Omlet cube and run

[Willow]

After being made redundant I've spent the last couple of years contracting as there's been virtually no permanent jobs in my area. A few more permanent jobs have appeared although anything between 1 & 3 levels junior to where I was. Seems to be very few contract jobs at the moment as well. So I've been applying for lots as I just want a job that doesn't require me to go where ever the company wants on a Monday and home on a Friday but I'm constantly being turned down because I'm overqualified for the job and they think I'll get bored and move on chance would be a fine thing I can't get a job now what makes them think I'd get a better one soon after joining them Why do they think I'm applying ?

I had to wri

Its getting me down, especially as deep down I'd really prefer to potter around at home and not work (sadly not an option ).

[pips_pekins]

Sorry you are feeling fed up. When OH was being threatened with redundancy he found the whole process got to him as well. Are there any agencies or online sites that recruit for your line of work? That way you might only need to complete your details once. At least that might help on the practical side until something comes along. Sorry if this is something you are already doing.

 

I hope find something soon. Not sure why employers take such a negative attitude to people with experience. Surely it is better for them to have someone proactive and clued up especially if they can get away with paying less

[Willow]

There's 3 specialist agencies and I'm talking to them but some jobs come up independently of the agencies as well especially contract roles so watching everything really. It's the getting to first interview then being told I'm over qualified that is annoying me - can't they read my cv and decide that ? Trying to work out when to downplay stuff but when you get to a certain age you've done a lot of work. Is it code for too old ? I'm not even 50 yet and I don't look over 50 (at least not when I'm dressed smart and made-up so I don't think they are looking at me and deciding I'm too old

[Cinnamon]

I'm not even 50 yet and I don't look over 50 (at least not when I'm dressed smart and made-up

 

You don't look 50 when you are shopping in Waitrose either!

 

Good luck - it must be soul destroying to have to keep plugging away for work

[sjp]

I know how you feel I've had to set up on my own as I couldn't even get an interview for 99% of the ones I applied for most of which I could have done standing on my head. I was made redundant September but was laid off July by Christmas I was climbing the walls

[soapdragon]

Hope you find something soon - its soul destroying, isn't it? I agree with you about people not reading the CVs properly; would save a lot of time on both sides!

 

YS started school after Easter and I have been looking for something part time, term time only...me and everyone else! Finally found some bank/supply work at the local Surestart Children's Centre in the village (and next village too.) Have no idea what the pay is as they seem unable to tell me (pretty dire, I guess) and only have 6 three hour sessions booked between now and end of term but its a start.

 

Good luck; keep us posted on your progress!

[charly1979]

Good Luck I know how you are feeling I have been looking applying etc for the last 2 years

 

Prior to this I spent 5 years doing a P/T degree in computing I am limited to what I can do jobwise after an RTA otherwise I would still be in engineering or would even be doing bar work, whilst I love pottering around the house and chatting to my chooks I need to be working I need to feel I am achieving something. My biggest irk about the whole affair is going to interviews and finding out afters they already knew who they wanted

 

Lets hope something turns up for us job seekers

[soapdragon]

My biggest irk about the whole affair is going to interviews and finding out afters they already knew who they wanted

 

 

It seems to becoming more and more common that a lot of jobs are advertised because they have to be and the panel know the outcome from the start.

 

I was initially looking for a TA (Teaching Assistant) post locally but then a friend, who has worked in primary schools for approx. 20 years, told me not to bother as in 99% of cases, the interviewers know that they are going to offer the job to a Mum with a child already at the school and are only 'going through the motions' because they have to by law. It stinks but what can you do?

[charly1979]

 

I was initially looking for a TA (Teaching Assistant) post locally but then a friend, who has worked in primary schools for approx. 20 years, told me not to bother as in 99% of cases, the interviewers know that they are going to offer the job to a Mum with a child already at the school and are only 'going through the motions' because they have to by law. It stinks but what can you do?

 

Exactly a job I had an interview for last year was at a school , the head couldn't even give me any -ve feedback so I was confused then a week later I was told the job had gone to someone who had their foot in the door so to speak

[Willow]

Thanks Sarah that's sweet

 

And thanks to everyone consoling me, helps to know I'm not alone and I'll just keep plugging away, probably end up continuing to contract, they generally don't seem to mind you being over qualified. Prospective line managers and HR get really nervous.

 

The advertised jobs that don't really exist are the most frustrating, and the apparent list of jobs that all turn out to be the same one but with multiple agencies come next.

[merlina]

You're probably indundated with unwanted advice, but I'll just throw in my 2c....

 

Most jobs are never advertised. About 90% of the jobs my students (of all ages) get, were never advertised. Even in these days of low-cost internet advertising, employers, especially smaller companies and those outside the public sector, seem to hate the whole recruitment process and will avoid it.

 

I have people write a slightly different variant of their CV targetted at individual firms, highlighting/prioritising their skills/roles they could perform, tailored to each company's work. It's worth sending them not just to HR, but the heads of relevant departments/sections. Now's an especially good time for this informal approach as it can lead to temporary work during the summer holidays which, in turn, can lead to more permanent positions - in other words you become one of the 'insiders'.

 

Good luck with the search

[The Dogmother]

Good luck Patricia, I know it will happen for you as I've recently been in a similar situation and am the same age - I hated the actual applying, doing my CV and interviews, but landed the job of my dreams....

 

Have faith in yourself and exude confidence

[Willow]

but landed the job of my dreams....

 

That is so nice to hear I'm like you I hate applying. ~And it is so timeconsuming as I do tailor my cv to add or remove relevant experience (all stuff I've done - no inflating experience to make it sound better).

 

Guess I have to just keep going and the right job will come along eventually

[The Dogmother]

I think the reluctance is partly down to unconsciously worrying about rejection. Once I get into it then it doesn't feel so bad.

 

I was in my previous role for 10 years before they closed the office and made us all redundant; it has been odd starting again and learning a new job.

[WitchHazel]

Sorry to hear that Patricia.

 

In your specialist line of work, I would guess that networking is your best option. You need to let people you've worked with in the past (and who rate you) know that you are looking for a new job/contract.

 

Maybe invest some time looking up past contacts on LinkedIn, to see what they are up to now. I am often surprised (and occasionally horrified) when I see where people I used-to-know are now.

 

Sorry I don't have any more practical help to offer.

 

Hazel

[soapdragon]

Patricia, do you have any 'contacts' or ex colleagues that you could ask to keep an ear to the ground for you? Is good, from both sides, to have a personal recomendation

[Willow]

I have a permanent job offer Awaiting final internal approval and paperwork so could fall through but they have made me a verbal offer so looking good.

 

Good money and position but will mean being away from home 1-2 nights a week as really it's a role based in a city 100miles away I've negotiated splitting time between there and London.

 

And of course I got it through a contact I rang someone who'd I'd worked with indirectly to ask him to put in a word for me and he asked if I fancied his job as he'd just resigned for a job closer to home for him (Yeah the irony of me living even further away hasn't escaped me )

 

Thank-you to everyone for their support, clearly I should have posted my grumble months ago

[pips_pekins]

That's really great news. Congratulations

[soapdragon]

Fantastic news, Patricia! Good luck with your new job!

[WitchHazel]

Fab news Patricia, well done!

[charly1979]

Brilliant News

[counturchickens]

Well done you, congratulations

[Luvachicken]

Brilliant news

Good Luck with your new job xx

[The Dogmother]

That's great news Patricia, well done.

[Willow]

Thanks all, I must admit to feeling nervous that something might change and they decide not to fill the position. I won't fully believe it until day 1 on the new job. I don't have a start date yet as they need to go through their internal processes now.