Caring

[MarkF]

I am 52 and have just sold my share in a business, I've electrical engineering and IT qualifications only and I've always worked in an industrial/commercial environment, for money, never had any enjoyment/pleasure, never had the satisfaction that I was doing something useful.

I've wangled an interview via "life experience", that is employing people, junior football coaching, caring for a parent with Alzheimers and "helping" a local man with learning disabilities. The position is helping people with learning disabilities to live in their own home, then get them out and about to meet people and do "things", seek possible employment, basically widen their horizons.

My kids are all "old" teenagers now, I have no debts and have paid the house off, now I can try and be useful. The money is rubbish but I really want this position, the Trust have talked to me and checked me out but I am at a disadvantage without relevant qualifications, worse, I've never had an interview in my life.

Any advice?

 

[ianrauk]

I have no advice Mark apart from to say and judging by your post. Just be yourself at the interview and you'll swing it no problem.
What a great outlook in life you have to take a job like that. All the very best of luck to you.

I am planning on doing the same, but when I am 55, my pension matures, Mortgage will be paid off. Get paid out from this company and go do something more worthwhile and fulfilling instead.

 

[Shaun]

Sometimes a complete departure from what you've "always done" can be refreshing, especially if there's less pressure and/or you get more job satisfaction; look at the guy on the telly who works with the gorillas at ZSL - left a well paid city finance job to take less money, work longer hours, but loves his job and gets much more satisfaction from what he's doing now.

Presumably you're looking at this from the point of view of helping others to have a more fulfilling life and to get some pleasure from your daily work? If that's the case, just tell them that at the interview. If you've got good social and communications skills, and are a patient and compassionate person, then you've got a good bit of what you'll need - the rest you can learn as you go along.

Good luck, and I hope it works out for you.

 

[SteCenturion]

Liking both of your posts here Mark & Ian, although I have to admit that you must be better people than I.

Can't see that I would ever be in a position to help (long, long hours & retirement at 67 possibly).

Maybe could do some sports coaching or something for kids or dog walking for elderly or disabled, I don't know, will take some thought.

 

[CopperBrompton]

My kids are all "old" teenagers now, I have no debts and have paid the house off, now I can try and be useful. The money is rubbish but I really want this position

I'd say exactly that.

Ben

 

[summerdays]

I think the teen part is easily relevant, trying to persuade them/support them doing things that they aren't totally sure they want to or have fears about trying. My friend has a son on the autistic spectrum and he has someone that comes most afternoons. They gradually built up the trust, and have just being going out on walks or playing badminton, and giving him some time away from the family to have a bit of independence. It was a rocky relationship to start with as he didn't really want to be enticed to leave the house, but through the patience of the man he has gradually widened the horizons of my friend's son and I think he does enjoy the time, though does get a little worried about it too. They aren't of a similar age as there is probably a 20 year gap in age between them.

 

[MarkF]

Thanks for the replies. User, any other good advice for my interview would be greatly appreciated.

I've been "earning" towards this point for a decade or so. Cycling played a huge part, I was a big, lardy, office bound 40 year old before starting again, it had a huge positive impact on my mental, not just my physical health and I re-evaluated everything in my life and, I've totally changed.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Stuff like this is where cyclechat shows itself to be completely fuggin brilliant!

 

[craigwend]

Question 1 - tell us about your , 'skills qualities & abilities ' ( i.e. tell us about : you ,life experience, transferable skills & 'attitude / ethics ' ...
Question another - Safegaurding adults question
Question another - Risk question / positive risk & ensuring safety
Question basic knowledge about ; patient / client / service user / customer ... (people) you are working with ...
Question about (broad knowledge) about guidance legislation
Question about 'supervision ' ...

Erm some others ...

Good luck