Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
I got turned down by Waterstone's, despite once having worked there, and having plenty of experience 
The job hunting support thread
- Thread starter Cloo
- Start date
purenarcotic
Conveniently Pocket Sized
Weeps, that job sounds ace. All the very best of luck! 
Cloo
Banana for scale
Yeah, that's what I figure - everyone and their dog will want to work there rather than, say, Aldi, so I don't see what chance an overqualified, totally retail-inexperienced person has.I got turned down by Waterstone's, despite once having worked there, and having plenty of experience
I'm just not sure what other kind of work might offer weekend jobs, and ideally just the one day (as gsv's new job is going to be bitching hard, and ideally I'd not like to be out all day both weekend days). Babysitting maybe? Could work up my wedding singing idea, I suppose...
weepiper
I fix the machines that fight climate change
tbh Cloo being able to choose your shifts in retail is as rare as hen's teeth. You get what you're given, and it's often what most jobs would consider unsociable hours (after 6pm, 'public holidays' etc but at a normal hourly rate, no overtime), and usually variable shifts i.e. not the same days every week
stuff_it
Too skool for cool
I think if you want to be that specific about your hours you should look for something self employed like you say.
Puddy_Tat
happy mew year
No harm in asking, I've never noticed vacancy signs in their shop windows, so don't know if they do that sort of thing online or what (some retailers put everything online, some only put supervisory level jobs and upwards online and advertise shop floor stuff locally)
Some shop work is 'zero hours contracts' and I don't know just how they react if you say you can't do a shift if and when they ask you to do one at short notice.
Also, with the current jobs market, there will be unemployed people out there with relatively recent retail experience, even if it's just working as a temp this Christmas.
And then there's the retailers using 'workfare' conscripts to do the entry level work. I've no idea if Waterstones do this.
Best of luck, but
to the whole thing.
Cloo
Banana for scale
I've just set up a profile and 'hourlie' on peopleperhour, which I was reminded off this evening. Offering proof reading/editing. Dunno what my chances are, but worth a shot.
As I wrote it, I realised maybe a more specific service I could offer is checking material for copyright, but obviously I'd have to check my legal liabilities there and whether I can disclaim my way out of it. Obviously, I am not a lawyer, but I can look things over with a publishing professional eye, given a lot of people really don't know much about it. One other problem, though, is that those busting copyright usually aren't aware there's an issue in the first place!
As I wrote it, I realised maybe a more specific service I could offer is checking material for copyright, but obviously I'd have to check my legal liabilities there and whether I can disclaim my way out of it. Obviously, I am not a lawyer, but I can look things over with a publishing professional eye, given a lot of people really don't know much about it. One other problem, though, is that those busting copyright usually aren't aware there's an issue in the first place!
Yeah I know what you mean - I have pretty much zero experience in this area too ... despite being totally willing to learn, quick at learning, flexible, strong etc etc ... yet nobody wants to know.
Got the knockback from the 'spoons bar job. When I was signing on last week the JC lady said that they have loads of people on their system with a lot of bar experience and they can't get a job either. ffs.
Anyway had a mixed bag recently - couple of rejections for research technician jobs, rejection for a scientist job in private company/SME on the local science park.
... but did get an email about that job I had a video conference interview for in New Zealand - apparently I'm the 2nd choice (!), they are going to chat with their preferred choice this week (presumably someone who lives in that part of the world!) and see what they say. Asked if I was still interested.
... it's fucking crazy isn't it? I can get an interview and maybe an offer for a job 1/2 way around the world yet not even an interview here!
I've still got a couple of jobs (one part-time) which closed a few weeks ago so waiting to hear if I've got an interview.
Spotted a research assistant job going on NHS jobs - but it's quite a travel, will be over an hour (but needs must), good pay. I don't have one of the essential skills but my general experience should counter that I hope. Job needs filling soon so hopefully will hear sooner rather than later.
Apart from that there really is fuck all going ...
Cloo
Banana for scale
Clearly nowt going to happen before Xmas. So that'll be two months without an interview. I really hope this was just a blip - maybe I was just getting lax with my last round of applications. Job centre will tell me to look in other areas, but if I can't get an interview/job in my area of experience, I'm hardly going to get it in another, especially given I won't have any enthusiasm, or any reason to apply other than 'to get a job', and any job I apply in a new area - yet again - won't pay enough to cover my childcare costs.
