Fed up - I was an excellent candidate but .....

[climbanymountain]

Three weeks ago I applied for the perfect job. It was part-time and paid a REALLY good 'proper' wage - equivalent to my full time (pro rata). I had exact skills match and totally relevant experience from previous high level FT job. Wouldn't have been that many people out there that could do something v specialised. Even so spent days very carefully preparing application.

BUT.. they asked about start dates and interview availability. Said flexible but would need to arrange childcare (am SAHM) and preferred to start after school hols. Stupid me. I didn't even get an interview.

What makes me mad is that the employer makes much play in their literature about work life balance, childcare etc. But at the end of the day made no difference. Am I sounding bitter?

• what a b*gger

Are you sure that's why you didn't get an interview?

Often organisations already know the person they want for a job, but have to go thru the motions of advertising it etc.
If you are such a strong candidate, they may not have wanted the interview panel to see you up against the person they already know.....

I totally feel for you climbanymountain - I have been trying to get a new job since March and because of various complicated circumstances, my CV makes it obvious that I have a 2yo child.

And guess what....I haven't got a single interview, despite applying for jobs that fit my skills exactly, and without sounding smug, always having been pretty good at applications and interviews.

Sigh.

All I can say is keep going - there are good employers out there. But I do try to keep any mention of childcare etc until they've met me at interview, iyswim, so they get the chance to like me before I start looking too complicated.

Good luck! xx

clumsy it's possible and I know that goes on all the time.

Even so, just feel if I hadn't made reference to kids I would be before the panel. Instead decided to be open and honest.

I used to have to shortlist in my old job. Top six or seven were put on shortlist for bosses eyes. I remember my boss( a v senior director) tried to exclude people that had issues (i.e. someone who had suffered depression ten years before). Also never wanted mothers of young kids. I used to fight their corner really hard and try and employ them! I'm sure same thing has now happened to me.