Q&A to help you back to work

CareerMums responds to career questions on a daily basis - either by email or on the phone. We are going to start collecting these questions and responses to assist other CareerMums users who may be faced with the same career / work challenge.

 - Employment conditions -

Q. I haven't worked in a "proper" paid job since 2005 when I ceased fulltime work to have my family. This is my first foray back into the workforce (hopefully). As my previous career was mainly in government roles as a public servant, I took awards, leave conditions and superannuation for granted. I am in need of information regarding employment conditions /super/ etc when working for a small business or even a one-man-band business. This position I applied for was advertised with an hourly rate. Things I am unsure of include:

• is an employer required to pay super (by law)?
• is an employer required to pay sick leave / holiday leave / etc (by law)?
• is there such a thing as "cash in hand" jobs with a simple hourly rate these days? Are they allowed? How do I handle it if that's what I'm offered?

Are you able to enlighten me on these topics or can you please point me in the right direction to obtain such information? I feel a bit "out of it" regarding what to expect regarding employment conditions and would like to gain some knowledge about this. Your advice would be much appreciated.

A. I suggest the following resources:

• Call the ATO with your questions – you can call them 24/7
  
• Review the new 10 national employment standards
  

Employers must pay superannuation if it is a permanent role. If you are freelancing and are being paid an agreed hourly rate, you need to build in superannuation into your rate. Be careful of ‘cash in hand’ jobs. Talk to the ATO and make sure your questions are thoroughly answered.

Definitely make it a point to know your rights and entitlements before agreeing to employment.

Don’t lose your confidence. Review your resume and focus on your core strengths and skills. Translate any non –paid work into ‘work-speak’. Don’t dwell on the kids in the interview. Be clear on your flexibility requirements and speak positively about yourself. Getting a job is all about a transaction – your skills for an agreed amount of money.

Choose your outfit a few days before your interview. Be comfortable and make sure you feel professional.

- Subsidied study options -

Q. Are you aware of any financial assistance or grants in NSW for study course help? I know in VIC the government has a returning to work/study grant. I don't qualify for Austudy. Can you point me in the direction of any resources/information in this area?

A. I recommend that you look at the Productivity Places Program. The Government are heavily subsiding certain courses. Depending on the training provider in your area, you can learn flexibly as well. You will need to pay for some of the course but the subsidisation is very high. You can search for Registered Training Organisations in your area and view what courses they are offering. You can also look at our training page for ideas.

- Negotiating school hours -

Q. I have been employed part time, 3 days a week for a private business that has been recently sold. I am a single mum with one child at 4 year old kinder and daycare, who is starting school next year. How should I negotiate with the new business owners school hours for next year?

A. What you need to do is established the facts. Visit www.fairwork.gov.au to look at the latest employment laws. Also, review your work contract. Next, create a business case proposal to work flexibly – perhaps school hours for 5 days per week (e.g. between 9-3 for 3 days per week and 2 full days using after school care). Think about your job role and how you can work to this schedule. Also review your key skills and why it is important to retain you – outlining your previous performance. See our information on how to negotiate flexibility. 

Importantly, don’t act like it is owed to you. Make a huge effort to communicate in a professional manner with the new employers.

- Letting your manager know you want an extra 12 months of leave -

Q. I am due to return to work in jan 2010 (after 1 year leave) and have been thinking of trying to extend my maternity leave for another 12 months. I will be writing a letter to my employer requesting an extra 12 months. Can you please give me some hints/tips on what to say in the letter. Thanks for your help and keep up the great work with your web site, love it!!!

A. If you would like to extend your period of leave, you are now entitled by law to take an extra 12 months. Visit www.fairwork.gov.au and view the 10 National Employment Standards. One of them directly refers to parents having the right to take up to 24 months of parental leave. The extra 12 months is unpaid.

If you are keen to eventually return to your employer, I suggest that you also mention how you would like to stay in touch with work to keep your skills up to date. This may mean attending a team meeting once every month and participating in internal courses and events. You may also want to offer your services for ad-hoc consulting work depending on your profession. This could be a great way to earn extra income from home from time-to-time and stay in touch.

- Group Interviews -

Q. I have applied for a job in the retail industry and have been accepted to attend a group assessment on Wednesday afternoon.  I am very nervous as I have not been to an interview in a very long time.  All they have told us with the process is that there will be observers watching the candidates. 

My feeling is that they obviously want to see how you interact with other people but I am not sure what else to expect and if I should mention flexibility at the end or just wait and see if I progress to the next stage.  I realize with the retail industry that it is a seven day week and of course there is every possibility of working week-ends but I do not want to work every week-end as it would hinge on the family time.  Of course my main aim is to work school hours but I know that’s impossible. Any advice you could give me would be really beneficial as I said I am really nervous.

A. A few things for a group interview (I conduct group interviews):

• Don’t be nervous. You are assessing them just as much as they are assessing you.

• Show interest, ensure eye contact at all times, friendly smile, engage with the facilitator when required.

• Dress: simple and smart casual. Maybe stockings, shoes, dress, jacket – or pants and jacket. Try to go with the style of the retail brand you are being interviewed by.

• Ask if there is anything you can prepare for before hand. Also ask what you need to being. This shows initiative.

