Job Stuff

[brandiewine11]

Short Version: What would you say to a potential employer about why you are looking for a job that is "less" than you were doing before? How do you communicate that in a cover letter so you actually get a call back?

Long Version: For almost 10 years I worked in medical device marketing. My "next job" would technically be a director level position. 3 years ago, when I was pregnant with R, I was "laid off" - yeah, right.....While I was looking for work, I did a lot of contracting and R1 started traveling a lot and got a promotion. So we decided I would continue with contracting part time and stay home.

We're ok financially but would like to have more extra cash for savings, vacations, etc. Because of that, I'm looking for a more steady part time job, still in the marketing field. It will allow me to have both boys in daycare part time (2-3 days a week) while having a more steady income. 

I can't and do not want to go back to what I was doing before or go after that next level job that recruiters always call me about. I'm looking at positions that are a lot more mid-level, for small companies, no travel, etc. 

How do you convey to an employer that you want to take a step back in your career, but will still work hard, etc? I think in person it's not so bad, but what do you say in a cover letter so they actually will call you back?

I feel like this always gives a negative impression. I want to work, just not 80 hours a week with 50% travel.

[piccyami]

When I was looking for a new job, I was leaving because I worked for sexist, racist old white men that paid my husband, who had less education than me more than they paid me. My cover letters definitely focused on the fact that the research I had done showed that the company had a good work-life balance and the atmosphere of the company was huge for me. I was also looking to move into a position that was different than what I had started out in.

[stringy]

I think it's okay to blatantly say you are looking for part time work. I'm sure it depends on the field but in my field we would pretty easily deduce that an applicant of our age bracket (based on graduation dates if they are there) is probably doing exactly what you are- which is pretty common these days. Not just for families- but I feel there are a fair share of people who don't want to be in the rat race and are looking for more flexible environments.

Would job you are applying to be listed as part time? I think a lot may just come on your end of applying to jobs where you think it meets the criteria and then figuring it out during an interview. They will also see that you haven't been working at that level for a few years.

Sorry that response is all over the place.