The New Part-time Job!

Finally after all those hours of searching on the web, revising my CV, going to interviews with beautification stepped up to perhaps 10 minutes in lieu of the normal 30 seconds of getting ready time; to allow for make up, hair and dressing up in business clobber with heels to boot, I have found a new Part time job! I am hoping I've found that elusive role that will give me the optimum work/life balance.

I start next week so I've been splurging on some new business attire, now that I've ditched (actually returned) the horrendous uniform I was made to wear at my old place of work. I have had a lovely farewell morning tea today, and was given my fave - a box of choccies as a momento (of my 5 month stint) or should I say memory, as I'll have eaten them all probably by tonight.

I am looking forward to meeting some new people, challenging work, the slight possibility of career advancement in the following years and maybe a nice holiday next year once the paychecks start rolling in.

I have other dilemnas in the next few months to contemplate such as do I keep my daughter at kindy or switch back to day care. Kindy hours are not work friendly hours. Kindy is cheaper but I think our daycare is great! How many days will I work next year? Two days just at the moment which is splendid. I have the best long weekend every week - 5 days. Should I catch the bus or drive? Will I be able to fit in a gym visit which is in the same building? All my husband is thinking about is how the mortgage will look better and the house is more of a mess with the slightly longer hours!

Ahh the joys of domestic bliss.......

Is Part-Time work a dirty word?

Part time doesn’t mean lack of commitment!

Ok. So I’m a mum who had a professional career and when I set about looking for part time work I soon learnt that there aren’t a lot of roles in the workforce. I am finding the whole job hunting process a little tedious. I have been looking for that elusive "Fabulous" Part-Time role ever since my maternity leave after baby no. 1 drew to a close. I have been working but am yet to find a job that I trully enjoy more than 50% of the time. I can't really complain I guess as I do have the choice of not working full time which many mother's aren't in a financial position to make - however I have a husband that is quite happy for me to work or should I say wants me to work and our financial commitments don't look in dire straits because of this, and I do get to splurge on the kids often and myself occasionally.

I have to say that I just felt sooooo guilty the whole time after going back to work after my first child and really felt like I was missing out on something. Whilst I was pregnant and then working part-time things were definitely not the same in the workplace. There was a noticeable difference or should I say I was continually bypassed when it came to working on many of the usual aspects of my role. I had the biggest countdown of excitement to maternity leave no. 2 and loved being able to finish 6 weeks prior to our 2nd bubs arrival - to allow for a bit of "me" time which happened a lot less than I would have liked.

I also had the secret dream of not returning to work after bub no. 2. After much deliberation, discussion, tears etc. I handed in my resignation near the end of my leave but this was short lived with a new job on the horizon, the day I had finally found freedom from a very Bitchy workplace.

Whilst returning to work this time has been a much more easier transition, and I have a lot less of the guilt factor. It has given me a chance to use my brain again and dust off the vocabulary, while earning some cash to pay the bills. This new job alas has just proved the theory of "the grass is not always greener on the other side!" But I have to say I'm glad I moved on from my previous place of work as I can imagine I would be ten times more miserable had I have gone back to the same old same old.

This leads me to my stress and frustration of looking for another role. Now I know from the types of jobs that are advertised in my area of expertise Part-Time is virtually unheard of. Agencies promise on one hand several interested companies but these jobs don't seem to come to fruition! I don't want to go to any more interviews with Agencies. I want real job interviews, with real employers! And what's with this new era of advertising but not even listing the potential employer! This seems to be trying to protect the agencies fees! The hunt continues...more seeking and seeking on seek.com.au and more interviews which require too much hardwork finding someone to look after the kids, timing it with sleeps, getting ready, wearing uncomfortable high heels, parking in the CBD of Brisvegas. Wish me luck!