Working Mummies Support Group #2

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BD i got turned down for a job today and wont find out if i made the short list for yesterday's til end of next week. I really loathe job hunting. I will start considering long term temp positions soon. Any idea when you expect to hear anything?

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Sorry to hear you got turned down. I agree about the loathing job hunting - I need to start soon (next week) but is so depressing I really don't want to. Everything is so short term - I just can't turn my life upside down and sort out necessary care arrangements to go full-time for a 3 month contract (and one where they will only decide to renew or not in last week). I can't understand the logic behind it - companies spend a fortune with recruitment agencies to try and get right candidate but then are not confident enough in that to give a decent length contract (on a 9 month project makes very little sense to give 3 month contracts for example) so then the contractor will spend the last four weeks job hunting and then they might decide in last week is time to offer renewal by which point the contractor has found a better offer and so they have to go through the recruitment process again.

In my last role on my last day they asked me to stay they were offering slightly more money but only for January (I had already cancelled childcare for DD (you have to give them 4 weeks notice) I mean really what planet are they on that they think I can just drop all my plans and make rearrangements for care for just an assurance of 4 extra weeks of work.

I was in my last role interstate for 8 years so job hunting is a bit alien to me now. I have applied for one job since I returned here, a really exciting (to me) position but I didn't even get an interview. That hurt because I have a decent amount of experience but they had an extraordinary volume of applications apparently. But still, I'm genuinely surprised I didn't even make it to interview.

It's a combination of choice and necessity for me. DH's work comes and goes so the money is a bit irregular. We could probably manage with just him working and we've done for short stretches (doing it again now) but it's hard financially and he gets really stressed.
I've always been really happy working. Though I'm really enjoying my time off now (though I'm actually still going into the office and working 3 days a week, I'm just taking DS2 with me and not worrying too much about how much I'm getting done).
Best solution would be for both DH and I to work part-time.
It's looking like I might not find anything till next year which is a bit longer than I would've liked. We'll see...

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I was in my last role interstate for 8 years so job hunting is a bit alien to me now. I have applied for one job since I returned here, a really exciting (to me) position but I didn't even get an interview. That hurt because I have a decent amount of experience but they had an extraordinary volume of applications apparently. But still, I'm genuinely surprised I didn't even make it to interview.

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I have been surprised on 1 or 2 roles also. I find in Melbourne sometimes you can have experience up the wahzoo but it still doesn't mean you'll get even an interview, especially if its through an agency.

I hate waiting

Me too!
I applied for a 6 month contract yesterday and they emailed me asking if i would like to be considered gor a 12 month contract role they have going too. We have negotiated the money so now waiting to see if i get either of them. Fingers crossed. I will keep looking for something permanent if i get either of them but i really need to get back to work as money is super tight right now.

Yep here too. It's causing me so much stress

I hear you, I find it really stressful too. Interview next Wednesday for both roles

Wow that's ages away. Good luck

So I just heard that I got the 1st job I went for but i really don't want to accept it :( I guess if I don't get the 2nd one I have a fall back option I just don't think the 1st one will work with kids

Congratulations on getting the first job.

Keeping everything crossed you get the other one too

Congratulations BD - hope the other offer comes through so it works out for you the way you want it.

I started more serious looking today - I am not really sure what is for the best though - DH job finishes mid April (was a fixed term contract - working on a major sporting event which will finish then so there is zero chance of any extension), if he can't line up a job straight away it will mean I need to get a full time contract to earn some decent money for us to live on. There has been one or two jobs I have seen which are permanent 12 month fixed term (asking for full-time but I might be able to swing four) but the money would not be that good but are close by - if I went for them I would have to see out the 12 months - but if DH doesn't get a new job quickly - we would be really stumped for money if I was in those positions - I think if they were permanent positions maybe it would be worth the risk to get my foot in the door at that place but for a 12 month fixed term am not so sure.

What are the likely reasons places choose 12 month fixed term permanent, they are not an option I am very familiar with at all. DH I could understand it - once the tournament is over then there is no role, or company, so a 30 month fixed term made obvious sense. The above roles are with a not for profit - is that likely to influence why the roles are 12 month fixed term?

In the past I tend to apply for things and then see what happens if things progress - and that is probably what I would advise other people too, but I seem to do quite well at getting jobs but I am not sure my "let fate decide" approach has worked that well.

Everyday I just think - who knew that working and having a family would be this difficult - all the ways I expected it to be difficult - missing the kids, tiredness etc I haven't found that bad - but the finding suitable interesting employment and working out what to do so some money keeps flowing in - is far more difficult than I imagined.

