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Original poster

Anyone interested in a 'looking for work' support thread?

38 replies

BillMurrey · 08/12/2015 09:49

I've had a few months off work, but am now ready to start looking for something else. However it's been 15 years since I last filled in an application form or had an interview so I'm a little rusty to say the least.

I wondered that if anyone else is looking for a job we could help each other out with strange application questions, cv formats and (hopefully) interview prep.

I'm aiming for at least 3 applications a week. I submitted one yesterday, but fear I made a bit of a pigs ear of it, and have another one to check over and submit today.

The one yesterday was a really interesting/challenging job that I am not really experienced enough for, but feel I could definitely wing it; the money and hours were great. The one today is school hours, and not difficult but the pay is less than living wage.

Anyway, it'd be good to have some buddies along the way

OP posts:

wannaBe · 08/12/2015 10:03

On phone atm so place marking but count me in.

Been looking for work for nearly three years after being a sahm. Made more difficult by the fact I am VI so there are some jobs I can't apply for plus there is discrimination in the mix.

Original poster

BillMurrey · 08/12/2015 12:09

3 years Wanna, that's tough. So sorry you are getting discriminated against. Is that to do with your VI (Visual Impairment?) or something else in addition to?

What kind of jobs are you going for?

OP posts:

Original poster

BillMurrey · 08/12/2015 12:48

OK, second application submitted and a third requested. This one was advertised, but I had to call to get the application pack. Is that odd, or is it just me?

Anyway, I did call and had a bit of a stilted conversation with the woman. I think I was probably supposed to ask some questions but I couldn't really think of any without having read through the app pack first.

I saw another but it involved 'extensive travel' - don't think I could manage that one with the school run.

OP posts:

jclm · 14/12/2015 22:43

I am a sahm, and have been looking for work for more than two years. I've had eight interviews, and have my ninth in January. My options are limited because i want to stay local and work part time hours, so not many jobs have come up anyway. And I have very little time to do demanding applications with a toddler and 4 year old.... Excuses lol

Would be great to have a support thread as it is good to see that other mums are actually getting jobs and moving on

Tuiles · 14/12/2015 22:47

Sorry to make a marking place post, but am just off to bed. In the same kind of dilemma though.

Joopy · 14/12/2015 22:49

Me too! Looking to get back into work after 2 years being a sahm. Not sure what I want to do. I have been applying for loads of jobs but mainly get no response.
I had an interview last week which went fairly badly I should know by Wednesday if I got it.......not expecting to.

WhispersOfWickedness · 14/12/2015 22:58

Place marking, I will be back when I'm not about to fall asleep

Original poster

BillMurrey · 17/12/2015 10:46

Yay! you came!

Was starting to think I'd have to go it alone.

jclm and joopy do you get interview feedback? I'm in the same boat as you although my dc are older. I had the holy grail of jobs until recently. Great pay and school hours. I know I'm highly unlikely to get that again, but I really still need it. Dc1 has just started secondary school and I'm not keen for her to spend whole days in the holidays on her own.

I didn't mention any of this in the interview I had last week, really not sure when to bring it up tbh. Not confident of getting the job as I really don't have what they need but the interview went well and I felt very proud of myself doing a presentation etc. Will ask for honest feedback if I don't get it. Should find out tomorrow.

I still have the 3rd application to complete. Christmas and illness have got in the way, but I have a while. The closing date isn't till the middle of Jan.

OP posts:

phoenix1973 · 18/12/2015 13:58

I haven't had any more work since October this year and am in the same position of looking for part time work within school hours.
Up until September I worked part time school hours and used a holiday club during school holidays. It worked fine but then my role was moved 2 hours drive away so I chose to leave as I didn't want to drive as would not have been able to make the school runs!
It's not easy but if we all check in and update each other with our efforts it can help!

MissTriggs · 18/12/2015 14:14

" I had the holy grail of jobs until recently. Great pay and school hours."

similar problem here - I've been paid a retainer to work in my PJs for a decade but now the company has been sold....

I have other work but miss the security of the retainer and am in a total dilemma about whether I should get back into the rat-race ... and indeed how to get back into the rat-race given that I've been working at a senior level part time for a decade - hard for some to understand as I don't fit in their hierarchies.

Original poster

BillMurrey · 18/12/2015 22:06

Well, I didn't get the job. I knew I didn't really have the experience, but was hoping no one else did either . Anyway, they were very nice about it and have offered me some voluntary work to help develop my skills. I'm going to chat to them about it, but am already doing voluntary work to keep my hand in so not sure how that will work.

I have an interview for another job in early Jan which is just an admin job on slightly over minimum wage. The interview involves a 'small test' - anyone any ideas what that might be? I'm going to be in the opposite position with this job as I'll be overqualified, but it's school hours so will take it if I get it.

