Am getting very antsy about this now as mini georgy coming up to 6 months and my maternity allowance runs out in May. Have no idea about options available - have trawled through all the usual sites but still clueless.
Background is that I handed in my notice to my lecturing job before I knew I was pregnant as had various things lined up (which didn't come off in the end as involved being in south asia which wouldn't have worked with my pregnancy). I then ended up leaving before I could get SMP & got maternity allowance instead which runs out in May (and obviously no job to go back to). I want to get back to work but I cannot for the life of me find a job. Over 60+ applications, and from that, only one interview. Apparently I'm too 'academic' (my previous positions have all been in the higher education sector researching & lecturing) for a non uni job, but not academic enough (never got round to my PhD) for a uni job. I did start another thread about potentially going back to get my PhD but have just had two funding rejections today so that is pretty much out unless we can find money for me to do it & for us to live on (we can't).
So does anyone know what my options are? As my OH is in full time employment, I don't think I'm entitled to anything like job seekers or any benefit like that. I'm now just so worried about the £600 per month shortfall that we're going to have come May. Thought about temping as did loads of medical secretary temping throughout degrees but a) hardly any work where I am and b) at £6 an hour, not worth it, with balancing out childcare. Obviously am keeping on applying for jobs, but apart from that don't know quite what to do.
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Handing in notice before knew pregnant, now no job & lost with subsequent options. Help!
georgyporgie · 27/03/2013 11:55
Tried that, but it's the worst possible timing with the holidays pretty much starting from May! Have written to the local unis with my CV asking whether there is any UG teaching, marking or anything available, but noone has even got back to me so that's a non starter. The FE colleges and the schools around here don't do law as a subject either so can't go there (even though I've written to most of the schools to ask if they were thinking about bringing it in as an A level 
. They're not 
Will have a look at that now. Thanks, LIZS
Hmm, just used the benefits calculator and appears the only benefit I might be entitled to is a funeral grant 
Holey- just been updating the linkedin now! Sadly moved away from the areas where I worked to the back end of beyond (just how it ended up working with my OH job when he left the army) so near nothing remotely related to my old career at all. A couple of people have said to take qualifications off CV and big up all the temping that I used to do which I'm going to take on board and try. I think my main problem with that is that it would be sitting in a basement room audiotyping for 8 hours a day when I wouldn't even be breaking even with childcare, though I take on board the point about bridging the gap and I suppose the admin experience is transferable to non audiotyping roles too. Invigilating is a great suggestion too & will get onto that now!
Seems that I'm rebutting all these helpful suggestions with doom and gloom! I'm sorry- am a bit steeped in it at the moment. Must be the thought of those funeral costs.. 
Hmmm, looked on the council website & rang the uni about invigilating but seems a no go. Will have a look at the secretary from home thing as that's a possibility and the tutoring too but again tends to go to seminar tutors at uni level & law isn't taught as an a level here. Got turned down for an admin role home based with American Express too so don't seem to be able to get anything- and that was playing down quals. Holeyghost - you're absolutely spot on about careers in this type of place. We ended up here as my OH originally from here, has a house (that he kept when stationed elsewhere) and he happened on a niche job. He's happy to look elsewhere so there might be more chance of me finding something, but the likelihood of that at the moment, even for him, is slim. To be honest, am even applying for stuff back in London, but not even having much luck there.
Ho hum. And that's the worry about JsA- the leaving voluntarily
rolling up sleeves in anticipation of tomorrow's blitz on exam boards
Thanks all 
Really helpful & will be following these up tomorrow. Nice also not to feel so isolated about it all too.
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