Finally fired my CV off to a company I've been meaning to contact for a while, and they sent me back an editor job they have going (probably too junior and so won't pay enough). And I also realised they're in Herne Hill, so with gsv starting his new job (statutory hours 9-6.30) I can't work there anyway, as I probably won't be able to get home in time to pick up the kids, which I will have to be the one to do.
Finally fired my CV off to a company I've been meaning to contact for a while, and they sent me back an editor job they have going (probably too junior and so won't pay enough). And I also realised they're in Herne Hill, so with gsv starting his new job (statutory hours 9-6.30) I can't work there anyway, as I probably won't be able to get home in time to pick up the kids, which I will have to be the one to do.
Puddy_Tat
happy mew year
Another
My interview today seemed to go fairly well - felt more like just chatting to two people in the same line of work about what they are doing / what I've done. Considering I had a crappy night's sleep and had to be out of here at 0630, I think I did reasonably well.
We'll see.
Not entirely sure I want it - will mean moving house, moving in the wrong direction for being nearer to ageing mum-tat, and being a two year contract, means i'll probably have to rent a place which can be a crappy experience...
Remus Harbank
Cake and whipped cream…
definitely smile and nod, JC folks don't want to see anything else.
Puddy_Tat
happy mew year
Great news Puddy - for all the less than ideal stuff, probably worth taking in the current market and suck up the difficulties.
Thanks.
Will be an interesting Christmas break if I tell Mum-Tat...
sums up the likely reaction
Part of me feels like it's just putting my life even more on hold for the next 2 years (coming here to Berkshire felt like a temporary thing 10 years ago)
Part of me thinks that if I don't take it, I may never get anything else
Blargh.
Cloo
Banana for scale
Tough, isn't it? We've had to consider issues about gsv's new job, such as the long hours, and they basically golden-handcuff you so it's hard to leave for the first two years, but on balance it's a good next move for his career and the salary makes things much less anxious with me without a job, and generally improves our lot to the point where if the job turns out to be suboptimal, he'll just have to deal until he's in a position to leave.
Puddy_Tat
happy mew year
Thanks
Dunno really - I've never really got myself into a position of doing that sort of quantity of applications
(also, it raises the question of whether you'd do better to put more time and effort into fewer but more targetted applications, but then I don't know what sort of thing you're looking for)
I've also recently got into the habit of having a separate computer sub-folder for each job, so I can save the documentation they offer, and copies of what I send all in the same place (and where it's an online form, I generally try to copy-paste the more substantial chunks)
one thing that can be a pain is if you've got a few applications to make is making sure you prioritise by closing date and don't miss any.
I'd guess a fairly simple table (maybe a spreadsheet) with columns like
Organisation : Job : Where Advertised : Closing Date : Applied on Date : Progress
would suffice
Cloo
Banana for scale
I don't have enough out to lose track of what I've applied for. That said, I sometimes don't get around to applying for things that are lower priority because I've forgotten about them, and maybe I ought to make more note. I've not bothered to apply for one or two things that in theory I could have this week, as they just seemed too likely another know - previous to this month it seemed to be working me trying a few slightly leftfield options, but after this unsuccessful round of applications it doesn't seem worth it right now.
toggle
wobbly
didn't get the heritage job i was looking for. i did get another temping role. 4 cleaning shifts, starting 8.30am. walking distance. it's above minimum wage. but ti's in the local tory club. i'll need to hld my tongue and my nose. but i can't afford to turn down any work right now
Cloo
Banana for scale
Very interesting communications role popped up in Parliament - I could fit the bill. Just noticed it's 2.5 days a week, 12 month contract. I'd rather do 3+ days money wise, but it's worth a shot, as I'm certainly interested in the job. Doesn't close until January, so I can work on applying over the next week. Quite glad to have something to work towards, at least.
Have spent the last 2 weeks working on an application that looks *extremely* well tailored to my interests and expertise.
My supervisor had a read-through of my application letter and suggested expanding it considerably, though.
A 2-2.5 page covering letter? Hmmmmm. Concerned!
My supervisor had a read-through of my application letter and suggested expanding it considerably, though.
A 2-2.5 page covering letter? Hmmmmm. Concerned!
fractionMan
Custom Title
that's one bloody long letter.
Puddy_Tat
happy mew year
I have, in the past (not related to job applications) been instructed to put more detail into a document and to make it shorter...
