Thanks for the replies - some good points Stef, and much along my lines of thought. Deadly - my reasons are exactly the same as yours. I want to do archaeology because it's what I enjoy and I am desperate to get my foot in the door. I could make much more money in my former career in accounts, but earning money being bored 24/7 is not for me. Stef's point about being over qualified is undoubtedly true, and that alone really sucks. If I was not serious then I would not apply. As an employer, if I could get someone with a PhD "on the cheap" I would ask him/her in person why they are applying and state the potential problems, but far too many people in recruitment are too blinkered to think about this.
To get started again and get "recent experience" I am prepared to start low and work my way up, and have made it clear to prospective employers why I want the position. I am a good team person who is prepared to learn/relearn from people younger than me. I am also flexible and would work anywhere in the country, have no ties etc. But over qualification is perhaps by biggest problem - research is not an option due to age (I applied for a research position at Oxford and was not given an interview because of this) so I would research in my spare time and teach to supplement income.
Committed - yes. Googling myself - I am a famous American footballer :0) but I have organised study tours to Egypt (which is my speciality area, perhaps this counts against me but even so the techniques used are similar to the UK), spoken at conferences and have done dancing competitions (maybe not dazzling like Fred Astaire..) so no dodgy CVs there.
IFA and the CSCS card - I would gladly invest in both but not until I have the position I am looking for, as it costs a fair bit.
Monty - I never put age on a CV, but they do work it out when you list your education and employment dates on the application form.
Gnome - I agree entirely. When I phoned up for info on one position advertised here I explained my current situation, and was told immediately, "you seem over qualified for this job". I did not even get an interview. As a mature student I got on with my class as I treated them as equals.
Rich
To get started again and get "recent experience" I am prepared to start low and work my way up, and have made it clear to prospective employers why I want the position. I am a good team person who is prepared to learn/relearn from people younger than me. I am also flexible and would work anywhere in the country, have no ties etc. But over qualification is perhaps by biggest problem - research is not an option due to age (I applied for a research position at Oxford and was not given an interview because of this) so I would research in my spare time and teach to supplement income.
Committed - yes. Googling myself - I am a famous American footballer :0) but I have organised study tours to Egypt (which is my speciality area, perhaps this counts against me but even so the techniques used are similar to the UK), spoken at conferences and have done dancing competitions (maybe not dazzling like Fred Astaire..) so no dodgy CVs there.
IFA and the CSCS card - I would gladly invest in both but not until I have the position I am looking for, as it costs a fair bit.
Monty - I never put age on a CV, but they do work it out when you list your education and employment dates on the application form.
Gnome - I agree entirely. When I phoned up for info on one position advertised here I explained my current situation, and was told immediately, "you seem over qualified for this job". I did not even get an interview. As a mature student I got on with my class as I treated them as equals.
Rich