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Original poster

to apply or not to apply -that is my question

17 replies

sorrel · 14/04/2005 16:16

to all wise mumsnetters!
A job opportunity has arisen within walking distance of my house at a brand new leisure facility. The job description is exactly a description of my background and experience, but the money is not great.There would be pre- employment training and the chance for a complete new start at a totally new place( ie no body's shoes to fill)It would be handy, and we could use the money.
BUT..... i am hesitant. I have not worked since adopting our little girl(4 years) except for word of mouth PT temp positions.Thus i have really no-one to act as a referee( they want my most recent employer)
Also I would have to commit to 40 hours a week ( incl.lots of unsocial hours) and get into the whole childcare debate.
My head is addled with the pros and cons. Dh says i should do what i want( How helpful!)
Dunno what i want.I like the idea but guess i am terrified. Answers on a postcard.......

OP posts:
JoolsToo · 14/04/2005 16:20

I'm certainly not wise on these matters but 40 hours is a LOT! and if they are unsocial how will you manage the child care? and would your salary cover the costs? or do you have family to help?

I have to say if it was me I'd only go for it if I was really sure it was what I wanted.

Whatever you choose I hope it works out for you

Marina · 14/04/2005 16:23

Could you suggest a job-share approach and maybe then only do 20 hours a week?

Original poster
sorrel · 14/04/2005 16:27

thanks joolstoo, 40 hours seems enormous to me too. However, it would be after school care 3-6pm for dd as she is 10 now ( we have only had her for 4 years)Dh would have to look after her in the evenings and weekends.....oh the more i think of it mkes me feel exhausted.maybe it is madness

OP posts:
cod · 14/04/2005 16:28

Message withdrawn

Original poster
sorrel · 14/04/2005 16:29

hi marina- apparently as it is a council job they will only consider someone who can do all the hours.( was at their job fair today and i did ask)

OP posts:
cod · 14/04/2005 16:30

Message withdrawn

cod · 14/04/2005 16:31

Message withdrawn

Original poster
sorrel · 14/04/2005 16:31

cod -i have never met him, but i suppose i could ask.

OP posts:
Blackduck · 14/04/2005 16:33

Why is 40 hours a lot - the average FT is at least 37.5........? Re the reference explain the situation and ask if you can use a personal referee...

Marina · 14/04/2005 16:36

WHAT sorrel? Local councils in my neck of the woods are far more willing to recruit flexibly than private sector employers! There must be a misunderstanding, I do hope so.

JoolsToo · 14/04/2005 16:36

37.5 was too much for me

Blackduck · 14/04/2005 16:38

Its too much for me too, but I'm just pointing out its average ....anyway you managed the early retirement (do you mind telling us how and how early?)

marthamoo · 14/04/2005 16:43

Councils are usually fairly flexible - I worked for Manchester City Council pre-kids and they were really quite accomodating: full time, job shares, and all manner of part-times. As you are so well suited to the job I would contact them again about it and suggest job share. Or go for it full-time and (fingers crossed that you get it!) once you are there see if it is too much and apply for a job share from the position of already being in the job.

Any change is scary.

Original poster
sorrel · 14/04/2005 16:53

just phoned personnel and they said that as it is a pre requisite of the job description that you would work 40 hours they would not be able to consider a job-share.thought as much.They are looking for 2 people thogh as the facility will be open from 9am to 10pm.
Somehow don't think they have thought it through.

OP posts:
Dominoes · 14/04/2005 17:19

Sorrel - in spite of what the person in personnel said, if you feel that this is the job for you, it may still be worth applying on a PT basis. Who's to say that you didn't speak to someone who is fairly new in post themselves and doesn't know the score. I've recruited for many jobs - all in local govt - and if a candidate meets the "essential criteria", regardless of whether they wanted FT or PT, we have had to interview them. Sometimes, we have offered it to the PT candidate because they 'scored' the highest points and were the best candidate by far. Its probably worth checking out the 'person specification ' and 'essential criteria' documents they normally send out with appliation forms- if it doesn't say that ability to work 40hrs a week is essential for the post, then you've got nothing to lose. Also, gives you an further opportunity to check them out, which is equally important in my view. HTH and good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Original poster
sorrel · 14/04/2005 17:29

hi dominoes, unfortunately the 40 hour thing is in black and white. just nipped over the road to check with them at the jobs fair again. i asked about the possibility of a job share and they immediately launched into why the post would not be suitable as a jobshare( he had speech all prepared and pointed it out on the job description)still, i will consider the job as a 40 hour a week thing. i really need to work out whether it would be do-able what with dd activities and affording childcare and if the money would be enough. Lots to think about and they are only accepting applicatons up to 5pm tomorrow.(over 600 people turned up for a total of 12 jobs.)cars parked all down our road.Madness

OP posts:
Dominoes · 14/04/2005 19:18

That's a shame Sorrel - might be worth applying in any case to give yourself a bit more time to think about whether you really want this job and work out some of the practicalities. Good luck with whatever you decide

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