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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 · 16/04/2011 18:56

Nickname taken - I would cross that bridge when you get to it - ie when hopefullly you get the offer - they might take a while to get back to you anyway - and its only provisional until they have taken up references etc - I would let the truth at that point I think!

Sungirltan - I would have thought that agencies might be helpful for you and even part time - I thought social workers where in real demand - or alternatively if you are looking at local authority you could apply on a part time basis even if advertised as full time

sungirltan · 16/04/2011 20:07

crw1234 - i've odne all thjat and ALL i can do is part time. dd is only 18 months - i have 3 days a week of childcare. agencies want post qualifiying experience which i dont have

nothingnatural · 20/04/2011 00:05

Eeeeeeeeeeek interview today for an Arts Admin post. I reallyreallyreally want to get it - although I am also applying for a school admin post so if this one doesn't come off then I can go for another one.

So far I have prepared by researching the organisation, I took the skills test that MrsJ linked to earlier - that website had some good ideas re interview qu's etc.

Also I have plucked my eyebrows and washed my hair. Still gotta decide what to wear though.

nothingnatural · 20/04/2011 10:37

Well, I went to the interview after a frantic morning taking kids swimming, sorting f*cked car out, dropping children off at various childcare/friends etc.

Arrived early and gibbered like a crazy person to the Creative Director, then kept running out of breath and being just odd during the interview itself.

So . . . I think I've basically stuffed that one right up.

Now I feel all gloomy and Eeyore-ish about everything. Arse.

NicknameTaken · 20/04/2011 11:49

Didn't get the job I was going for. They said I did a great interview and was their second-choice candidate, but it went to an internal candidate who had been doing the job in an acting capacity. It's not actually a crushing blow because it turns out the job only lasts till December (maternity leave cover) and I'm not sure it makes sense to move cities for such a short contract. And they liked me, and I have an idea for some freelance work that I could potentially do with them, so I don't think it was a waste.

Should hear today about a redeployment opportunity in my current organisation. It's a huuuuge drop in salary but it would keep the wolf from the door, more or less.

NicknameTaken · 21/04/2011 09:33

Damnit, yesterday I was so philisophical about not getting the job, and today I'm really sad about it. I was perfect for that job, I have exactly the right skills, and they even said so. Why did they even advertise it if it was earmarked for the internal candidate anyway? I would have loved it so much. Aaagh.

nothingnatural · 21/04/2011 10:26

God, it's frustrating isn't it NicknameTaken. I feel your pain dude.

You did give some good reasons yesterday as to why that job wasn't suitable. But how bloody annoying that they gave it to an internal candidate.

NicknameTaken · 21/04/2011 10:32

Thanks for the sympathy, nn! It would have been awkward logistically, but it's a kind of role I really love.

Anyway, enough whining. After my last message, I decided I had to stop brooding and do something so I chased up the redeployment opportunity, and they're offering me 18.5 hours a week. Not as exciting in terms of the work, but it will keep me going while I try to break back into the area of work that I really care about. So a success, kind of.

katedan · 25/04/2011 17:01

I did not get either of the two jobs I interviewed for last week. From the interview I felt they were not the right jobs for me but it is still downer that I cannot even get a admin job when I had such a good job before.

So I am back to job hunting!

NicknameTaken · 27/04/2011 13:51

Sorry about that, katedan. You know this already, but getting to the interview stage means that at least your CV/application is up to scratch. Good luck with next round of applications.

tostaky · 03/05/2011 15:56

joining the club.
Im working pt 4 days a week now in engineering and want to change for something more family friendly (2 lovely DCs and thinking a bout a 3rd..)
Im looking for something which allows me to work when i want and with a good pay and that makes me use my head a bit . any ideas? ill update my progress later!

CheesedoffBedford · 04/05/2011 09:33

Have trawled round all local job agencies looking for temporary work to fit in with term time. Some adopt thinly disguised contempt and total disbelief that I can't work in school holidays. Have degree and lots of high level experience but would take anything. Would do cleaning (apparently pays £12 and hour) but customers would like their houses cleaned in the holidays ! Child at school where term dates weeks shorter than state sector, so hopes of classroom assistant etc blown out of water. Body past it and grey hair so selling body looks like a no-hoper !

nothingnatural · 05/05/2011 10:10

Can you do secretarial temp work cheesedoffBedford?

I am waiting to hear from my interview 10 days or so ago. I've also applied for a great job at a local school but am waiting for an acknowlegement from them. Waiting waiting waiting - it's so dull.

