Two Interviews, Same day same time, WWYD?

[Rightieoe]

Hi everyone,

Name changed for this because it's very outing. I've recently graduated as an OT for context, background is childcare and a teaching qualification but no QTS.

I have 2 primary age DC, one with SEN, I'm a single parent, DC's father has minimal involvement in terms of parenting, he says he can do pick ups but will always prioritise his own schedule/wants so isn't reliable.

I have managed to get an interview for an OT technical instructor role next Tuesday at 1 - it's like an OT assistant. I also applied for an SEN teaching assistant role and yesterday had an email inviting me to an interview on the same day 15 minutes later!!

Both emails state times are non changeable so I need to decide what to do. Any advice appreciated, I'll list the pros and cons below:

OT TI role:

It aligns with my degree and is a foot in the door to what I want to achieve.
20 hours per week all year round- not sure which days this will be.
Potential for role to move to late night working which I can't do.
Permanent role
Closer to home - 10/15 minute drive

TA role:

I enjoy working with kids but it's not directly OT but still valuable experience
15 hours per week - mornings
Term time only
Contracted until August next year
Further from home and need to use motorway - 20 mins if lucky in traffic

I really can't decide - it's so annoying I can't have a shot at both. I keep thinking if I cancel the wrong one and then fail the interview what might have happened if I picked the other one.

Edited for grammar

OT job foot in the door and gaining experience with your relevant qualification.

Term time only when you have kids is a life saver.

I guess the thing is that if you get either job you will need some childcare: what is your plan for that?

I’d prioritise the OT role. And let the school know you can’t make that date but you’d be willing to do any other. Certainly at my school there is a huge demand for TAs. Last time we interviewed only 1 candidate out of 3 turned up and they were poor so we had to re advertise. Didn’t get anyone. The time before that we ran the interviews over a few days. This is a good school as well with very good behaviour in a great catchment area. We would likely move the interview if we knew our candidates were limited. Despite what it says on the info, could you ask the school directly anyway?

OT job is a foot in the door so clearly prioritise that.

I’d also push my luck with the other interview: say that due to caring responsibilities that time unfortunately doesn’t suit and ask for another.

The fact it’s linked to caring responsibilities means they will be more likely to change it and either way, you’ve nothing to lose: they change it, great, you’ve a backup opportunity. They don’t, great, you know what sort of employer they’ll be (ie one to avoid!) and you’ve still got your priority interview.

Well done on securing the interviews and good luck!

DC can go to before school club in the morning which will give me enough time to get to the TA role, I don't know what the working hours of the OT TI role are yet though so that may be ruled out entirely if it's an 8am start because there's no childcare before that

If it’s an earlier start you could look at childminders. I’d prioritise the OT role, it aligns with your degree, is a foot in the door, it’s a permanent role and presumably more money given it’s more hours year round.

I know how hard it is to juggle, but in a few years time you’ll have a more established career, more earning capacity and your kids will need less practical care. That’s golden as you go into teen years.

Could you find out the OT hours?

If not, I'd go for the TA one. Term time only and a later starting time is a massive plus while your kids are young. It's all good experience in a caring role for when exact hours aren't so crucial in the future.

Good luck.

Are you sure they can’t change the date? It’s worth reaching out to them to let them know you would love to interview but something important has come up.

It’s fine to say you’re already committed to another interview then! Shows you’re in demand. No need to make up a different reason especially if it may make them feel you won’t be available for the actual role eg caring.

Personally as PP has said I think they’re more likely to be flex for the TA role so would say this for that one.

I would ring the ot role and get more confirmation around hours etc and if it is workable I’d go for that one. I would still ask the other job if you can interview another day you never no!

Go for the OT one but also no harm in asking if they can move the other one later. Say it’s because of caring responsibilities or a hospital appointment you can’t cancel.
They can only say no.

Would go for the term time one, so much easier when you have young children.

however I would phone the OT one and see if they could change due to you having another appointment at the same time,

OT role for experience
TA job won’t give OT experience at all
I wouldn’t want to travel 20 mins on a motorway for a TA role. A lot of travel on a very low wage.

I called the school with the TA role and the receptionist put me on hold for a long time, came back and said she had asked but it wasn’t an option due to staff levels and time out of the SLTs diary. I was hoping there’d be a clear consensus but I think you’re all weighing up the pros and cons the same as me.

I was also thinking before and the start date for the TA role is the 3/11 but the OT role will probably take much longer? I’ve not worked for the nhs before so that may not be true but I can’t imagine getting a start date in a couple of weeks in an NHS role.

The NHS email did say no other times available for the interview however the school receptionist did seem to try to accommodate so I will email the person on the OT interview details and ask the question.

I just need a crystal ball!!

thank you all for your opinions and advice