As you all know, I've had... sketchy... paid employment over the last seven years. It's not been such a problem from a financial point of view, however I feel like my brane has gone to mush over that time
( Read more... )
They should be used to women applying for jobs who have been out of the workforce for a few years, so I wouldn't let that worry you. A CV is all about demonstrating what you *can do* - and if you work with a professional CV writer, you may realise you have relevant skills that the employer would find attractive that they didn't list on the application.
The key to it will be proving that your skills are up to date in every respect. *Definitely* get your CV done over by someone else, preferably professionally. I've NEVER seen a good one yet that was done by someone him/herself - and I've seen a LOT. And binned a lot when scanning through potential candidates prior to interview stage. I worked on the premise that anything that is more than three years old (unless it is a qualification) is usually irrelevant. And don't include ANYTHING from school. If I saw a swimming certificate it was straight in the bin! The applicant was clearly wasting my time.
Do you know anyone who works there? An awful lot of people get jobs through people they know (I have), and if you have some common ground or a way to get a foot in the door, that will help.
Extra skills that help candidates get jobs include extra languages and cultural awareness. If you have extra languages, list them, and the level attained (use wikipedia for mastery guides).
I'd also ask around at Swinburne and other places you have worked if you want to get back in the market, as well as asking people you know in relevant fields about possible openings. Just letting people know you're looking is a good decision. Someone you know might know of something similar that suits you. Let people you know through your kids' activities that you are seeking employment. Put the word out - it may come good.
Finally, don't discount temping if you don't get this job. Temping is a great way to get flexible work immediately based directly on your skills *of the moment*, and that can be very useful for people who haven't worked in a while.
I got one really good job through a temp position years ago when I first came back from the USA and hadn't worked for a year. I got my first temp position the same day as I sat the temp test at the agency (Dorothy Farmers), and worked solidly for the next three months until being offered a full time position at a much higher salary with the Auditor General's office.
Temping can be a great way to get into the field again - or just to brush up your skills and start putting CV practicalities together again, with real, hard, recent experience. Most employers look very favourably on workers with good temping experience.
I hope what I've said is useful. Good luck, whatever you decide.
Um, one paragraph you state they'll be OK that I'm a Mum who's been out of the workforce for a while, then you say not to list anything older than three years. It'd be a pretty bare resume if I only list jobs done in that time - Swinburne is the only one, and it really doesn't address all the skills I'm wanting to advertise.
I'm not actually looking for a job right now, that was going to happen next year. But I just happened to find this job listing and saw just how perfect it was for me, hence me actually applying for it. If I don't get it, then c'est la vie, and I'll be happy at home still.
Your qualifications are always relevant. And hey - you haven't exactly been sitting idle these last few years. You were working at Swinburne within the last three years, for a start, and there were a lot of transferable skills there. And there's a whole stack of committee stuff that is entirely relevant :-)
I think you should go for it! :-)
Some of the best resumes I've seen have been one-pagers, BTW. If you get to the point about what you're capable of, they may appreciate you for it! ;-)
The key to it will be proving that your skills are up to date in every respect. *Definitely* get your CV done over by someone else, preferably professionally. I've NEVER seen a good one yet that was done by someone him/herself - and I've seen a LOT. And binned a lot when scanning through potential candidates prior to interview stage. I worked on the premise that anything that is more than three years old (unless it is a qualification) is usually irrelevant. And don't include ANYTHING from school. If I saw a swimming certificate it was straight in the bin! The applicant was clearly wasting my time.
Do you know anyone who works there? An awful lot of people get jobs through people they know (I have), and if you have some common ground or a way to get a foot in the door, that will help.
Extra skills that help candidates get jobs include extra languages and cultural awareness. If you have extra languages, list them, and the level attained (use wikipedia for mastery guides).
I'd also ask around at Swinburne and other places you have worked if you want to get back in the market, as well as asking people you know in relevant fields about possible openings. Just letting people know you're looking is a good decision. Someone you know might know of something similar that suits you. Let people you know through your kids' activities that you are seeking employment. Put the word out - it may come good.
Finally, don't discount temping if you don't get this job. Temping is a great way to get flexible work immediately based directly on your skills *of the moment*, and that can be very useful for people who haven't worked in a while.
I got one really good job through a temp position years ago when I first came back from the USA and hadn't worked for a year. I got my first temp position the same day as I sat the temp test at the agency (Dorothy Farmers), and worked solidly for the next three months until being offered a full time position at a much higher salary with the Auditor General's office.
Temping can be a great way to get into the field again - or just to brush up your skills and start putting CV practicalities together again, with real, hard, recent experience. Most employers look very favourably on workers with good temping experience.
I hope what I've said is useful. Good luck, whatever you decide.
Reply
I'm not actually looking for a job right now, that was going to happen next year. But I just happened to find this job listing and saw just how perfect it was for me, hence me actually applying for it. If I don't get it, then c'est la vie, and I'll be happy at home still.
Reply
I think you should go for it! :-)
Some of the best resumes I've seen have been one-pagers, BTW. If you get to the point about what you're capable of, they may appreciate you for it! ;-)
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment