It shouldn't be this hard to get a job.

[Changemyname18]

Hello, looking for support and advice. I returned to work this year after 7 years being a full time mum. I'm mid 40s, solid school results, redbrick 2:1 degree in a traditional subject, then worked for big 4 accountancy firms for 16 years. Never completed chartered exams, opted for different department which suited me better. I was at the top of my grade, and happy with my lot, because of the people I worked with and the work flexibility. Didn't go back after 2nd child, as childcare was logistically impossible due to the demands of my husband's employment. I enjoyed my time at home, and did lots of school and other volunteering when both kids at school. I got an admin job at the start of this year, found the work straightforward, but the team were great. Really felt like I proved I could still do work. I worked hard and got great feedback. But I couldn't stay there, as i need term timd only. But I've now been applying for roles in admin in schools, wanting term time work, and I'm not getting anywhere. I get interviews, but feedback has been 'you are over qualified', 'you don't fit with our school profile, 'we have a candidate who is a better fit for our school, we have filled the space internally', 'you've never used SIMS'... What else can I do to persuade somewhere to employ me? I pick up computer systems quickly, SIMS can't be that hard. Running out of Sept start opportunities. How did the rest of you get that elusive term time job? Apologies for long post, didn't mean to rant this much.

Agree that the 7 year gap plus short stay at latest job looks bad. That plus not needing the work makes you sound like someone who will drop out if things get hard Vs someone who really needs the work - and likely has more experience too.

Your friends are saying nice things, but I think that it's probably in the same way that they'd tell you a guy who broken up with you was intimidated by your brains and charm - it might be true, but more likely that they are finding the nicest not most likely reason.

This doesn't mean you can't get a job, but like others said you'll have to be really patient and realistic. Could you look at a part time admin job that would still give you time off in the holidays? Or have you registered with any temp agencies? Then you could pick and choose a bit more about when you take on contracts.

can you find a school/college bursar job? or dont they have those?
work for the council, in education, they often have term time only jobs?

do you volunteer in a school op?

I know it's been mentioned up thread, but I work for a trust that has several secondary and primary schools. None of the Admin Staff are TTO. School business managers are becoming more and more popular now, where your accountancy skills would come into play, but again - not TTO. You would have no problem taking your holidays in term time however. Have you considered something student/pupil facing? Such as Learning Support or in class TA? This would give you the Holiday flexibility you require. You could think about doing this voluntarily to see if you are cut out for it. There are generally jobs available at an entry level where you can then work your way towards qualifications.

I work in secondary school admin TTO. I'm hugely overqualified too. Virtually all of us got a foot in the door at this school before getting the job, governor, TA, volunteer etc. Schools are very cautious with admin recruitment IME because a wrong appointment can be a PR disaster when admin are the first contact people have with the school. But apart from that, you are probably not doing anything wrong just that these jobs are so competitive. Also you say about using your skills but you must be prepared to turn your hand to anything, that includes clearing up vomit and worse, manning gates, running dozens of messages around the school, but the variety is great fun. Good luck. Oh, and, what schools really want is people who love kids and have a warmth about them, and feel a sense of moral purpose in working in education. So make sure that comes across at interview, also do your homework about the actual school.

OP, you are in competition with thousands and thousands of other parents who want the same hours.

I used to work evenings in a Call Centre when my children were young - 6pm until midnight. I did it for about 10 years. It worked brilliantly and I got a few promotions. I also did a few cleaning jobs when they were at school - I found a posh area near us and got work through recommendations.

Seems a million years ago now ........

Can't your self employed husband help with holiday childcare if you're so opposed to outside childcare? I work part time and have fairly generous annual leave. I split holiday childcare with my dp and whilst we do occasionally use the holiday club for odd days (4 days booked over this year's summer holidays) we could probably cover it entirely without this.
Term time only working on higher salary bands is a rare beast, especially if you aren't even working a FT week during term time. I'd widen your options to employers who offer flexitime / allow to buy extra leave days etc. Or a job that might allow a bit of working from home - if this would be feasible depending on the age of your DC

I think if you aren’t being offered any jobs, you need to volunteer in a school and try that route.

