Applying for jobs with less responsibility/less pay

[Richtea67]

Hi all, some advice around this would be much appreciated. I have worked as a health care professional in the NHS for coming on 20 years now. I have worked my way up to quite a high level...but have had enough and am nearly at burn out. I have been managing a long term health condition and have 2 young children (one has SEN with challenging behaviour). I have cut my hours right back, but the job is still so stressful on my working days it's having such a negative impact on my physical and mental health.

What I would really love to do is go for jobs with fewer responsibilities, which would mean a significant pay cut (which is affordable). I'm not sure what, perhaps still in NHS in a support role, or something totally different.

My question is how to put this across in a positive light in my application and in interviews? I'm not sure the truth would look very positive! And I don't really want to disclose the health related reasons. I just think an employer would look at my application and not think I was taking the position seriously. Has anyone done similar, or any employers that have any advice? TIA

Can I just say jobs with less responsibility than you're used to can be very frustrating if you are used to having a a level of authority.

If you go for "simpler" jobs don't even mention that you are overqualified and over experienced. Just talk about the new job and how you would approach the work itself. Whenever people say they didn't get a job because they were overqualified ... that is rarely the issue.

Several of the the people working at our local Tesco are ex teachers, some have masters degrees and all sorts of achievements. Suits their time of life and they appreciate the cameraderie (and staff discount)

Can I just say jobs with less responsibility than you're used to can be very frustrating if you are used to having a a level of authority.

This is what I was going to say. It often brings a significant level of stress to do this and can be damaging to mental health and self-esteem in its own way. Don't underestimate how much of your identity and self-esteem is tied up in your current role and status, even if it's not something you consciously contemplate.

Fewer responsibilities means less control and autonomy - which are key causes of workplace stress.

What specifically causes your stress in your current role? I think it would be helpful to pin this down for yourself and then evaluate potential alternative roles considering the balance between reducing your existing stress factors versus replacing them with new stress factors.

The HSE has a lot of resources about managing workplace stress that might help you in evaluating the way forward.

Is any form of self-employment a possibility? I've seen a few people do that when exiting NHS after a long spell like you.

Also, forgot to say, have you thought about where you might need/want to be 5-10 years down the line? Be careful you don't box yourself into a place where you can't move on to other things as your life changes and your children grow up.

Could you take an unpaid career break instead, then if you decide to go for something less senior it would be more believable.

Could say work / life balance if asked at interview without going into detail maybe