MN Job Club- join us to get motivated!

[MrsJamin]

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.

Ok, another attempt to revive this thread, despite obviously spammy posts! Anyone had any joy yet? I'm in limbo at the moment - deadline for job I applied for passed on Friday so cue fervent checking of email and rushing to phone every time it pings...nothing yet though. Am thinking about it every day though - can't stop thinking about work/job/career issues - or lack of them . I know I'm obsessed but I need a job!! And now I'm overthinking to the point where I'm worried I'll just take the first thing I'm offered even if it's completely unsuitable, or that I've already rejected something which would be perfect for me. Gah. Jobhunting turns your head to mince!!

tell me about it hecklephone - nothing as yet- are you getting interviews?

I've had 2 interviews over the past few weeks AnOther and am crossing my fingers I at least get an interview for this latest job. It's an ego boost to know that they're interested in what I've got to offer, although apparently not enough to offer a job to yet

Also applied for another PT job yesterday - as a postie! The hours and pay seem pretty reasonable and at least you'd be getting exercise, out and about in the fresh air. I think DH thinks I'm daft but it could be a good part time option. We shall see!

That's great - I had have 2 interviews also - I think that shows we are going for the right kind of jobs, have good skills to offer and are ok at applications. I do thinks it really competative at the moment so probably at interview you are up against a few people who can do the job - so they can be more fussy than they would normally be - not much can do about it apart from prepare loads!

Gah! Just finished an online test for the postie job and got an email back saying they've had to withdraw the vacancy 'due to unforeseen circumstances'. Raaaaaaah what a waste of time. I was really starting to warm to the idea too!

My frustration is not helped by the fact I'm bored rigid today. It's wet, we've nothing to do...I'm literally checking my phone for something - anything - every five minutes. I need a job!!!

An interview!! I have an interview! Got a letter in the post today. It's at 9am on Friday week. Yikes - will have to start preparing, got lots to read to refresh my skills before then!

congrats!

Thanks! It's going to be a hectic week - dh has just had a tonsillectomy, dd1 will start p1 on Tuesday and on top of looking after everyone I'll have a lot of interview prep to do! Never mind, it's actually quite good to have something different and a bit brainy to focus on. Anything else in the offing for you AnOther?

Hi this seems to be the ideal place to help me keep up my spirits while job hunting. I've got 2 DCs 1 starting Y1 in sept and the other will be 3 later in the year. I've been a SAHM since DD2 was born and only worked short contracts after DD1 who went to a CM.

Anyway I've started looking for jobs in the last couple of weeks. Sent off about 6/8 applications thinking more about getting an interview and practising not so much focussing on getting the job but just applying for anything that my CV matches.

Last week I got a call from a recruiter who asked if i'd be interested in a job in a start up in a sector I dont really know about but a job is a job. So she called on Thurs and asked if I could go for an interview on friday.

Interview I feel went well, spoke to recruiter after and apparently "they really like you, and infact XXXX put at the bottom of his email when could you start?"
I was " well in a few weeks I've got some loose ends to sort out" ( childcare being the main one, finding a CM to take both). she then said she'd give them my reply and give me ring early in the week for more information.

Well this was on fri evening so I've spent all weekend thinking about it, havent heard anything today. So I dont know if it was serious or not
maybe they asked everyone (well all 3 people they saw) and one of them could start sooner.??!!

Anyone got any advise do you think this was serious or just recruiter BS

Hi Lookingforwork, welcome to the thread. How did you get on with your recruiters? Hear anything back again? I'm afraid I have no advice to add, have been avoiding recruiting agencies up until recently.

So I shouldn't really be posting - I should be prepping for tomorrow's interview! Just popping on to say hi and see if anyone's got any more news.

I've been simultaneously enjoying psyching myself up for potential work and embracing the idea of the job - following quickly by a healthy dollop of maternal guilt and 'maybe this is a really bad idea' thoughts. I'm so conflicted Anyway, I shall go to this interview tomorrow in the hope they'll say "Hey, fancy doing the job part-time for really good pay - pick your own hours" Likely?

