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Original poster

I can't even get an interview

32 replies

MrsReacher85 · 06/06/2017 19:06

I've not really worked since having my DS, 4.5 years ago. I've also now got DD, 15 months, and I'm desperately trying to get back to work. I've got an undergraduate degree and a masters from a good university, a few years work experience after that and have worked constantly since being 14.

I cannot get an interview anywhere and I'm starting to feel like I might as well have just had the kids when I was 18, and never mind all that education! Am I doing something wrong or is it just the years off work that are putting employers off?

I'm finding it really hard, it's destroying my confidence, which was never high anyway. All my friends seem to have amazing jobs and are moving up, and I'm stuck.

OP posts:
OurMiracle1106 · 06/06/2017 19:08

Just a suggestion have you tried temping? I left a corporate role and temped for a well known agency and was in Feb offered a permanent contract in the same role

OurMiracle1106 · 06/06/2017 19:09

I also had a lot of time out of work. So maybe volunteering to get recent experience on your cv

BritInUS1 · 06/06/2017 19:10

What industry are you in?

Are you trying to get back in at the same level as when you left?

QuiteLikely5 · 06/06/2017 19:10

What area of work is it? Are your degrees relevant

MumUndone · 06/06/2017 19:11

I agree - temping or contract roles can be a good place to start. You may need to look for a more junior position than the one you were last in.

MyCalmX · 06/06/2017 19:11

Definitely do some temping to get updated experience on your CV. In my industry with 4.5 years out we wouldn't even finish reading your CV after seeing that.

Original poster
MrsReacher85 · 06/06/2017 19:19

Temping is really difficult for me, as my DD doesn't yet attend nursery and I can't afford for her to go if I'm not working. It takes time for me to get her settled and booked in, so short notice work is hard.

I'm not trying at the same level, I'm applying for basically everything! My degrees are history and Law. I'm not a qualified solicitor, but looking at paralegal, legal sec etc in that area.

I did do an admin role for a little while, but fell pregnant while employed and didn't go back after mat leave. I've been leaving it off my CV as I didn't think it looked very good, and I don't want to back to that type of role as it wasn't leading anywhere better. Do you think I should put it back on?

Thank you for all comments, it's really helpful.

OP posts:
Winterflower84 · 06/06/2017 19:42

You are not alone. I have a one-year gap since my last job, a Master's Degree from a good UK uni, quite a long experience in my industry (media) but still don't get an interview. I think my problem is not the gap as much as the fact that I am not a native English speaker and media is possibly the only industry where being a native speaker is almost a must as it is so heavily based on language skills. However, I'm married to a Brit and we are going to live here in the foreseeable future so I have no option but keep trying. Just before reading your post i received another rejection.:(

Original poster
MrsReacher85 · 06/06/2017 19:46

Winter if you hasn't said so, I would never have known that you weren't a native speaker! Can you basically hide that fact on your applications? Just so that you can meet them and impress with your language skills! I'm sure you've thought of that though.

It really is hard, spending so long on applications to get nothing back.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsReacher85 · 06/06/2017 19:52

*hadn't said so

Damn typos!

OP posts:
Winterflower84 · 06/06/2017 22:01

MrsReacher your reply is very encouraging, thank you!
Re your question - usually I cannot hide that fact as in most cases they ask for visa information right from the beginning (if applicable), plus most of my work experience comes from another country.

I am considering two strategies now: 1. Identifying the companies I would like to work for and emailing them directly with no job having been advertised. It is highly unlikely that I will get many responses but I want to try. 2. Using career consultants'' services. They cost money but hopefully it will be rewarded!

It is hard indeed and absolutely exhausting!

CVsEtc · 07/06/2017 00:08

Hello! MrsReacher it's all about how you present your skills and experience on your CV / application form / covering letter.

Are you tailoring your applications to each role? It's better to just apply for a small number of roles and really think about each one - what are they looking for and how do you fit that?

Btw - if you're applying for paralegal stuff then maybe some of the stuff you did in your recent admin role could be relevant?

CVsEtc · 07/06/2017 00:11

Winterflower and MrsReacher - can you contact any of the places you've already applied and ask what you could have done differently to get an interview?

Also can you ask anyone you know in the industries / good at recruitment stuff to have a look at your applications and give you some feedback / advice?

SettlingOrLucky · 07/06/2017 00:14

You're not alone. I am trying to stay positive but I can only control my own mindset. I can't control employers around me. I do lack confidence but only in my ability to GET a job, if I could get one I know I would be a good employee. I've been out of the work place longer although recently I have worked but then I was made redundant. Recruitment agents are useless. I already do what's suggested (ie, tailoring a cv for each application). It is so hard.

Original poster
MrsReacher85 · 07/06/2017 08:24

Thank you for all the replies, it's helpful to know that I'm not alone!

I am trying to tailor my applications, and I think that's part of why it's so depressing to get nowhere, having spent so long on it.

I've asked a friend to look at my CV and applications, but will do so again, maybe a different friend!

Thank you for the advice and support. I hope everyone finds wonderful jobs soon!

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsReacher85 · 07/06/2017 08:24

Forgot to add- i have asked for feedback but been given generic answers about people with more experience

OP posts:
ssd · 07/06/2017 08:36

It really sounds like you are doing all you can and you just haven't been lucky yet.

CaulkheadUpNorf · 07/06/2017 08:42

Is there any volunteering you can do which would help? I imagine if it was regular then you'd know nursery days for your DD.

I've always gone with the "get any job and then apply from there type thing". Is that an option? I'm aware retail and hospitality have shifts so that might not work for you.

Any local universities? Ours have huge amounts of admin roles and some within the legal side i.e. Compliance and appeals.

emilycrosby · 07/06/2017 10:12

When I was looking to get back to work I started out volunteering doing admin jobs for a local business (which was great cos I could work from home and look after my little ones) so that could be a good inning for you. It really helped to build up my CV before I started to apply for jobs.

I also tried a website called DYWAJ to upload my CV and they found me interviews which really helped to boost my confidence Smile Definitely worth a try!

blueshoes · 07/06/2017 11:18

OP, with your background and law degree, have you considered compliance, particularly in anti-money laundering. You can start in a junior admin role and build up a career track from there. Banks are crying out for people in those roles. Law firms also hire for those roles. They are much better than paralegal roles which IMO lead nowhere and are highly competitive.

Legal secretaries are a dying breed and there is a lot of flux. In big law firms, unless you work for a senior lawyer, you may end up working for 8 lawyers doing more PA-type role like arranging travel, claiming expenses, photocopying, printing and typing.

Try to get do a junior maternity cover AML job. Even though it is for 6 months to a year, you should not have a problem getting a more permanent position after that. Your law degree, analytical skills and admin experience is your USP.

Are you in London or outside.

user1495915742 · 07/06/2017 19:17

Agree with blueshoes. Also, what about going the Company Sec route?

Don't bother with Legal Sec, PA or admin roles. Very few jobs around these days and they are generally supporting too many people to make it a pleasant experience. They are also the road to nowhere.

Original poster
MrsReacher85 · 08/06/2017 21:50

blueshoes Thank you for the suggestion, I'll look into it. I'm in Yorkshire, so I'm not sure how many of those types of roles there are but I will definitely have a look.

At this point, I can't afford to volunteer and pay for childcare.

OP posts:
Believeitornot · 08/06/2017 21:53

Put the admin role on the cv. Any recent experience is better than none

Original poster
MrsReacher85 · 08/06/2017 21:55

Thank you, I've started doing that tonight as having thought about it, I agree!

OP posts:
Crumbs1 · 08/06/2017 21:56

Where are you, what are your salary expectations and could you go away overnight occasionally?

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