Sital Ruparelia

One of the first lessons I was taught when I began learning comedy improvisation 5 years ago was the principle of “being average and having lots of goes.”

Because it’s your willingness to be average, have lots of goes and make mistakes that ultimately helps you succeed on stage.

Not only does this principle apply when performing on stage without a script. It also applies to many aspects of our life and work too.

For example, just think about the 5 phases you go through when learning to cook a meal:  

1. You have a go (you cook something)
2. You fail (burn it or make a tasteless dish)
3. You learn from the failure (identify why you burnt it or why it was inedible)
4. You implement the learning (adjust your cooking approach)
5. You have more goes until you improve and master the art of cooking

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QUESTION

“Sital, what’s the best way to secure part-time work for back to work mums? There seems to be nothing around and I keep getting rejected. What do you suggest?” 

MY ANSWER

Before I answer the question, let me make you aware of some quick points worth bearing in mind about finding part-time work.

Some quick points about part-time employment

• Part-Time vacancies are often not advertised

A large proportion of part-time roles are not advertised – they’re simply filled by contacts and referrals. In some segments of the market,  75% of part-time roles are filled via employee referrals

• Part-Time vacancies are often created for a particular person

A significant number of part-time roles are created after an employer or business leaders comes across someone. E.g. The business have a need, but not a vacancy. We then come across an old contact or referral with the skills and experience we need – so we create a part-time role for them.

• You need to be work harder to find part-time employment

If you’re after part time work, you need be more proactive than most job seekers.

Whilst there are some exceptions in certain industries (e.g. retail, catering and hospitality sectors), on the whole, there is a huge demand for part-time work but simply not the supply of opportunities. So you’ll have to work harder and be much smarter in your approach than others (i.e. spending a couple of hours a day applying for jobs online is not enough).

The 7 Strategies

So bearing these points in mind – here are some suggestions for mums looking for part time work:

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Having spent the last 3 weeks in sunny Hong Kong and a very humid Singapore, I thought the UK weather would give me a shock to the system when I arrived back home.

But the weather has been very mild in the UK.

What has been a shock though is the general doom and gloom about the new year. Having spent 3 weeks in Asia, I’ve found the papers, the media and the general mood in the UK pretty depressing to say the least.

But despite the depressing predictions it’s worth pointing out that what happens to you this year is not wholly dependent on the economy.

It very much depends on YOU do. It can be the worst year yet – or the best. It all depends on how you think and act.

So as we begin a new year,  here are some questions for you to think about:

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 In November 1993 my first boss in my first job as a management trainee with the retailer Marks  & Spencer told me:

 ”Sital, the next 6 weeks will dictate your success next year. The respect and credibility you earn  (or don’t earn) with the teams you’re leading will have a profound effect on your success next  year.

He was right.

Aside from the fact that, as a retailer, this was the busiest time of year – the goodwill I built by  attending every social event, wearing silly santa hats when asked to and putting my hand in my  own pocket to buy drinks and small presents for my team helped me strengthen my relationships  with the people I was leading.

 In November 2000  I was working as a recruiter in London’s financial district when my boss told me:

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 Seen a job advertised which you like the sound of?

 - Get your application in now, not later

 Have an idea for a new business away from the day job?

- Get it off the ground on a small scale quickly

 Been passed a new lead or contact?

- Follow up and make the call immediately without delay 

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This week we finally launch my brand new internet based TV show – “Career Management TV” (the first episode of CMTV airs tomorrow).

I’m excited (and also a little bit scared!). Which is always a sign that you’re doing something important.

Below is a quick “What? Why? How?’ along with some lessons and questions which may apply to you.

WHAT IS CMTV?

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It’s summer, everyone is away and nothing happens right?