• For the one-on-one interview, you may be asked the usual questions like ‘why do you want to work for us?’, ‘What do you want to achieve in your career?’, ‘What other experience do you have working in retail?’ etc etc.

• Just be yourself. That is all you can be. Do some research on the brand before hand and think up maybe 2-3 questions to ask to show interest. Wait for appropriate moment to ask questions.

With regard to flexibility, you have to be clear what you can and can’t do. And stick to it. More and more retailers are offering flexibility to good candidates. Play on the fact that you are older, wider, experienced, can handle difficult situations, potentially a loyal employee etc etc.
 
Also, aim for the impossible. Let them know your ideal hours of work. Then have a back-up plan – what is the next best option? Say, that over time you may be able to offer more time, but in the meantime, this is all you can do. If they don’t hire you based on the hours you can do, it is not worth working for them anyway. You will be unhappy and resentful working hours that you don’t want to work.
 
Be polite and honest about what you can do. Don’t apologise.

  - Asking for flexibility -

Q. I've read on your website to never discount a full-time job as many employers will consider making it part-time if you are the right candidate. My question is, when is the best time to ask about the possibility of only working part-time?
 
I've recently applied for a full-time position which is a 9 day fortnight but I would prefer to work a maximum of 4 days a week. I haven't been contacted for an interview but if I am, is during the first interview the right time to broach the subject? And what is the best way to go about it?

A. It is never too soon to ask. In fact, if that is your limit, I would ask the employer if it is still worth coming for an interview (if you are asked) based on your flexibility requirements. The other option is to ask if you can work half a day from home each week as an alternative to making up a 9 day fortnight.  You could do these extra hours in the evenings.
 
Be clear on your suitability to the role, your flexibility requirements, and your salary expectations. If this role is not a good fit, move on. There will be plenty of other roles that will perfect for you.

 - Job Share -

Q. I have just accepted a job share role, I have never job shared before - are there guidelines or hints that you can provide to assist me!

A. Congratulations on accepting a job share role. I hear of some really positive experiences when it comes to job sharing. What seems to make a successful job sharing role are the following:

• Both of you are of similar age

• Both of you share similar experience and skill sets

• Both of you communicate well and get on well

It is critical to really SHARE the role. If one person turns up for the second half of the week and has to finish the other person’s work from the start of the week, it will not be an effective partnership.  Also, make sure you have a cross over period so you can brief each other on the status of your projects/tasks.
 
Refer to the following web page for more information on job sharing: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/staff/balance/flexible/job-share/

 - Further Study -

Q. I would like to find out more information on which course you might think would be suitable for me to hopefully assist me in the future when I do return to the workforce.  We are also looking to move from Victoria to Queensland so an online course would be ideal for me.

A. There are so many courses out there – really it depends on your affordability, time, and desired skills you want to learn/develop.
 
Have a look at our Training web page for ideas.
 
A few key questions you need to ask yourself:

• What do you want to do?

• What are you good at?

• What are your core skills?

• What are your skill gaps to do what you want to do?

• What is the best way for you to learn and juggle family responsibilities? Online, face-to-face etc.

You could consider volunteer/charity work in the meantime to build your network of contacts. If you want to work from home, think about what skills you can offer, make sure you have a home office, and learn how to market yourself. Do a search on google for ‘Virtual Assistants’ or ‘Virtual Consultants’ to get some ideas.
 
Above all, don’t forget the value of the ‘unpaid work’ you are currently undertaking – parenting. Be proud of it and don’t lose your self confidence.

 - Finding quality part time roles -

Q. For the past couple of months I have been trying to find a way back into work after a few years at home with my young children.  As we moved from Sydney to Brisbane just before my first was born, it has made it harder to find a job as I don't have as many contacts locally.   The main issues that I am having are:

• Finding quality part time work - all jobs at my level of experience are full time and although I always ask if the employer is willing to consider part time, I have yet to find one that is interested;

• which leads to my 2nd issue, which is that I have applied for positions for which I am over-qualified (admin type roles) but am very happy to do and would enjoy but haven't been able to convince agencies or employees that I am suitable for the roles as they seem to think I would get bored;

• so... I have started looking at full time roles at a similar level to my last position.  I have had 2 interviews but both times although I got positive feedback, they decided to go with someone with 'more recent work experience'. 

Could you please help.

A. You are not alone in your challenge of finding fulfilling part time work. It is an issue, particularly for people who are re-entering the workplace. Women who return to an employer can often negotiate a part time role doing the same work they have been doing.
 
So what can you do about it?
 
Have a game plan and stick to it. Define what you are looking for and how flexible you can be then go and find it. Approach employers directly that you may like to work with. Pitch your worth directly. When it comes to dealing with recruiters, read our tips so that you stop wasting your time with people who are not going to help you: http://www.careermums.com.au/content/workingmums_tips_recruiters

There are employers out there who want you. Perhaps offer yourself as a consultant or contractor and be hired into a business that way. Offer a trial period to prove that it can work. Add you name to the CareerMums candidate database so prospective employers can find you as well.
 
Consider going to some networking events in your industry. Talk to a local business council and see what events are coming up. There may be opportunities opened up to you. Keep your spirits up. You have a national skills shortage and an ageing population on your side. Work it!