Employment!

Finally, finally, after far too long being unemployed, I have a job!


I've been unemployed for quite a long time.  I submitted my PhD thesis in November 2013 and started applying for jobs.  Because I hadn't yet had my viva I was limited in the jobs I could apply for, as I hadn't yet passed my PhD.  My viva was in March, I passed with minor corrections and eventually had the whole thing signed off and issued with a certificate in July.  During the first half of 2014 I was working on my viva prep and then my corrections, invigilating at a local school and applying for a handful of jobs but always bearing in mind that I needed to spend quite a bit of time in Durham and get my PhD finally finished, which did constrain me slightly.  Oh, and I had jury service to do too.  

When my PhD was all signed off the job applications started in earnest.  I applied for jobs in East Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex and London.  I applied to jobs which were a ten minute walk from my flat to jobs which would be two hours of travelling each way.  I applied for jobs which required a PhD and jobs which didn't require a PhD and all sorts of jobs in between.  I applied for full time jobs, part time jobs, permanent contracts, temporary contracts and maternity leave cover.  I applied for jobs with universities, charities, local councils, schools, and general organisations.  I registered with recruitment agencies.  I did quite a lot of invigilating and admin work at the school, but this was only ever a few hours here and there (although I am very grateful they offered me hours whenever they could!).

I had six interviews, which I'll write about in another blog post.  The usual feedback I got was that I would be very good in the role, however another candidate has more experience so that's why I wasn't selected.

In the meantime, my savings were dwindling (because Ben and I have a joint tenancy agreement and he earns over £15,000 a year I wasn't entitled to Job Seeker's Allowance) and I felt a bit like a housewife, staying at home during the day whilst my partner went out to earn a living.  I tried to use my time as wisely as possible, applying for jobs, cooking and cleaning, reading, doing lots of stuff for Brownies and Post Pals, but it was hard.  I'm so used to being busy, working towards goals and feeling worthwhile, that not doing these things did make me sad.  Add in being rejected after an interview or companies who don't even acknowledge your application form, and it was tough.  

I'm naturally a very happy, optimistic person and I have always tried to remain positive and to keep smiling - I've had the support of Ben and my family and I've tried to ensure I've used my time wisely - I've improved my knitting skills, I've read a great deal, I've done voluntary work, I've not just sat on the sofa and watched day time TV (well, I watched television whilst knitting, but that's not the point!).  But it is hard to be rejected, it is hard not being able to plan anything as I didn't know when I'd have an income and the freedom to be able to do things again.  It is especially hard being rejected because I didn't have experience - how am I supposed to gain experience if no one will employ me?!

Thankfully, an employer has seen the potential in me!  I had an interview at the end of March at a university here in the south, for a research position using all the skills I developed during my PhD.  Quite frankly, the job sounded perfect for me.  Much as I wanted a job, any job, I particularly wanted this one.

I had a phone call a few days later to say the first choice candidate had accepted the job, but only wanted part time hours, so they could offer another candidate part time hours too.  They couldn't decide between me and another candidate, so could I go back for an 'informal chat'?

I did indeed go back for an informal chat and had a phone call on the train home to say they think I'd make an excellent addition to the team.  I am so excited and so so pleased!  This department has seen my potential, acknowledged my lack of post-PhD experience and offered me a job!

Yes, it's only part time - but it's a foot in the door.  It's going to be over an hour of travelling each way, but I've got a well-stocked Kindle ready for the train journeys.  

I am so grateful I've been offered this job and I am incredibly excited about starting this week.  I'm finally going to feel as though I am contributing to society again.  And when Ben and I get home from work and ask each other about our days, I'll be able to say more than I went to the shop to buy some milk and knitted a few more rounds of sock!

Comments

  1. Well done & good luck! Looking forward to hearing more about it all ( in as much as you can say on the World Wide Web...!)

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  2. I'm so excited/happy for you! (is that weird, to be so happy for an internet 'stranger'?) I find the whole post-PhD job market weird, Thomas is finishing up his thesis to submit in September and wants to stay working in academia as a lecturer. Easy, right? Well, no... everywhere he talks to needs him to have his PhD first, so that's months after his funding runs out waiting for his viva and making any corrections before he can even apply. It's so frustrating. Anyway - rant over. Good luck tomorrow!

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    1. Ah, there are some lovely internet strangers out there! Thomas' situation sounds so familiar. You need a PhD, but between submitting and viva could be three months, then three months for minor corrections (and longer for major corrections) and then applying for jobs when you've passed. Hopefully Thomas will be done quickly!

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  3. Good luck! I'm sure you'll be fab! Jonny's currently in the process of writing up his PhD whilst working full time/applying for new jobs when his contract runs out in a few months. I completely relate to the job search frustrations too - the feeling when you finally get a job is so lovely! Have a wonderful day tomorrow!

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    1. It is a pretty good feeling! Hope all goes well with Jonny's writing up - the end is in sight!

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  4. Congratulations! I am so happy for you. i totally understand a lot of this as only two weeks ago I was saying the exact same thing, this: "The usual feedback I got was that I would be very good in the role, however another candidate has more experience so that's why I wasn't selected." omg was that frustrating! Good luck for your first week :)

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    1. Thank you! Can't wait to get started and finally start accumulating this experience everyone wants!

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  5. Wow, well done you! Congrats on the new job, sounds like it's perfect

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    1. Thank you :-) I'm glad I'm going to be able to use all my PhD research skills!

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  6. Congratulations my dear. I'm so happy for you, it sounds really interesting and week hopefully really kick start things for you job wise. X

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    1. Thank you! I just want to get going now! Got my staff email address today, so I am official!

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  7. Congratulations! And well done for staying positive! My daughter and her husband had to move in with us having got their Masters degrees and spent 18 months desperately applying for all sorts of jobs. Last summer they made the difficult decision to accept a (temporary) job and a university place in different cities. Hopefully this summer they will be able to be live together again - or maybe they will have to move back with us!!

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    1. Thank you! I hope all goes well for your daughter and son-in-law and that they can live together again soon!

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  8. Congratulations! I hope you have (had) a great start and enjoy everything you do at the new job! I can relate to how great this feels because I am in the same situation - minus the job offer. Well done!

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    1. Thank you! I really enjoyed this week, lots to learn and do (and so many names!) but it all sounds really exciting. Fingers crossed that you get a job you want soon!

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  9. Yay huge congratulations lady! Exciting times ahead! :-) xx

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