Tostaky if you find a family friendly job please let us know what it is

CheesedoffBedford · 05/05/2011 10:40

Only temp work around requires proven words per minute and very recent job experience. Interesting job came up yesterday through the job centre website working as a "customer adviser" for an escort agency. Proven customer service ability a requirement. Quite amazing that the government would allow such jobs to be advertised given albeit perceived working environment.

Original poster

MrsJamin · 06/05/2011 10:16

CheesedoffBedford - that's shocking! I too have been getting down about the quality of part-time jobs, let alone limiting myself to school term-time. Are there any companies that sell products to schools around you? This can often yield jobs that are just term-time as you can't sell to schools when they aren't in term time.

I have just joined LinkedIn (aka the professional facebook) and I am trying to network like mad to find people from my old company and work out where they are now, and whether they could help me get a job. I would really recommend the site, I have already found a few useful contacts at some local companies. It also can provide extra information about people who work at companies you'd like to work at.

I'm just trying to write a speculative letter to a company I'd really like to work for - send me good vibes everyone!

OP posts:

naf52 · 06/05/2011 18:23

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet.

ChablisLover · 09/05/2011 09:34

Can I join?

I was made redundant a month ago and am looking for pt work in my field - which seems to be like finding a needle in a haystack. EVeryone wants ft or nothing.

DS is 4 and starts school in September - I had been planning to go back to near FT hours when this happened.

Have registered with agencies and am keeping ear to the ground.

Thanks

MovingAndScared · 09/05/2011 20:12

Hello everyone - I have namechanged - but was on here before and have had a break from applications due to imminent relocation - however got 2 applications to do for jobs I would really like to do - one is a role I have always thought would be good for me - and I know the organisation, and they know me - which is probably a good thing :)
ChablisLover - I really want part time too but I have decided that its going to be too restritive -and I really need a job - and as above most of the jobs are pretty poor quaulity - so applying for full time if they look like they will have some flexiablity in them - agencies are rubbish for helping with part time job search in my view - better looking direct at possible employers
Tostaky -I would like that kind of job too...

Original poster

MrsJamin · 09/05/2011 21:15

chablislover & movingandscared - I am in exactly the same position, I get a jobs email alert for pt jobs in my town and all they say is "sales assistant" and "cleaner"- argh. It seems that once you've got a part time job negotiated down from full time, you're stuck as nowhere advertises for part time jobs.

I really want to find a jobshare partner so I can apply for jobs with them. However finding this person is the tricky bit! Think I will try and find others in my field through LinkedIn or keep asking old colleagues.

OP posts:

COCKadoodledooo · 17/05/2011 15:08

Hello ladies!

I have just had a phone call inviting me to interview next week

I have been applying for stuff since November, this is only the second acknowledgement I've had, never mind invitation to interview!

Chuffed to have got this far - now I just have to work out what the chuff I'm going to do with ds2!!

Original poster

MrsJamin · 17/05/2011 18:27

Ooh well done COCKadoodledooo! Do you want the role? Why are your options re your DS2? How old is he?

OP posts:

COCKadoodledooo · 17/05/2011 19:41

Thanks MrsJamin and yes I really really do It is more hours than I wanted (25 a week minimum), but it is also term time only. Without wanting to be over-confident, I know I can do it, and it is something that really interests me. Those things are huge because I really am going back to work through necessity rather than choice, and the thought of leaving my wee chap in a nursery every day, or that he won't have the same relationship with me potentially than ds1 did at similar age fills me with dread, so it really does have to be the right job. And it does help that they're the only ones who've offered me an interview

Ds2 is almost 19mo. It'd be a nursery or a childminder, can't afford a nanny. We had a fab cm for ds1 in that city but she has inconsiderately given up to become a teacher!

MovingAndScared · 17/05/2011 20:43

Great news COCKadoodledooo -re childcare depends on the area of course - but my feeling is that quite a lot of childminders are quite quiet at the moment - so I would look around for one maybe -council website can be a good place to start and personally I think 25 hours for 19 months old will be fine

Original poster

MrsJamin · 18/05/2011 06:08

Yeah I'd say it's worth looking into a childminder for an under 2, but I would make sure you gve several backup plans in case the CM is sick, or her children are sick, or she has a baby early (twice that happened! Nb don't employ a pregnant CM!)
That sounds a great job though, termtime is the holy grail of jobs!
Have you picked your interview outfit?!

OP posts:

ChablisLover · 18/05/2011 09:57

Good Luck Cockadoodledoo

Just back from Signing on. Even lady in Benefits office said there is not an awful lot out there.

Have sent CV away for job advertised Closing date was Friday past - Fingers crossed. Just waiting by phone & letter box all this week.

Could do with some good luck

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