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.

The problem will be is that you did go back to work and then resigned really quickly. So actually you just look a bit flakey.

I suspect one of the major issues is that you want term time only. You need to target employers where this is the norm or at least an accepted way of working.

The fact you're 'over-qualified' will only be an issue if it looks like you're going to bugger off to a 'better' job after a very short period of time. You need to find a way of explaining that that isn't going to happen.

I know it's not helpful to you or a popular view on here but this is why women need to be very careful when completely giving up work for a long period of time.... especially if you eventually have plans to return. The labour market doesn't stay static and skills become outdated very, very quickly.

I am a part-time administrator. I had a break for 7 years till youngest DD went to school, I would love a TTO job but as others have said they are near impossible to get. All my previous work experience is in administration. I was very lucky to get a school hours job in my local village so can drop DC at school & pick them up. The only downside is I do have to work in the school holidays, but the job is flexible and they let me take extra days off & make the time up in term time. My DH has to take 1 days holiday a week to look after the DC in the school holidays & the other day they go to grandparents. I would love to be off all of the holidays but feel lucky to have a flexible part time job. We definitely need the extra money my job brings in but I think it’s harder to be flexible when you don’t actually need to work.

Universities off term time roles. Try them if you live near one.

SIMS can't be that hard

this attitude could be part of the problem.

University admin roles are difficult to do term time only - that's their busiest time!!

your main problem is how many teachers have walked out of teaching. You are completing against literally thousands and thousands of ex teachers who are competent on SIMS, familiar with school culture, and can stand in in a class in an emergency.

I work in HR in a school, and most of our admin/support roles are not TTO. Schools just can’t stop now for 6 weeks in the summer and there’s a lot that needs to happen to prepare for termtime.
For all the roles we recruit to, I’m looking for someone who genuinely wants to work in education, not someone who is only interested because of the hours/location etc. So if you get an interview, do your homework, find out everything about the school, its recent events, results - and demonstrate that you’re someone who will really add to the organisation. Use all your experience to show how it gives you skills that will transfer smoothly. Be interested, show flexibility and be really warm about the school.

www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk/2-x-beanstalk-coordinator-roles-south-east

Try civil service jobs, most will say part time as an option- and they do allow term time working.

I'd be cautious of how you are coming across in interviews. I've sat in a fair few where the feedback has been "you're over qualified" when in fact that's just a nicer way of saying "you think you are too good for this job, won't fit in and probably leave in 3 months as you're bored"

I work for a company who have term time roles, I have messaged you directly but if anyone else is interested, have a look at the careers page or feel free to message me.

www.gl-assessment.co.uk/careers

Dinner lady. TTO.

Dinner lady. TTO.

Dinner lady. TTO.

Have you looked into any work from home opportunities there are lots out there now and it sounds like you have lots of skills which would help you to make a success of it. I work around my children with my Usborne Books business (my children are 7,5 and 3) and it’s worked well and it’s meant I’ve been able to gain lots of books for my kids too.
These kind of jobs are becoming more and more people wanting to work more flexibly around their families.

Yes, try universities. I work p/t in one but with their generous leave and flexi working I get most of the school holidays off. A lot of my colleagues are either p/t or TTO.

Some other posters have picked up on the 'ego' (as MaybeDoctor puts it) that comes across in your posts. I agree. There is a sense in your posts of - not quite sure how to put this - being used to getting what you want, and being a little surprised that the world isn't falling into line with your wishes. I wouldn't be employing someone I sensed this attitude from, either. I think what you seem to be forgetting is that, while you are pursuing your interests in this (to which you obviously have every right), the employer side is also pursuing theirs, and it's rarely going to be in their interests to employ someone who is clearly only in it for the hours/conditions, who may well take off when those conditions change or she finds something she deems better, and who appears (however subtly) to be of the view that they should be grateful to have her and snap her up. In the final analysis, if your interests do not meet with the employer's, you won't get the job. Your options are to persist or rethink (and it's interesting you are not responding to people's suggestions of getting a foot in the door, e.g. as a lunchtime supervisor, and (as it were) working your way up.

Your mistake is assuming that an admin job is basic and just waiting for someone really experienced to come along and do the employer a favour taking on the role. In reality it’s actually a reasonably demanding role and as an employer, when you get 30/40/50 applicants for a role and 15 of them have already got admin experience then why would you interview the people who haven’t. You need someone to hit the ground running. I’ll be honest, I’m extremely unlikely to interview someone with a big 4 background as I’ll always get a load of applications from experienced administrators