I'm cat-sitting for a neighbor at the moment and was wondering if there might be any mileage in that as a business - what do you think? It would have to be just cats, guinea pigs and fish though, I'm rubbish with all other animals. Going to do a bit of research tonight about that.

OP posts:

Shakey15000 · 18/12/2015 22:13

I've been looking since Sept, similarly rusty and boy, what an eye opener it's been.

Countless applications made and out of that, I'm lucky if I get an email acknowledging my application, never mind a "we've had a gander at your CV and it doesn't match our criteria so won't be taking it any further".

Add to that, I had an interview on 23rd Nov and STILL haven't heard if I've been successful . If I could reveal who it was for you would be staggered at the hypocrisy!

So, disillusioned isn't in it. Sigh.

Original poster

BillMurrey · 18/12/2015 22:24

Shakey that's rubbish - have they not been in touch or just not made a decision? That happened to DH once, they eventually decided they couldn't afford to recruit anyone at all

OP posts:

EvaBING · 18/12/2015 22:30

*Plops myself firmly down on a chair.

**Whilst trying to look fresh and unexhausted!

No point in me looking a week before Christmas, but will be taking the bull by the horns in the new year!

Shakey15000 · 18/12/2015 22:54

Not sure about current admin tests I'm afraid

Ref my application- I had an email on 30th Nov saying that feedback and candidate positions would be posted onto the online portal/account doobrie whatsit within "the next 7-10 days, so keep checking". By my reckoning that ran out last Friday and my online status is unchanged. Tried emailing but got an undeliverable. Pfft.

anneyaramis · 21/12/2015 16:47

I would like to join please. I have been looking for about 4 weeks when my last contract ended. I work in admin too. So far I have had:-

two telephone interviews with the corporate office of a big company. I have been invited for third interview for a whole day with four directors but am waiting for a date in the new year. HR told me that there are other candidates further along the process though which means they might offer elsewhere. A little bitter about that.

have had a second interview for a role I desperately want. I rarely really want a job but am waiting to hear. Both interviews went really well and I really liked the Director I would work for and love the organisation. It's a large pay decrease but still ok. I have been waiting for them to call all bloody day!

Good luck everyone.

ApocalypseNowt · 21/12/2015 17:09

Making place. I will be back later!

Shakey15000 · 22/12/2015 13:18

Did you hear anne?

Still not heard from the one I had an interview for. I haven't even got a contact number to ring , it's all web based seemingly.

Had an invite to interview tomorrow morning

Took a sneaky peek at their website, which is riddled with spelling errors. Sigh.

anneyaramis · 22/12/2015 13:24

Just heard I didn't get it. I have had a cry. I don't think I have ever wanted a job so much and I have never been turned down for an job that I have wanted ever so it is a bitter pill.

Tbh I was taking a £10k decrease for the role which DH wasn't massively pleased about so maybe it is a blessing. I do like to think things happen for a reason.

I have this morning been offered an interview for a company I would like to work for in the new year so that is good to balance it.

Good luck and I hope you hear before Christmas, it would be rubbish if you have to wait.

Shakey15000 · 22/12/2015 13:30

Oh bugger. Have some

I agree with the "everything happens for a reason". I just think the fates haven't decided what to do with me yet wish they's bloody hurry up

I'm not used to rejection work wise either. It's harsh! Mind you, last time I was applying was when it was etiquette to, you know, get back to people

Lunaballoon · 22/12/2015 13:46

Can I join too? I've been looking for work since the summer but the biggest disappointment by far has been the charity sector. I've applied for several advertised voluntary positions, all unpaid, with the aim of supporting good causes and broadening my experience along the way. Only one bothered to reply.

anneyaramis · 22/12/2015 13:56

I have officially run out of money and DH not being that supportive because I did voluntarily give up a well paid, good perm role because I didn't like it.

mumofthemonsters808 · 22/12/2015 14:06

I'll join please, it's one of my goals for 2016. I can't face another year of not working and we too have run out of money. Since September, I've had two unsuccessful interview out of lots of applications. I really wanted one of the jobs and was so disappointed to not get it. I keep telling myself there is something out there with my name on it.

anneyaramis · 22/12/2015 16:10

Just heard that the third interview I was supposed to have for a role now won't be happening as they already offered. FFS. Only one interview now.

Boxing Day I will be back on it .

shakey any news???

youonlydoitonce · 23/12/2015 12:52

Reassuring to see so many others in the same boat, been looking since October, last worked 4 years ago. I have had 3 interviews and twice the reason for not getting the job boils down to hours, they want full days and I can only do one full day and 4 school hour days. I have an interview on 29thbut they have only put negotiable for the wage.... I have only ever had one interview where I didn't get the job so I too am not used to this rejection, I had a little cry on the last one as I had practically been promised it by the agency. Fingers crossed for the next one.

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