Hi Everyone,
This is my first post on Mumsnet so hope I am doing it right!
I have worked for the police for five and a half years in a specialist investigations team. I left last July having burnt out from the amount of work, how often I was late off and the poor pay. I had a few weeks of sick with stress and managed to find a new job pretty quickly. I probably could have stayed off sick for longer and been pickier about new jobs in hindsight but I wasn't feeling very well mentally at the time and didn't want to be off sick long term.
I have since started as a Safeguarding Officer in a school. Everyone I work with is really friendly and the kids are lovely too.
However, the role was not as expected. There is not much responsibility and career-wise I cannot see where this can go. The pay is also not that great. Only teaching staff seem to become middle/senior leadership. I have also realised how much responsibility and experience I have gained from working with the Police which I am not utilising. I also miss being able to pick up/drop off my daughter from the school gate on some days.
I have applied for two new roles with different organisations and I am worried about how I will be able to get time off for interviews. As I work in a school I do not have annual leave but instead, have all the school holidays off. I will have to ask for leave during term time for any interviews which will be awkward. I don't want to say that I am sick or have a doctor's appointment.
Also some of the roles I am applying for request references once they have been shortlisted (before the interview). What if they ask my current employer for a reference but I don't get the job? Won't this make it awkward?
Thanks in advance for any advice!