My job I was at when I was preg was a 12 month contract as they were waiting on a computer says to be implemented that would replace my job. Hence why I couldn't go back.

The 12 month contract for not for profits are typically tied to specific funding deeds. Sometimes they get extended but only if they can secure additional funds. Depending on the organisation, they could also be tied to election cycles...

Maternity leave cover is the most common reason i come across, thats the reason i had my last 12 month contract.

They often state mat leave though don't they? This particular org I have only seen them advertise permanent 12 month fixed term (3 roles) so would be a little surprised if all mat leave but is possible? I think perhaps the funding cycle sounds likely.

I think if it is maternity leave replacement they normally state that so applicants are clear on that and have no expectation of ongoing work. I work in public health and over the past few years there has been an increase of fixed term contracts. It is very difficult to get new ongoing positions created so organizations try to get small amounts of money from multiple sources and then create a fixed term position usually to get a specific project completed. I think it is always worth applying for those positions and getting a clearer picture at interview.

Didn't get 2nd job. Feeling uneasy about the first. Have another interview tomorrow

:comfort: good luck, BD.

Good luck for the interview BD. Sorry about the second job. Will you accept the first one?

Will see how today goes.

Ok here are the reasons I feel uneasy about job on table. It's taken him 5 weeks to get back to me. Is that a sign of things to come?? Will I have to chase my pays?? It's a tiny office. Him his wife and the new person. What happens if my kids are sick and I have to be off?? Will I get fired like I last time? And to top it off it's pretty poo money for the amount of responsibility that the job has. I'm not in any way a racist but they are Muslim and Im not sure what their stance on family and stuff is. The last lady that was there told me you can never have Friday off as they go to temple so that just adds to my stress of 'what if the kids are sick'

I do think uneasiness is always worth taking some notice of. I personally wouldn't read too much into the 5 weeks to get back to you thing, am not sure is an indication of anything - often seems to happen - companies are desperate for someone and then take ages to decide.

About taking time off I would be direct and ask about the deal with Fridays - it could just be they don't want someone taking Friday as holidays - but are quite accepting about time off for sick children. The answer you get about the Friday and how they answer might give you more of an indication about an attitude to needing to take days off for sick children in general. You already feel uneasy about it, not much to lose by asking the question, if they suddenly took back the offer then you were right to be uneasy about taking the job.

Good luck for other one today

Thanks wysiwyg

Yay got offered job on spot. Have accepted and told the other guy no thanks. I feel like it's the right choice

Thank you for all your advise

Congrats! That is great news

Congrats BD!

Woohoo congrats BD!

Congrats BD.

Yay congratulations. :)

Huzzah!!

That's awesome BD :happydance:

Thanks beautiful people. I feel good about this decision.

Congratulations!!! :)

Am applying for another job at an organisation I'd love to work for. Not the perfect dream role but interesting nonetheless.

Looks like I might have an interview on Monday - would be 4 days a week instead of 3, and some travel to Sydney (including when DH is away too - not quite sure how will manage that one but will come up with something) - location is rubbish for me (I just live wrong side of city for Logistics) but is a company I would like to work with. So far my pursuit of an easier life (e.g. 3 days a week) has not got me jobs with much job satisfaction so maybe I just have to face facts that to get the job satisfaction I want I will have to take on roles that are don't fit my ideal for family life. The money would be good - and would take the pressure off DH when his job ends mid April and give him chance to find something he wants.

Interview definitely on for Monday.

Just a few posts ago I wrote "In the past I tend to apply for things and then see what happens if things progress - and that is probably what I would advise other people too, but I seem to do quite well at getting jobs but I am not sure my "let fate decide" approach has worked that well."

Seems like I will be doing that again! My gut feel is that this job would be a good move - but it kind of feels a bit "off message" from the path previously taking.

I hope you have confidence as to the long and short term benefits, and how it will fit with your family ... and if it seems like a good fit, I hope you get it!!

:D

Good luck for Monday wysiwyg

Thanks all - I got the job - is better than I thought they changed the position a bit so no travel in the first couple of months when DH is away. I really liked the manager.

(I have to admit I am always super optimistic though about the next job being the one that is going to be the start of something great - anyone who has followed my threads on here could quote my optimism about my last couple of jobs :-) )

Now to the fun of trying to sort an extra day of daycare for DS.

Congrats Wysiwyg, hope this job brings you lots of good things!

Congratulations wysiwyg, thats fantastic.

Well no third interview for me, did have a phone interview this morning for another role, that is interviewing later this weekand have and interview tomorrow morning and Wednesday afternoon. I have 2 weeks to get a job or i have to apply for newstart, i am very concerned we wont be able to survive on it with all our debt :( fingers crossed one of these roles is successful.