God, I’m so pathetically proud of myself.

[JenniferJupiterr]

And it is a bit pathetic as you’ll see when you read on!

I applied for and got a job in the Civil Service - something I never thought I’d have a chance of getting. And I nearly didn’t apply for because one of the essential criteria was ‘competent in Microsoft 365.’

Well, one of the things I’m absolutely not competent in is Microsoft anything. I’m ashamed to say I’ve never ever opened up Excel or Word - and this is despite me running my own business! (I hasten to add I had a business partner who did all that stuff!) … and because I’m in my 50s I genuinely thought I wouldn’t ever trouble myself with this stuff. I find it terrifying and confusing so always have sought to avoid it.

Anyway, this job is something I really wanted to go for, it’s really interesting so I had to overcome my many years ingrained fear

But I’ve done it. I’ve spent the past few weeks teaching myself all things Microsoft 365. I can create a spreadsheet, I can format it. I can filter it. I can open word and create and save a document. I can create meetings in Teams via Outlook calendar

I appreciate it’s very embarrassing and the achievements of a 5 year old and most of the people I’ve told have laughed hysterically but meh… an achievement is an achievement right?!

There is absolutely nothing pathetic about this. You should be HUGELY proud of yourself. You had a goal, you accomplished it, and it led you to be able to fulfill a desire, and get what I hope will be a lovely job! Congratulations!!!!

@CautiousLurker2. I’m already in the Civil Service (manage to swerve Microsoft apps obvs!) and you’d be surprised how age just isn’t a factor.

The majority of roles advertised use blind applying so details such as your age do not come up. Keep an eye on ‘Civil Service jobs’ and apply for anything that takes your fancy and that you feel you could have a stab at. I tend to filter ‘working from home’ jobs - with the role I’ve just got , it’s just one day a week in the office and two days from home (I cheekily requested part time hours)

My current job is fully remote but involves driving to interview people but I set my own diary. So these roles are out there for sure so always keep a look out.

There’s a very specific formula for passing Civil Service interviews and basically, once you learn that, it’s quite easy. Drop me a line if you ever go for it

@JenniferJupiterr I will DM if you don’t mind? Just finishing a PhD and my youngest is starting uni in September. Am very keen to get back to work and be useful - ran my own business when the kids were younger, was in ‘the city’ before kids and been a volunteer youth leader (Guides and Scouts, district commissioner etc) so know I have [rusty] skills and a need to feel useful - any advice/tips on navigating the CS screening and interviews would be very welcome! A CPS job would actually really suit me - have degrees in law and psychology and my PhD is in crime fiction (🤦🏽‍♀️) so I’d find it fascinating!!

I don’t mean to be patronising but it can be harder to pick up computer skills when you’re a bit older and haven’t grown up with them so well done. Congrats on your new role!

You should be beyond proud!! Congratulations so so much op! You don’t have to say but can I ask what course you used? (Used to work in an office but in retail the last few years and need to reacquaint myself/ smush anything office related into my head!!)

You should be proud of yourself - that's an achievement

I've only recently learned how to type a μ symbol on my Windows laptop without copying and pasting from the Internet

I'm ridiculously pleased with myself

@CautiousLurker2. Do feel free. They are not like normal interviews,‘they’re very specific but they honestly osa good thing once you’ve ‘cracked’ how to answer the questions!

And it sounds like you definitely have a lot to offer

@Morepositivemum. Well that’s the thing. I couldn’t find a course that suited me. I needed to start from ‘show me how to locate Word’ and ‘where do I click to send a Teams invite on Outlook’ - that’s genuinely my starting point

So I asked ChatGPT to assist me. Told it exactly what I wanted and how I need it to be structured. I then went ‘behind it’ with Google etc to ensure the information id been given was spot on (it was!) .. here’s my programme that I requested and fine tuned an err yeah …. It’s basic!

