I don’t know what I want to do with my life/job. Please help

[IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece]

Been a nanny for 14 years, recently started a new job that would be about 18-24m long. Had decided that it would be my last nannying job before moving onto something new, non nannying related, maybe even non child related, but my job has come to a v unexpected end after 11 weeks (no fault of my own, families change in circumstances) and I’m at a complete loss of what to do.

I don’t want another nannying job but I don’t know what else I can find ASAP. My last pay day is this Friday then I have nothing.

I’ve been working as a personal PA alongside the nannying for the last year and loved it. I wanted to start my own business but there just hasn’t been the work.

I’m exhausted. I go from Job to job, I haven’t had a proper break in years and It’s been a crap year this year and was just looking up with this new job and now I have to find another. I feel completely broken. I am really struggling and frankly just want to hide away but I can’t do that. I’m just so worn out with everything and am doing a great job of pretending I’m fine when I’m not.

I don’t know what to do, what job to do, I have 1 childcare qualification and poor gcse results, I don’t know what I want to do with my life or what I should do.

I’d be really grateful for any advise

Bump

Didn't want to read and run.

I feel your pain and I can imagine this is a very difficult situation for you (especially during the unstable economic situation in the country - that is if you live in the UK).

I honestly don't know your personality well enough to be able to suggest anything that would suit you and your qualifications but I do wish you best of luck in the future

Bump for you x

Don't want to read and run...

I've just started my maternity leave and I feel like I'm having a mid life crisis with regards to my work / career.

I really don't want to go back to my old job (medical secretary). I have OK GCSE's but wasted my further education on a crap BTEC course in something I'm never ever going to pursue.

I'd love to go back to education but couldn't afford it.

You're not alone in feeling lost. I hope you find some inspiration soon x

Unfortunately no advice but watching with interest. I have no qualifications other than GCSE's and feel far too stupid to get qualified in anything else, aside from the financial aspect. I'm feeling at a real loss at the moment and have been feeling like you described in your OP.

What do you enjoy doing? What do you like and dislike about nannying?

Loads of PA type work about. Contact recruitment agencies. A good one will be able to help you write a cv and coach you for interview.

Just a thought, but if you enjoy the personal PA side of things, could you look for a nanny/housekeeper/PA type role? e.g. in a household with older children where wraparound care is needed and you could offer your PA services to the family during school hours?

Or combine wraparound nannying with getting your PA business off the ground, if you can make the finances work?

I’m personally aware of 2 families local to me who have family businesses and employ a nanny. I’m sure someone who could help in the business as well as look after the kids would be highly sought after. It’s a stepping stone to full-time PA work in the future, if that’s what you want. What area of the country are you in?

Thank you all, I’m sorry others feel this was also but selfishly it’s nice to know I’m not alone.

I’m v good at nannying, it comes naturally to me and I do it well but I’m definitely ready for a change. I don’t feel like I’d be putting 100% into my work and it’s really important to me that I do

I have looked for PA/Nannying jobs but couldn’t find anything, I’m in London so hoped I’d find some.

I think I’m just desperate to find something immediately and I feel like nannying is the only thing I can find quickly because it’s the o my thing I’m good at.

I will contact some recruitment agencies and get an idea of if I could find PA work.

Thank you x

legopiece I would recommend recruitment agencies for sure, but aside from that, just wanted to wish you luck. In a similar situation, though seem to be stuck in all aspects of my life, not just work hope you find a job you like soon

Thank you Midnight, sorry you feel similar x

My friend (in London)!who is a nanny does that 3 days a week and the rest of the week she uses few companies which are looking for babysitters. I know she is always busy this time of the year with babysittings due to Christmas parties etc. Why don't you register like her and have money coming straight away? I am sure you can get.that kind of jobs with your experience.
If you aren't getting interviews for PA/nanny type of job I guess it's due to your CV.
Have you had anyone checking it for you? What was the response from agencies about your CV?

Thank you.

I’ve signed up to a bunch of agencies for babysitting work but they’re apparently inundated with babysitters so the work just isn’t there.

I just don’t know what to do, I’m so stressed that I can’t just sit down and properly think about it and what I want to actually so

I was once in a similar situation to you many years ago.

I moved from being a nanny to recruiting them which was an easy transition to make. I rang round all the London nanny agencies asking if they were looking for anyone and one of them was!

Just an idea. Good luck.

That’s a really good idea, I might contact some of the agencies I’m familiar with and see what they think

Have you any savings? Can you afford to have a little time off now, to clear your head and get some clarity?
Maybe sign up with some temping agencies in the short term- office work is not nearly as exhausting physically as caring roles, and the change might give you some time in the evenings to focus on a new direction, and perhaps study for it?
Good luck!

You said life/job. Do you want to stay in London? You sound at a fairly big crossroads, what are your commitments etc.

Even if you don't want to continue doing nannying, would you consider getting one more post to buy yourself time to make other plans for afterwards? Just wondering as if your original job hadn't fallen through you'd still be there for at least another 15 months so even if you got another 12 month post now you wouldn't be "behind" your original schedule.

Try temping away from nannying. Sometimes the type of a company might get you interested in going more into it.

If u get some admin role, eg in a car showroom, you might then go into sales.

And if you get to work office hours, then u could have evenings for studying further, maybe even sponsored by the employer.

Don't underestimate your inter- personal skills and whatever you go for, appear enthusiastic.

How is your CV @IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece ?

My CV probably needs looking at. It’s obviously v child based as that’s all I’ve ever done but even then I’m not sure it’s great. I’d love to try and tweak it more so it would work for PA jobs as I’ve got A huge amount of transferable skills from nannying but not sure how to word it.

Is it worth paying a company to look at it?

Personally, I wouldn't.
This is because you need to tweak your CV to every role you are applying for to show relevant experience or at least keen interest.

I would just go online to various job portals and keep applying. They often also ask u for a brief cover letter describing your relevant skills and interest in the role.

it made huge difference to my CV to have it professionally updated. I didn't change it with every application. It has all my skills in and I want to be accepted for an interview based on who I know I am and not pretend anything.
You are paying for an extra par of eyes to make it right.

Besides - after it has been professionally edited you can still tweak it.

Thanks all x

I’ve realised I don’t want to do nannying but I would like to do a job that helps people, particularly children. I now have no idea what to do next!