Back to work for the first time in ages... need some job-seeking advice

[Indadhanu]

Yep yep yep.

After much deliberation by Shel and me, we decided the best thing for our family was to have us both working part-time, share the responsibility of being provider/nurturer.

I'm actually pretty excited about it, excited for me to be able to have something away from the home, excited for Jazz to have Shel to herself. Excited to be able to share the home duties with Shel, and excited that she is excited about being home with Jazz.

We'll see how long we are both excited for But anyway

I need help LOL!

I'm looking finding a customer service/check-out chick job (I'd love to go back to tutoring, but I've lost the touch and my brain LOL!), like in a mall shop: Kmart, Big W, Best & Less, Crazy Clarks etc. Something like that.

How? LOL! My first few jobs were walk-in with resume type things. Do most people ask for you to apply online now? (note: I haven't had to jobseek since I was 19, in January 2006 lol).
My experience is:
- Hungry Jacks, 2 years when I was in high school.
- Kitchenhand, 9 months when I was in uni
- ABA Therapist, 2years 6 months, while I was at uni
- Tutor, 12 months, while I was at uni

All part time. I haven't worked since December 2006, as I was at uni and plus we were TTC from March 2007 so since we didn't need me to work, we decided my job was study and be healthy to grow a baby. Then we got pregnant in November 2007. Jazz born August 2008. SAHM/WAHM til now. I need some help wording that in a resume...

All of my study has actually never eventuated to much. I have changed degrees as i changed direction, and now again I'm not sure where I'm at career wise. I know I want something 'servicey', working with people etc. But where do I see myself in 5 years time? No idea. Hopefully having been a mummy again, by birth or not, not sure yet. I might want to see myself with the same company, but hopefully having worked my way up at least a little bit. Is that ok to say in an interview?

I'd like a job that I can count on, regular hours etc. Do these kinds of stores offer that? Would it be rude to say that is what I am looking for? Or do they prefer you to know what you want from them or at least hope for?


ANY tips would be great. ANY, and EVERY, tip you have!!!!!!!!!!!

[Doing my best]

Most places are online applications now. The more hours you have as available, the more likely it will be that you get a call back.

I went for an interview at Kmart about a year ago, and the only thing that stopped me getting it was I couldn't work till 6.15 cause I needed to get DD from daycare.

It pays to be upfront as they are often trying to fill gaps with their perm staff, and while the hours casually are not guaranteed (they only have to give you 3 hrs a week), most will try to give you the shifts that suit you (of course around the perm staff first).

Good Luck!! I am sure you will love some time out of the house..

[Fleur]

I can only offer advice from my personal experience...

I had DD1 straight out of school, so had no job experience other than a few hours a week at various takeaway shops, etc.

My first 'real' job (I still have ) - by then I had 3 kids, the youngest was 2. I was invited to bring in my resume after going in to buy something. Had an interview, didn't get the job. Offered to them that next time they were hiring, I'd do 2 weeks training free. Got a phone call that afternoon saying start Sunday

Over the years I have gotten to know my boss (duh!) and I since realise that making that offer was the BEST thing I could have done. He is very big on people who want the job & not just for the money.

I have interviewed people with him, and I can give you his perspective - (although he is only one man) - and this is a customer service based role -
he doesn't care much for education. If the position is customer service, that's what counts. They are the bread & butter of the business, if you can be personable that's 70% of the way there.
He wants people who can be flexible. Having said that, he has put people on over & over again who had restrictions on what they could do because they fit the bill every other way. If he thinks they are worth a bit of juggling for, say because they have excellent interpersonal skills, he will do it.

So yes, definitely let them know what you are prepared to do & not do in terms of hours etc. For example he asked me if I would work Saturdays & Sundays - I said I would do one day but not both - I have a family who need my time also.

I know I want something 'servicey', working with people etc. But where do I see myself in 5 years time? No idea. Hopefully having been a mummy again, by birth or not, not sure yet. I might want to see myself with the same company, but hopefully having worked my way up at least a little bit. Is that ok to say in an interview?

Yes! we hate having to train people who are only there for 6mths....wanting to work your way up suggests that you might put a bit of effort into your job, lol.

Well as usual I have rambled
I hope some of that blather is helpful to you. Good luck!