🗓️ 2-Week Microsoft 365 Learning Plan

Day 1 – Outlook Basics (Email Confidence)
• Inbox layout ✅
• Reading & replying ✅
• CC / BCC ✅
• Flagging emails ✅
. Mark email as read / unread ✅
. Use folders/ create a folder ✅
. Move an email into it ✅

Day 2 – Outlook Calendar & Organisation
• Creating meetings ✅
• Accepting invites ✅
• Adding notes ✅
• Categories ✅

Day 3 – Word Basics
• Typing & editing✅
• Bold, bullet points, headings✅
• Saving documents✅

Day 4 – Word (Real Office Skills)
• Copy & paste ✅
• Formatting documents ✅
• Using templates ✅
• Save as PDF✅

Day 5 – Excel Basics (No Fear Day)
• Rows & columns✅
• Entering data✅
• Basic sum (=SUM)✅
• Adjusting columns✅

Day 6 – Excel (Useful Skills)
• Sorting (A–Z)✅
• Filters✅
• Basic formatting✅

Day 7 – OneDrive & SharePoint
• OneDrive vs SharePoint✅
• Saving & opening files✅
• Uploading & organising✅

⸻

Day 8 – Teams Basics
• Chat vs Channels ✅
• Sending messages ✅
• Replying in threads✅

Day 9 – Teams Meetings ✅
• Joining meetings ✅
• Camera & mic ✅
• Screen sharing✅

Day 10 – OneNote (Optional)
• Creating notes
• Organising sections
• Using notebooks

Day 11 – Microsoft To Do✅
• Creating tasks✅
• Setting reminders✅
• Daily planning✅

Day 12 - repeated practice ✅

Day 13 – Work Simulation (Putting It Together)
• Email (Outlook)
• Document (Word)
• Save (OneDrive)
• Track (Excel/Planner)
• Message (Teams)

Day 14 – Confidence & Review Day
• Go over anything tricky
• Reinforce learning

@Morepositivemum. So I would take a topic and ask ‘how do I open word?’ and once I could do that , I’d do it several times over and then move on to ‘how do I create a document?’ and again, keep doing it over and over until it clicked. And then I’d join it all up together

And THEN I would make up a fictional work day and do fictional tasks.

Told you this was basic 😃

@Gingernaut ok. I have to know. Explain this one to me. I’ll add it to my roster!

Without wishing to sound condescending, I’m proud of you too!

Enormous, enormous well done xx

Great job! 👏👏

I'm also a 'build the bicycle while peddling' type of person. It's a great sense of achievement when you pull it off!

So very brave to tackle that. I think you're amazing. Well done!

👏 congratulations on your new role ! I joined the NHS in my 50’s - love it!

Congrats! Excel and I are not friends but you’re inspiring me to give it another go! All the best x

Less putting yourself down please. You are clearly hard working and motivated. Super proud of you, they are lucky to have you xx

OK.

This works on Windows computers and laptops

I don't know about Apple, Chrome or mobiles

Press ALT and then, with the ALT remaining pressed down, press 230 on the number pad

Once you've done that, let go of the ALT key and the µ symbol should appear

Apparently, there are a whole load of Greek and mathematical symbols available using this method - Pressing ALT and a three digit code

Don't ask me which codes, I just know the [ALT]230 code for µ

Being willing to try new things, noticing gaps in your knowledge, and being self-motivated to learn is the opposite of pathetic. Allow yourself to be proud!

Well done love x

OP, I love this post! I love it for you and I love that it’s given me hope. (Similar age and can use Microsoft office but not skilfully).

Congratulations!

JenniferJupiterr

That’s even more amazing so, and in my head makes you deserve it even more!! thank you so much, will start plotting and planning and get down to it!! Congratulations again!!!

Not embarrassing at all! You've put the work in and got a job you really want. You'd be surprised at how many people can not use Microsoft packages. It shows your commitment for the role and another skill learned. Well done OP 🙂

Well done you! Good luck in your new role

Not pathetic at all! Well done 👏 best of luck in your new role.

Congratulations! That's brilliant. Sometimes facing up to fears and mental blocks is very rewarding! Good luck in the new role.