Can someone reccomend a course I could do, to get a job like this one

[CrackerOfNuts]

Here

I would love to be able to apply for that job. The hours, location and everything are perfect.

I have no qualifications to speak of, although I am looking into doing a couple of clait units.

Can anyone who works in this type of job tell me which qualifications would be best.

Thanks

Do you have a local college of further education / technical college nearby?

They often run access courses which are aimed at women returning to work or who have perhaps never worked and want to learn some skills. There are usually courses available in Business Administration which would inlcude the kind of skills required in that job description.

Courses are usually free for people on benefits / low income.

If not ask at your local job centre to see if they have details of anything similar.

Thanks frayedknot. My local college does do access courses but they are all access to teaching/nursing etc, nothing general.

My local adult education centre is running the clait modules, so I have picked 2 of those, which I can hopefully start after easter, and those would cover what is being asked for in that ad, so thats a start.

I did think of applying actually, but I wouldn't get to interview would I.

I am familiar with evereything that they mentioned, except for excel really. I know what it is, but haven't really used it.

If your familiar with everything except excel then apply. Excel is pretty straight forward and you can pick up the basics from a training manual until your course starts.

learndirect do computer and admin courses, plus you can do the course when it suits you

Apply anyway. It gets your name in the loop and it may not be everyones idea job.

you have nothing to lose by filling in the form.

I would definitely apply - you have nothing to lose, and IME as a manager, I sometimes make appointments because someone 'fits' the team and I know that they're the right person even if they don't tick all the boxes straight away. Frayedknot has good advice on courses, and if you show a willingness to train, then that counts for a lot. If you get an interview, it's fantastic experience, even if you don't get offered the job. The only thing is, a term time only job on these hours is the kind of thing a lot of women dream of, so you may have a lot of competition. One piece of advice - if you put in an application, then you can ask for feedback whether you get as far as an interview or not. That's often the most helpful thing of all for the future. Be really specific - ask what else you could have done to put you in a better position, because remember, other opportunities will come up in the future.

Thanks, I will apply then anyway.

Could you maybe do your ECDL, some time you can do it free online through the library.

I have just advertised a similar job and candidates with the ECDL scored more at shortlisting.

I have to say the most important thing to me is that they are friendly, cheerrful and approachable but it can be hard to properly evidence that in an application really.

Some info here learning I assume you are in Birmingham.

Thanks Seb, not seen that before, will have a good read of it now.

I do know someone who managed to get a school office job with virtually no experiance or qualifications but even she said that she was extremely lucky to do so.

You also may find courses on here Learndirect

Message withdrawn

Good luck. Jobs like that usually get lots of applicants. I used to do 20 hours a week admin for a school catering department, term time only.

When I left and it was advertised we had around 50 calls for the application form and about 20-25 applications.

The Head's PA jobs got over 100 calls. No idea how many applied though.

I am currently doing the ECDL course and think it is quite good, (however it is costing me £265 as I am not on benefits!). However, my tutor did tell me about a brilliant on-line site where you can basically learn the course, but just can't take the exams. You can also do touch typing on it which I think is extremely useful, even though it does take a while to learn at least it shows you are actively trying to achieve the required skills.

In your situation I would either buy some specific books on Excel, Word etc. and learn what you can, or go on here. Definitely apply.

I am just in the process of applying for a job after 8.5years maternity leave - definitely scary stuff!!

Work experience is more important than qualifications when applying for this type of job. If you apply and are unsuccessful I would ask if you could do a months unpaid work experience. A general office skills type qualification will always prove useful too.

tbh nutty, if you have the experience, you don't need quals- you need to see the person spec though to tell you what they're after, and it isn't online, so that means ringing up for it.

With the council jobs, you have to go through the app form, and make sure you match every point on the person spec- if you evidence it in the application, they have to give you an interview.

Of course, if you don't meet the requirements, this doesn't help, I realise!

For the last post I advertised similar to this one (BCC too, though central not school based) I had 145 applicants!!!

School based ones are extremely popular- especially with hours like that one, as you can do school drop-off first.

Don't let that put you off though- over 1/2 the apps I had went straight into reject pile as the people did not in any way match/meet what we'd asked for.