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I'm not job hunting but...

19th Oct 2013
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In my last blog, I mentioned that my priorities had changed and I was happy staying at home, but the next day, I got a phone call from a recruitment agent saying they had a part time job available and I almost jumped at the chance! I’m not quite sure what’s going on there.  I honestly thought I was looking forward to a life of dirty nappies, cleaning and cooking for a few years.  I didn’t hear again from them so nothing really came of it in the end.  Either way it got me thinking and browsing the job market again. The opportunities for part time jobs are quite small if you look on recruitment websites and most want you to do a minimum of four full days. I guess the more you work, the more commission the recruitment agent gets, so they will push you to do more hours but if there was a job that was more flexible and maybe even job share I might consider it.  I wouldn’t even mind doing four full days, if I could do part of it from home in the evening after the girls have gone to sleep. I’m still not 100% sure how committed I am to finding a job but maybe if the right opportunity came along, I might go for it.

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By coolmanwithbeard
20th Oct 2013 07:02

It's more of a ramble than on a particular subject...

I'm a sole trader working from home and I have two part time staff members. Both work an approximate number of hours a week (it's about a day each but it varies). They are both mums (they have a 4 year old and a 5 year old) and my mantra is there is some work to be done as long as its done I'm happy. If their child is ill they ring me and they will come at a different time. I have some cloud clients so they could work from home but they both like getting out of the house - even if its only into my house. One has AAT4 and the other is studying that having passed AAT3.

For me they're ideal they're flexible and hardworking and want to learn and had both struggled (like many others who take AAT at our local college if the number of CVs I get is anything to go by) to get any work, maybe as they had never had a job in accounting, maybe because local accountants have enough staff I don't know.

I guess my point is that whether it's sub contracting or employment there is an appeal to just having the income and less responsibility. Sadly I'm not sure how many flexible employers there are but in these days of 24 hour shopping and internet working there is no reason why more people couldn't work whatever hours they wanted. My only restriction is that they share a desk and computer so it's best if they come in at different times, but even then there's the kitchen table and a trusty laptop.

There's also nothing wrong with a bit of mix and match - nothing to stop you have some employment, some subcontracting and some of your own clients. Forget the agencies and perhaps contact local accountants direct you never know there might be someone who will jump at the chance to get someone capable and experienced who can be flexible. Who cares what it's called if your doing something you like and getting properly paid and t fits in with your home life...

 

Mike

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By tracey2412
25th Oct 2013 13:22

more rambling

agencies are a nightmare in my opinion - they want you to register, then offer you positions which either don't exist or are unsuitable & unless they want something from you, communication is generally poor.

But that's my experience / opinion, I admit there are a lot of people for whom they do obviously work.

Rant Over.

Would be interested in knowing how coolmanwithbeard found his part timers as I will be looking for similar hopefully beginning of next year and am apprehensive about finding the right person. You sound to have it sussed?

 

and lilac1 - you're obviously an intelligent person (sincerely meant, not at all being condescending, I promise - I have been in your position!) so am sure you will make right choice for you & your family whatever & whenever opportunities arise.

My mum once gave me some good advice:

work to live, not live to work - I do try, but is very difficult to remember sometimes!

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By coolmanwithbeard
25th Oct 2013 14:03

finding staff

Hi Tracey

Sadly (for you at least) both my staff were known to me in other spheres before I employed them but it is worth putting out feelers with friends, family, contacts as these can be some of the best contacts.

Failing that your local FE college will be running AAT courses and anyone daft enough to pay for AAT to level 4 themselves with no experience already has the capacity to do well. Most will be happy with a trial period but will need a fair amount of your time as "it's not like the book here" no back page to look for the answer. We recognise this with a low starting salary and only part time and it works well for me. AAT will give you a good theoretical ground to build the practicalities on. If someone's part way through your job may give them enough to turn it into an apprenticeship which means they get their tuition free which adds to their income from you.

I did but an ad in the job centre once - very bad move lol suddenly all sorts of unlikely people want to be accounts clerks "I've been in the army and a security guard but I always fancied something to do with numbers"

Feel free to PM me if I've missed anything

 

Mike

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By tracey2412
25th Oct 2013 14:36

thanks

you gave me a smile at the end!! I know exactly what you mean - not their fault, job centre makes them apply for anything!

Yes, I think our local college has a noticeboard for students. And I have a contact there so that may well be my best bet. 

Apprentices aren't an option at the moment as they have to be paid for 30+hours & they MUST be supervised at all times. That doesn't work when I need help that is capable of being left to its own devices to release me to gain extra value work.

Its harder than you think trying to be an employer! But harder still when its your own reputation & business at stake. But I will persevere.

Thank you very much for the advice.

 

 

 

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By johnporter
27th Oct 2013 01:10

finding staff

The answer to the Job Centre one is simple the We are all in it together party or as I

call the Take from the poor & give to the rich Party declared that to get job seekers allowance you must apply for millions of jobs per week suitable or otherwise or lose your benefit 

despite in some cases having worked & contributed for 40 years or you get nothing 

There again this has to do with Bonuses the Staff get from not paying out what the they should or used to be entitle dot having paid NI for years.

But I suppose the Tories & Lib Dems have to suck into the rich Bankers etc so they might get voted in next time (god help the Poor.

Rumour has it that the coalition have already booked there place in the Burny fire when they go in case the poor try to get in first

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