I tried to get a job after 20 years as a sahm and now into my 50’s found it hard. So I targeted what I wanted to do - admin, public sector especially nhs or local council, and volunteered in a hospital doing an admin role for 6 months. I got offered the 4th job I interviewed for and starting soon. (If this sounds familiar, I’ve told this story on a few threads as I’m still so bloody chuffed about it .)

So volunteer....in a role as close to your chosen job as you can manage to get.

Go to an agency, and temp, i did that for years.

Term time jobs are like hens teeth and when they do come up there's fierce competition. Try looking at local authority admin jobs, they may not be advertised specifically as term time but you may be able to apply on a flexible working arrangement. Also maybe consider temping through an agency, you could just tell them you're not available for bookings over school holidays.

x-post with slarty!

I got a temporary job in a school. The job was then made permanent and I applied and got it. Like you, I am hugely over qualified for the role but I did have a lot of admin experience and I was able to convince them I was committed to the job and the school. I work full time TTO. Our finance staff are also TTO.

Where I work, we are finding it nearly impossible to get cover supervisors. A superb job if you want to see how teaching would suit you before embarking on all the training. Uses your brains, builds character, busy, challenging. If you are anywhere near me we would snap you up in a second!

You sound quite arrogant and the interviewers will be able to see this.

7 years is a very long time to be out of work and will not be making you look favourable.

Definitely rabbit. I forgot about cover supervisors!

I have set up freelance, so I can choose when not to work.

Will be on holiday for 3 out of the 6 weeks summer holiday

Could your job be done on a free lance basis?

Your apparent lack of flexibility (and lets be honest, pickiness), would put me off as an employer. I've had members of staff previously who dont need to work and want something to fit around their hectic personal schedule, and it never ends well.

Terms time jobs are like gold dust, too many higher educated mums wanting to do a fulfilling term time only job...

I would be scaling down my CV also. Good luck

If you don't need the money do term time only voluntary work.

I volunteered the whole time I was off with my children and did a little paid work when I could. I took Business Admin qualifications so I would have something current on my CV.
Eventually one of my training roles led to the offer of a zero hours contract. Then I was an internal candidate for a part time role, which means I work school holidays but am able to do the school runs every day - that was my compromise.
You have to persist, get lots of current workplace experience (paid or not) wherever you can and use the fact you don't need the money to find volunteering roles which may meet your need to stretch your brain and play the long game. I had 4 years of active job hunting and it was soul destroying.

Desperately competitive to get in-school jobs, look outside this sector.

You do sound very self-important. And not really that bothered about working at all. Maybe self-employment would suit you? Small charities are crying out for someone to volunteer to manage their websites. Could do that for a year to build skills at CSS/web design/data management/Python/SqL etc.,, and later you turn to free lance paid work that fit your lifestyle desires.

I have a PhD in science subject & had 12 yrs experience in research. My first job after 8 yrs SAH was as a dinner lady. Admin jobs wouldn't even give me an interview guess it's the lack of redbrick on my cv so I suppose you beat me there. Finally I moved into a very junior science position before accelerating back up to roles similar to what I did before (still not anywhere near my old pay grade, though). I wanted to see less of my children, though, so not as picky as OP.

I've know people who had school-hours-only admin jobs with NHS, universities, colleges, private schools, medical reception, shops, small businesses. Especially if you can work a bit from home during school hols.

Short stay was due to the role being maternity cover. Seemed a good way to get back into the workplace to see how it fitted with family

You are being too picky

The 7 year gap is a concern. But you are limiting yourselves to just term time,when those jobs are rare and likely go to candidates who fully fit the spec and have recent experience

do you not have any relatives who could do the child care op?