I need to go back to work but all the jobs look soooooo dull

[LargeLatte]

A year ago I gave up a part-time job that paid very well and I had enjoyed. Family circumstances meant I had very little option other than to give it up. I chose to do this and do not regret it. But now our savings have pretty much run out and I need to get back to work and earn a few hundred quid each month. But all the jobs on offer locally are sooo dull and pay minimum wage.

I'm torn between thinking I should just suck it up, take a rubbish job and get on with it because we need the money. Or keep looking and finding a job that makes good use of my brain, experience, and degree.

If I do take a minimum wage job what are the chances of getting back into a more stimulating job once the children are older, life is less complicated and I can work more hours?

Anyone got any experience?

I'd say go for the decent job if you can, but it does depend on how dire the jobs market is where you are IMO - i.e. what are the chances of getting a good job if you hang on, realistically?

I've been job hunting on and off in London since October, I decided to only go for jobs I'd enjoy with decent pay, and 4 months later (despite feeling like I was gtting nowhere at times) I eventually got a brilliant part time job that really suits me and am happy there. So for me that worked.

Where are you and what kinds of jobs are you looking for?

I found some good part time jobs advertised on www.charityjob.co.uk and www.womenlikeus.org.uk

Our circumstances sound similar - I gave up my well paid p/t job 3 yrs ago after juggling with 2 children and family life...It was great till a few months ago when lots of my friends started to get jobs and I now feel I should be doing something (we could also do with the cash). Like you I have a degree, lots of experience and also professional qualifications.
In Nov I took a temp p/t job with a very well known retailer (think Twiggy), and whilst the hours were great and the people lovely, I was so bored...I missed the chat you get in an office environment and didn't get to use my brain.
It was good for us because it helped pay for Christmas and I would do it again if it was just to fund something specific, but if you have a bit of time to play with, maybe you could hang out for the right job for now and only compromise if you really have to?
BTW, I have no idea how to do a covering letter let alone cope with an interview. Doe anyone know any good websites?

Thanks for the links.

Funny you should ask about the covering letters and interviews. In a former job a was a trained Competency Based Interviewer - which is an interveiw technique that focuses on how you have behaved in the past to determin if you have the right attributes for the job. I conducted loads of interviews, but also prepped colleagues for interviews when they were going for jobs (not if I was doing the interviews of course). So one of the many business ideas that have flitted through my brain, and then gone nowhere, was to set up a service offering that sort of advice - but there is quite a few people doing it.

For your covering letter - look at the requirements in the job description, pick out key ones,and make links to your previous experience. Also try to anticipate any queries the employer would have, like if you have gaps in your CV, or you made a sudden change in career direction, and include a brief explanation - or possible have an explanation prepared for the interview depending on the job. If you can find out what type of interiew it is beforehand then you can be better prepared. Some people still do the chat about 'tell me what you can bring to the job'. Many employers, especially large organisations are using competency or behaviour based interviews where the questions will be phrased like 'tell me about a time when you delighted a customer / couldn't meet a deadline'. You should be able to get free information on the internet to help you prepare for this type. Hope that helps a bit.

Hmmmmm its making me think again about the whole 'job seekers coaching' role - return to workers, professionals looking to change companies, maybe there's something in it.