvious to everyone so apols if sound patronising) that as well as finding out as much about the company as possible (company website, linkedin, other social networking sites etc ie get general interests of people you'll be working with too) think about where you want to take the company in the future, have some good ideas about future progress for you and the organisation. Also research competitors or others in the same field.

Bummer crw about the interview but as you say onward and upward. Applying for jobs is SUCH hard work. So time consuming. We deserve medals just for getting applications out.

NicknameTaken · 15/04/2011 15:46

Agree about the medals, nothing!

I had a good interview this morning and I think I've a good chance of getting it. Extremely low salary though. I have another interview next Tuesday, and I think on balance I'm keener on that one.

Any thoughts - if I have an offer from the first one but am still hoping to hear from the second one, should I just accept the first one, knowing I might have to tell them I've changed my mind? Or should I be honest and say that I can let them know in a week or so?

sungirltan · 15/04/2011 21:06

can i join? please i need help. i retrained as a sw but had dd at the end of my 3rd year. i am qualified but didn't go stright into nqsw roles like all my classmates. 18 months on and i am trying to start my career part time. i am struggling like hell to either ifnd hting to apply for or know what to look for in the mean time. i am sooo lost!

Original poster
MrsJamin · 16/04/2011 08:26

Nicknametaken- ooh that's a tough one. I would be tempted to accept the first job and hopefully you'll find out about the other one v soon. As long as you haven't signed a contract you've done nothing wrong. The first company might have a long memory though, be careful!

My dilemma at the moment is whether I go for a type of job that I enjoy and is well paid but is likely to be long hours, or something that would be more flexible, school hours and termtime. I am so pulled by head and heart :( difficult being a mum sometimes!

OP posts:
NicknameTaken · 16/04/2011 14:24

Thanks for the feedback, MrsJamin. I want to act with integrity....but not do myself out of a job.

Can see your dilemma too...does it absolutely have to be one or the other - no middle ground?