The Admin Question

Further to yesterday's discussion with the job centre I have just applied for a 16 hours a week clerical position in a school. I have applied because it is 16 hours and pays. I could still do the volunteering role and earn nearly enough to live off. But I dont think I will get the job.

This was something the advisor said was putting up barriers. I call it being realistic. Because short of lying at the interview (and even then it would be barely believable) I am going to harpoon my own candiacy.

The question an employer asks when you go for jobs in which you are over qualified is of course why. You can state that its good experience, you just want to be working or even that you want to work in a school, but that wont be the end of it and they will press you. The employer wants someone loyal. They dont want to fill a job only to need to fill it again in a few months and you represent a risk.

The duties are after all basic. There is no benefit to having someone with business experience doing the filing, inputting data and supporting the admin staff. They know you wont be around for long. You know it, they know it. Ambition in these roles is not necessarily a virtue when what the employer wants is someone steady and reliable. So here comes the million dollar question.

Say, six months down the line you are offered a marketing position in another firm would you take it?

You're trapped. They know it's what you are ultimately after and where your ambition lies. Even if you say no, its obvious you'd want the position and would resent having to turn it down. Its a no win situation. One pulled on me twice so far in admin interviews. If you say yes it shows you represent a risk, that you will leave sooner rather than later down the line. The amusing thing about this is the more impressed with you they are, the more they are likely to worry about losing you.

This is from experience btw. Advice on how to bypass this issue is welcome. I admit its something I struggle to get my head around.