Tuesday 7 October 2008

Now, about this job interview....................

I've got my first interview in years (lots of years, more than 11 years in fact) this Friday morning and I'm really delighted to have got this far but unfortunately they've changed the job spec so the hours are now a total disaster :(

I'm going to go to the interview anyway because it will be excellent practice and you never know, they might love me SOOOOOO MUCH that they change everything in my favour (and then they'll pay me double too and pigs will start to fly!)

It just seems so hard to find a job that will fit around looking after the children - which has to stay my top priority.

Do any of you have any magical solutions for me?

Perhaps I'll win the lottery?



Would it help if I actually bought a ticket?

39 comments:

April said...

you do have to be in it to win it.

Sorry they're messing you around - it is very hard to find jobs that fit around children - if i find a solution you'll be the first to know!

Good luck anyway!

April xx

Kitty said...

I think it's a great idea to go along anyway. And knowing that it's not really what you want (in terms of hours) will maybe take the pressure off a bit?

Yes you need to win the lottery - I do too. Maybe we should both buy a ticket?!

x

Jackie said...

You might like them so much you change your spec!

trash said...

ooooo Locket!!! Tres excitement.

Mrs Moog said...

I agree with Kitty about both the job and the lottery!

I'm lacking imagination to formulate a coherent comment of my own.

Sniff. Cough. Splutter. Winge.

xxx

Michaela said...

It might help if you bought a lottery ticket, but then again it probably wouldn't make a blind bit of difference, and the £1 wasted could have been spent on chocolate.

As to the job - any chance of trying to get one in school?

wonderwoman said...

definitely buy a ticket! you never know!
its hard juggling work and children but something will turn up, just have to hang on in there and keep looking!
otherwise you could set up your own business - Locket Enterprises!

xx

Gina said...

This is why I'm self employed. But go wow them at that interview anyway!

Simone said...

Good luck with the interview Lucy! What a nuisance that they have changed the job spec. I think you could use your persuasive charm to get them to change the job spec back to the job that you were applying for!

Anonymous said...

That's a shame that the hours has changed. Maybe if you're the right person for the job they might be able to change things around for you. But, if not, it's awesome practice. I totally understand and think it's excellent that you want to fit things in with the kids. I'm sure that many people have the same problem with jobs not fitting in with school hours. I hope that everything goes well... and if this isn't the job for you.... I'm sure there's another one waiting around the corner for you. GOOD LUCK!

corry said...

Sorry, I've got no solution but still I wish you good luck on Friday!

Unknown said...

the same thing happened to my friend, and they did change the hours to suit her...so pigs do fly sometimes!!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

Twiggy said...

Hi Lucy
I'd still go but discuss the hours while you're there. I started a temp contract recently and they decided they wanted someone to do 18 hours, I couldn't do it so told them unfortunately I'd have to turn down the job when they offered it to me. They came back to me and said, what hours would you like to work and they agreed!
I think it was more to do with the fact they are very busy rather than me being fabulous :) but do go and see what they say.
Good luck
Twiggy x

Anonymous said...

I agree sometimes pigs DO fly, and as we used to say...backwards with their nostrils flaring...I have no idea where that came from but it means I supposes sometimes the most unexpected things happen!
as for buying the lottery ticket, I fear it would be like me buying diet books...I buy them but I still don't lose weight....what do you mean I have to read them as well?? Have a wonderful day, be confident and smile...think of those pigs!
Kiss Noises Linda Lilly Cottage

Jo in TAS said...

I reckon the company is trying to weed out those that aren't a little flexible or not serious. I reckon they'll be flexible for whoever they think is the ideal candidate so go impress them at that interview!

rachelmp said...

I think its worth charming them too, and seeing what happens. Good luck Lucy!

Julie said...

Good luck with the interview. Like you said they might love you enough to alter the hours.

Thimbleanna said...

Hang in there Lucy! It will work out for the best and like you said, if nothing else, it will refresh your interviewing experience! Good Luck!

est said...

i really want to see a pig fly!! lol :)

you're right to go to the interview. miracle happens!?!
good luck!

Unknown said...

