SAHD Back to Work - Advice Requested!

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  DarthAntz on 26/03/2019 - 13:17

  +4

  I was once in the position where the job references came up. The people/management at my previous job I wouldnt consider the type of people to use for a reference. My reference was someone from years ago who was the best person to give me a reference, and the people in the interview understood that. Don't let it be a hinderance and its perfectly normal to have the skill set that you do without the references. But do get someone, a previous colleague, employer or someone you have spent a lot of time together with achieving a goal.

  What skill set do you have that is unique and difficult to replace? This is what you promote first. Being a SAHD can only appeal to other people in the industry who have also had your experience, and they are probably not managers or recruiters. Its probably best to forego mentioning this unless you are asked. You've spent the time studying and refining your skill in micromanagement and following goals set to master your skills in education and academia.

  Get your time in to Deakin and see if you can volunteer first. Spend a day or two a week over a set amount of time and you'll soon have a reference or two. Ask your friends/neighbours/family about employment opportunities at work. Word of mouth is more effective in finding a job than sending off the resumes IMO.

  • 

    o53djz7qTPY4der on 26/03/2019 - 13:22

    This is an excellent response and very well thought out.

    Thank you for the advice, all of which is great!

    • 

      DarthAntz on 26/03/2019 - 14:00

      No problem Xiongmao.

      Please let us all know that you have been successful. Get the outcome you desire.

• 

  toniyellow on 26/03/2019 - 14:31

  +4

  Universities are very supportive of parental leave and flexibility once you are in. I think if you made it to an interview no-one would have a problem with a career break in your past. The problem is not getting out-competed by others.

  The competition for permanent academic roles, and the rise of casual teaching staff gets a lot of press but I don’t think as many people realise it can also be very difficult to get a permanent professional/general staff role in a university.

  There have been a lot of funding cuts, enrolment freezes and uncertainty about future cuts (such as the efficiency dividend that is meant to kick in from 2020) in the past few years that cut the budget for the whole university, not just teaching staff, and most roles you will see advertised are contract / casual. Once a permanent role is finally advertised, literally hundreds of people will apply, even for a HEW5. There will be people who have been in casual roles for years and are trying to go permanent, and PhDs who haven’t been able to get an academic role and try for general staff roles instead, particularly anyone whose PhD was on a topic of student support, learning design, anything higher ed.

  There may just be people with a lot more experience, or higher qualifications, or both, applying to the same roles as you, and they are the ones making it to interview. How many roles have you applied for? At what HEW level? Have you asked for feedback on why you are not progressing?

  If you are not already subscribed, this newsletter https://campusmorningmail.com.au is one way to keep in touch with the current climate in higher ed. If there is a change in federal government and there are policy changes, or if there is an economic downturn and enrolments rise, the competition may decrease, but at the moment it is pretty high. I think if you want a permanent role, particularly anything at higher HEW level, it will be very difficult. I'm not saying give up, but you may need to start with casual and try to work your way up,.

  I have no idea about vocational ed, that may be less competitive.

  • 

    phraser on 26/03/2019 - 15:08

    +1

    +1 to the above. My partner had to shift internationally once and interstate twice, each time doing contract work only, before finally landing a permanent higher education job (in a regional centre, in a state that I don't have good job prospects in). The sector is a challenging place to get permanent/full time work. Think about casual tutoring, or moving into another sector. Can you work in state, federal or local government? A lot of the skills are transferable, and government tends to be parent-friendly in their HR policies.

    • 

      o53djz7qTPY4der on 26/03/2019 - 15:24

      Again, another terrific response. We're in a similar situation, we moved here for partner's work - my job prospects are less optimistic, however.

      Thanks for the sage advice.

      • 

        phraser on 26/03/2019 - 15:27

        +1

        Also, I see you're in linguistics - sort of related to what my partner does. If you have skills in transcription/conversation analysis you may be able to do that from home for people from anywhere in the country. Some researchers don't have time to do their own transcriptions, so casual/contract work is available doing that.

        • 

          o53djz7qTPY4der on 26/03/2019 - 15:28

          @phraser: That's certainly food for thought.

          I should also add; I've worked extensively overseas in Asia and the Middle East. I'm not averse to returning but it's not ideal