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Original poster

The elusive perfect job

18 replies

VaselineOnToast · 30/05/2019 13:30

Has anyone found the elusive job that:

  • fits around family/childcare
  • uses your existing qualifications/experience
  • has opportunities for progression
  • pays a fair wage in relation to the work put in
  • has fixed hours
  • allows you to earn enough to pay into a pension
  • includes benefits e.g. maternity
  • can stay confined to the workplace and does not need to be taken home
  • isn't destroying your mental health ?

If so, please can you tell me what it is and if they are looking for more employees?? I am going nuts here. Thanks!!!! Smile

OP posts:
Hollowvictory · 30/05/2019 13:32

Yes. I work in HR.

Isleepinahedgefund · 30/05/2019 13:48

I've had more than one job like this in the Civil Service.

BlitzenandMikey · 30/05/2019 14:38

Sadly not. Plenty on here will have though I am certain.

OrgasmicScalp · 30/05/2019 14:41

I can't definitely tell you you won't find it in my current area of work! Care is neither well paid or family friendly

OrgasmicScalp · 30/05/2019 14:42

I can...

HeyMicky · 30/05/2019 14:47

Client side digital marketing. I've worked for a few companies in different industries, in highly regulated, slightly backwards industries so no real innovation required.

Good pay, good benefits; I work 85% including one day at home, have just progressed to management; never think about work once I log off.

Hollowvictory · 30/05/2019 17:21

I'm quite interested in diflgi marketing what background is required for that?

HeyMicky · 31/05/2019 00:57

@Hollowvictory I have a copy writing background and migrated. You could do it with any comms or marketing degree and the right experience.

WalkAwaySugarbear · 31/05/2019 08:49

IME it's more to do with the company rather than the job. I've worked for large retailers in head office and these are much more inflexible than small family businesses.
The points you've highlighted describe where I am now but I feel they are incredibly rare companies to work for.

Nameusernameuser · 31/05/2019 08:50

All of those things except the pay and pension. However, the other things on that list mean more to me than the money.

Mnbb · 31/05/2019 08:54

I’m a civil servant. I got six months full pay maternity plus 3 months statutory maternity. I work compressed hours allowing me a day off a week with the kids. One of my days is work from home. My job is interesting and I feel I make a difference to government policy which is fulfilling. My Department puts a huge emphasis on creating an inclusive working environment and I appreciate that. I have mainly very nice colleagues. I earn £60k FTE making use of my specialist qualification.

SherlockSays · 31/05/2019 08:55

Yes, I work for an NHS organisation as a user researcher.

I love it, I do 4 days a week and work 8-4 in the office 3 days a week and a day from home (which is what I'm doing today).

It does involve a bit of trouble but DD has 2 parents so DH has to work around childcare just as much as I do.

SherlockSays · 31/05/2019 08:56

Travel not trouble!!

GrandmaSharksDentures · 31/05/2019 08:59

Yes, I'm a specialist nurse practitioner. I work 20 hrs a week - inc nights & weekends but these are easy as DH is at home. Ticks all of your boxes.

Lazypuppy · 03/06/2019 22:50

Yep, civil service. Absolutely love my job

DontPressSendTooSoon · 24/06/2019 13:04

I had one with everything but the career progression but after a few years that ate away at me and I had to leave.

It was good for a while though, ticked every other box.

herethereandeverywhere · 24/06/2019 13:20

Combining fixed hours and 'not taking work home' with fits around children/family is a tough ask.

(Though not impossible as pp prove).

I work pt for an understanding boss (working mum of 4). My official hours are 9-5 but I just get the work done with a combination of from home and office. I swap days or half days for things like sports day and may leave early but then make up for it at home when the kids are in bed. It's give and take on the flexibility front.

For me the key criteria (having been worked to breaking point in a previous job) are:

  • Control. If you can control your workload and your own way of delivering on time (so around school drop off or pick up or emergency) it's far less stressful
-Respect, autonomy and trust - I'm respected enough to assume I'll just do the job, given the autonomy to do it without being micro managed and trusted it will be done to a high standard

I was able to get a role like this off the back of my experience and reputation in my career pre-kids (non child friendly City M&A lawyer) - do you have skills and contacts you can leverage to forge your own role?

I do have childcare for school pick up and juggle camp, annual leave and support of family for school holidays. You will struggle being your own support network whatever the role.

The key is give and take. You can't expect time off for dealing with kids and not pay that back.

avalanching · 24/06/2019 13:33

Yes, mostly. Heritage sector although pay and pension not perfect (though I'm sure many would be happy with it) so I am going into the civil service in a related field that still utilises my qualifications but is a bit of a side step, and is more focussed in objectives so I'm hoping I won't be split in so many directions. I'm hoping this will get me to where I want to be, I've worked public sector mostly in the past and the pension makes up for a pay shortfall generally in my sector. Fingers crossed I've made the right move.

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