To be honest unless your prospective job is in a school or education support you haven't got a cat in hell's chance of getting something term time/school hours. None of the other employers out there seem to be remotely interested in supporting mums with school aged children. Depends what line of work you want to do - most mums go down the route of helping in school and drift into a Learning Support Assistant role in the classroom. Otherwise if you have clerical and more usefully accounts type experience occasionally a school office job will come up, but be warned they are rarer than hen's teeth. When we moved to Taunton I joined the County Council's temporary register and just told them I could only work school hours - I had had minimal experience in a school office but they kept me fully employed when I was available for almost a year until something permanent came up. That could be a line you might like to pursue. Sorry this is a bit wordy - but hope it helps. Otherwise it's evenings and weekends in retail really. As I said before the workplace really doesn't cater for women who don't want to not be at home for their kids when they are there

the pesky bombolino said...

Good luck with the interview- I admire you for going even though you think it's not quite right for you. I hate interviews and would do anything to avoid them!
Surely you could turn your talent for making into an income and work from home? Make twenty things, list them on Etsy and give it a go!

Cele said...

Hang in there the right opportunity I am sure is just around the corner. Life can be full of surprises. Even if this one doesn't work out perhaps the experience of this interview will give you lots of confidence for the next. Best of Luck. Hope you let us know how you get on.

Kaz said...

Shame about the hours, but I'd go anyway.

Good luck for the lottery - is it a rollover??

Mama said...

As our friends at the lottery office say "Gotta play to WIN!"

Re the interview - I stand in full support of going even if it is just for the experience. Talk about the hours, why they made the change and what might be done to create a compromise

ps: do they already know about your need to care for children? Interviewers here in the States cannot ask interviewees anything about marital status, race, religion, political affiliation, or if the have/plan to have children. Though interviewees can volunteer the information if they want to. (My current employeers almost fainted when they found out my political affiliation. "But you are so reasonable - and so nice!" they said. Another bit of proof for the flying pigs!)

Sal said...

Just show them your blog ! They will see how versatile you really are! ;-)
Good Luck!! ;-)

Just Original said...

I used to do a lot of interviewing for new staff and to be honest if your they were the right person we would always make the effort to accommodate there needs, this meant that they were so grateful that when they were at work they gave us 110%.

Everyone happy!

Just remember to relax and be yourself, as they can tell from your CV if you are capable of doing the job, they will just want to know how you will fit in with the company and the other workers.

Good luck

Vanessa x

Busters Mom said...

Good luck on your interview. A suggestion for a job is look at the school. If you are willing to work in the cafteria or as a janator you might find something there. That is what I did. Not the greatest of jobs out there. But I am home when my kid is. Off when she is off. I am not sure how well they pay at your schools but I get paid pretty well too. Which is nice.

Anonymous said...

Oooh-er .... good luck for tomorrow, I'm nervous for you - haven't been to an interview in years!

But you'll be fine! Like some others have said, if you don't think this one's for you the pressure is off and you don't need to worry too much.

Anyway, I bet you'll shine and they'll be begging to employ you!

:)

Michelle said...

maybe on the way to the interview you happen to pick up a paper and find the perfect job...
i know how hard it is to fit kids in with work...at the moment i have to rely on sitters...and i really hate it...

Anonymous said...

I'm with Jackie on this one - anything's possible even pigs flying.

Go get it girl - do you a world of good being in the "real" world.

Hope that gets everyone going!

:o)

Ally x

PS Will be thinking of you on Fri

JuliaB said...

Good luck!! x

Anonymous said...

good luck for friday -- I'll be thinking of you
lisa x

dottycookie said...

Good luck, good luck, good luck! (Though if you're reading this before your interview, get off the computer, mad person!) It's all good practice. My sister went for her first post child interview yesterday - along with a LOT of other people!

the vicious chicken said...

Oh bum - I'm too late to wish you well - but I will say instead that I hope things went really, really brilliantly this morning... and as others have said, I hope the pressure was off you a wee bit by virtue of the job being not-completely-perfect. Here's hoping they loved you so much that they switched the hours to fit you!

Best wishes,
VCxx

em's scrapbag said...

Buying a lottery ticket would only ever so slightly increase you chance of winning. Go to the interveiw know their socks off. And if they don't change the hours know that the Lord has something better in store. He will bless you because you are putting those little ones first.

Annie said...

How dare they change the rules on you!!! Jobs in schools are always good - you would be snapped up in an Australian school with all your creativity. I hear that the UK system is a little different.

Carin said...

What a pain they changed the ho;urs on you. I hope it went well and it serves as good practice. I hope you can find something that will work with the kiddos.

LinenandRoses said...

Good luck with the interview. Definitely worth going. You never know, if they really like you they might well change the hours.

LinenandRoses said...

Good luck with the interview. Definitely worth going. You never know, if they really like you they might well change the hours.