2 and a bit pages of covering letter seems a heck of a lot, although from memory, you're in academia aren't you? In which case, what's the 'done thing' there? For jobs with an application form, you can go on more or less as much as you like in the 'other information' bit.
Could you do a brief letter and a separate personal statement sort of thing in addition to the CV?
scope for a few strategically placed frozen prawns on your last day?
good luck
I'm still in one heck of a quandary about the Bristol-ish thing. The more I think about it, the more I think I'm still not in a fit state of health to work full time, quite apart from the practicalities of moving / renting, and then there's the mum-tat factor (I decided not to mention it over christmas).
If I take it and my health fails, then I'm going to be stuck with a tenancy somewhere I don't want to be, and I'm going to be in a considerably worse position than now for applying for anything else, and I'll have given up my casual job by then.
I almost hope they get a bad reference and change their mind...
Cloo
Banana for scale
Sigh, back into the breach here. Haven't yet done anything on parliament role, as not sure if it will quite pay for itself, and my other half was blanching a bit at the idea of only half a week's income.
Sent off for one maternity cover at the children's division of a large publisher - not likely, as the education division have not given me so much as a rejection for two roles for which I'm much better qualified. Plus, judging by job title and spec, I suspect the pay won't be sufficient
Just applying for another charity role - I wanted to apply for one of the roles below it years ago, but they're based in NW London and I was based in East London and unable to do the commute (I went as far as trying it out before I applied) so had to leave it. Much nearer to them now. An interesting role, but pushing my experience a bit, especially given I've never line managed. I suppose I'm hoping there'll be less competition, given they're based so off the beaten track.
A bit annoyed, as I was giving some thought to who else might publish close to what I was working on before, and one large publisher came to mind but it looks like they've moved all their editorial to Oxfordshire - pretty sure they used to be London based, but they were bought up about 5 years ago.
Sent off for one maternity cover at the children's division of a large publisher - not likely, as the education division have not given me so much as a rejection for two roles for which I'm much better qualified. Plus, judging by job title and spec, I suspect the pay won't be sufficient
Just applying for another charity role - I wanted to apply for one of the roles below it years ago, but they're based in NW London and I was based in East London and unable to do the commute (I went as far as trying it out before I applied) so had to leave it. Much nearer to them now. An interesting role, but pushing my experience a bit, especially given I've never line managed. I suppose I'm hoping there'll be less competition, given they're based so off the beaten track.
A bit annoyed, as I was giving some thought to who else might publish close to what I was working on before, and one large publisher came to mind but it looks like they've moved all their editorial to Oxfordshire - pretty sure they used to be London based, but they were bought up about 5 years ago.
Puddy_Tat
happy mew year
Bristol-ish job is still pending.
HR people sent me a letter with the wrong end date (it's a fixed term thing, but letter implied a 6 month not an 18 month thing) which had to be queried and corrected.
Due to past health problems, I may need to go for a medical, or something (or they may just tell me to get lost)
Line manager is pestering me to commit to a start date - fair enough he's got work piling up and wants someone in there getting on with it. (sounds like HR people don't talk to them which isn't all that encouraging)
There's no way I'm going to commit to renting a place down there until the offer is fully unconditional, as I don't want to be stuck for 6 months' rent, and similarly I've not completely stopped applying for other jobs (although I don't have anything like an offer in hand. Other than the current casual work which I'd have to give up for this)
Is there a way I can just withdraw from the damn thing with any dignity attached?
HR people sent me a letter with the wrong end date (it's a fixed term thing, but letter implied a 6 month not an 18 month thing) which had to be queried and corrected.
Due to past health problems, I may need to go for a medical, or something (or they may just tell me to get lost)
Line manager is pestering me to commit to a start date - fair enough he's got work piling up and wants someone in there getting on with it. (sounds like HR people don't talk to them which isn't all that encouraging)
There's no way I'm going to commit to renting a place down there until the offer is fully unconditional, as I don't want to be stuck for 6 months' rent, and similarly I've not completely stopped applying for other jobs (although I don't have anything like an offer in hand. Other than the current casual work which I'd have to give up for this)
Is there a way I can just withdraw from the damn thing with any dignity attached?
heinous seamus
Perfect in an empty room
Just apologise and say circumstances have changed, if you're definitely sure you want to withdraw. I can't see that you owe them any more than that.
I have my library assistant interview tomorrow. Does anyone have any tips on what they're gonna ask me
I have my library assistant interview tomorrow. Does anyone have any tips on what they're gonna ask me
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