Will report back in due course.

Hi Hecklephone, hope you interview goes well today, good luck !!

Emailed the recruiter on Tues to see if she'd heard anything but she said that the guy was away until Friday and would be making a decision then, so either I'll hear today or beginning of next week. Though the more I think of the interview I think its going to be a "thanks, you were really close but ....."
I just want to know now so I can get me head back into looking at other jobs.

THanks lookingforwork! That's me back from the interview. It went fine I think. I did plenty of talking! Had plenty of examples to offer for the experience-type questions and when I didn't I think I was able to talk up my skills pretty well. I just hope I didn't ramble much. The interviewer (who would also be the boss I think) seemed like a decent guy and we had a bit of light-hearted chat too, which always makes a difference I think - we were both pretty relaxed and had similar ages of children, as it turns out. Whether that will go for me or against me I don't know !

As usual I thought of a couple of things afterwards which I wish I'd said, but overall I reckon I gave a pretty good account of myself. And anyway I reckon if an interviewer wants you for a job - or not - what you actually say may not matter very much in the end.

And I know what you mean about finding out lookingforwork - I'm not going to hear for 2 weeks at least, apparently! It's too long! I need to face the decision or get it out of my head...anyway, not much I can do about that. I'm off to try and design a fast-forwarding time machine....

Ok, here goes...!!

I'm looking to move to the Stroud area asap. Need a new start, seems a great place to raise the kids. I'm a single mum of 3, (DD of 13, DS of 9 and 4)stuck on benefits and every time you go for a job and they see from your cv that you are single with kids its a no go. You can imagine the stigma attached to me :o(

When I can get to Stroud I fully intend to get a job!! I'm a qualified Teaching Assistant to Level 4, although only have one years classroom experience but am willing to train further. All 3 children will be at school, so may only need a small amount of childcare. I'd take just about anything going to be honest, my self confidence is at an all time low and I'm fed up of not being able to work. Where I'm living I've been looking for a job for over 2 years - no part time (or they don't want single mums) and full time can't find a childminder during the holidays for my elder two.

Feel like I'm in a no win situation at the moment!! However, I have faith that I will be able to find something in the Stroud area!!

Any advice anyone? Anyone in the same situation???

tinybubbles - how can they see from your CV that you are single and have kids? If you have that info on your CV take it off!

However its a tough job market at the moment and must be hard getting childcare for 3 -
I would also suggest once your kids are back at school doing some volutary work at their school or another one to get experience

Have you thought of doing some type of Direct Sales job where you work for yourself until you find or get a job?
With Christmas coming up people are always having party plan nights. I started one a year ago and LOVE it. never thought I would but with 25% - 30% I make more money now then if I work and had to pay childcare.
Just find something you like to do, have or want.

tinybluebubbles - I would try and remove anything about your personal situation from your CV - your CV should be like an advert for you - so try not to include anything that might put people off asking you for an interview. I'd go for what you've got experience in, i.e. being a TA. Can you ask around local schools if they have anything coming up? I know these roles can be very popular so personal contact is very useful. Perhaps you could just listen to children read as a volunteer to get them to know you?

My news is that I have an interview with a view to doing some freelance work for a company - I am v excited about where this could lead and it is at least a big boost to my confidence as there's nothing like wiping bums and picking cold sticky food off the floor to make you feel like you're not worth doing anything more cerebral! Will update the thread once I've had the interview :)

How are you all getting on, could do with some more success stories!

Hi thought I'd post an update. The last interview turned out to be a close no. Its a no so why did they feel the need to tell me it was close?

Anyway had another interview today and have been put forward for a 2nd interview some time in the week after next so fingers crossed xx.

Hecklephone have you heard anything uet or is it still too soon?

Hi folks, still waiting for the verdict after my interview which was Friday week ago. The waiting is driving me mad as I think I properly want the job now, even tho it's FT. I've been torturing myself all week, thinking of all sorts of things I should have said, answers I could have improved on . Don't think I'll hear anything til later in the week though, maybe even next week?? Yargh! I need to know either way!!