Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

I need a job. Any job. Pronto. As long as it’s legal.

126 replies

MrsPear · 26/05/2021 17:02

How? Where to look? I’ve been unemployed for nearly 11 years.
No one wants to know so far. So i think it’s time to accept that I can’t have a career, I can’t go back to what I was and the ship has sailed. Retail is now a dead duck. So what can I do?! Oh and I still have a school run to do ... Please ideas or better still a job

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsPear · 27/05/2021 19:20

I’ll be honest prostitution and strip work are not my cup of tea. Tbh I don’t think anyone would pay anyway - I’d hardly win a beauty contest 🤣
Matched betting I’ve heard of but don’t understand it - then again I’ve never placed a bet before and the only time I’ve been in a bookies is to use the facilities.
Proof reading sounds interesting and editing / I’ve worked in print in a different life. I’ve also worked in nhs in clerical (band 3/4).

I didn’t understand why they refused me at the first hurdle for the care job as they said they welcomed returnees to the workplace. I speak English as a first language (despite my name) and I have a desire to work. I even mentioned how I’ve been an unpaid carer to my grand parents.

OP posts:
scaredsadandstuck · 27/05/2021 19:29

I agree with PP about cleaning. Ok money and very flexible.

WineAcademy · 27/05/2021 19:33

Can you ask them for feedback, OP? Worth knowing for future applications maybe.

Slub · 27/05/2021 19:41

@CiderJolly
"I'm with DWP"

My condolences 💐

NancyDrawed · 27/05/2021 20:01

Mrs Pear, I hadn't placed a bet before either until I started doing matched betting. It's all done online - I still haven't set foot inside a bookie. I joined a free group called Team Profit which walked me through the initial offers and took it from there.

I don't think it's something to do in place of a job, as the offers stop being available after a while, but it is certainly useful for extra cash and paid for holidays and days out for us.

Elieza · 27/05/2021 20:03

Doggy day care.

Dropping off children at school and picking up after for parents working long hours.

Mother’s help.

ArgyleIsle · 27/05/2021 20:41

Ta?! That's not a job anyone can just get. When we advertise for ta"s we attract up to 100 applications from teachers and ta's. All very experienced and qualified. I've been a TA for 16 years and I have a degree and a Btec in Childhood Studies.

@Bbq1 - you obviously didn't see my post before yours....

CorianderBee · 27/05/2021 21:05

McDonalds are hiring in a lot of places. Think you need ace in English and Maths

CorianderBee · 27/05/2021 21:12

A C not ace

MySocalledLoaf · 27/05/2021 21:45

Nobody should be proofreading for £0.002 per word. If you are doing a decent job you are being completely ripped off. I don’t know anyone who’d work for £0.02 pw and I know a lot of people doing that work.

WineAcademy · 27/05/2021 22:03

@MySocalledLoaf

Nobody should be proofreading for £0.002 per word. If you are doing a decent job you are being completely ripped off. I don’t know anyone who’d work for £0.02 pw and I know a lot of people doing that work.
Yeah, I agree, I think I'm going to leave it and move on.
Bbq1 · 27/05/2021 22:32

@ArgyleIsle

Ta?! That's not a job anyone can just get. When we advertise for ta"s we attract up to 100 applications from teachers and ta's. All very experienced and qualified. I've been a TA for 16 years and I have a degree and a Btec in Childhood Studies.

@Bbq1 - you obviously didn't see my post before yours....

@Argylelsle No, I only saw your post after I had posted. However, that doesn't change the fact that in my LA it is very competitive and difficult to get a TA position. There aren't that many vacancies and when there are, the quality of applicants is generally very high plus with so many applicants, schools can afford to be choosy. It may be very different for your area, but somebody applying for a job at my school with zero experience /qualifications wouldn't even get an interview.
TrifleCat · 27/05/2021 22:33

MrsPear

You need to apply to your local NHS staff bank- if you have had previous clerical experience it’s highly likely you will get given a bank admin & clerical post.

Bovrilly · 27/05/2021 22:50

@SingToTheSky

Sorry, just seen this. I work for a transcription company, so I just googled to find some, they tend to have an online application form. The one I work for is Take 1, which does transcription for film and tv. The pay starts at 40p per minute you transcribe so your income depends on how much you do and how quickly you can do it. Once you've been there a while you might start getting more difficult files which pay more. They train you up (you're paid for the files you do when training) and then they send you stuff to do. You have to commit to working 20 hours per week but you're completely free to do them when you like, you just confirm the hours you want to work a few days in advance. It's easy to fit around other things and they are super nice and easy to work for. I had to buy a foot pedal which was about £50. The work is mostly American tv but with some UK also, lots of reality and entertainment programmes. I find some of it really fun and some a bit tedious but the longest files you get take about 3 hrs to do, so there's a nice variety and you never know what will turn up next. I do it around other work which pays much better but is less reliable so it works well for me. Happy to answer any qs if you have any.

Bovrilly · 27/05/2021 22:51

Sorry should also have tagged @mermaidsariel in my previous post

SingToTheSky · 27/05/2021 22:52

That’s amazing thanks bovrilly! Applying for something at the moment (bit scary after a few years not working) but will have a look into that too :)

Bovrilly · 27/05/2021 22:54

@SingToTheSky

That’s amazing thanks bovrilly! Applying for something at the moment (bit scary after a few years not working) but will have a look into that too :)
Good luck!
Dontknowowt · 27/05/2021 23:03

You'd probably need some wrap around childcare if you go for a TA post as they are usually needed for duration of school day plus a little bit more either end.

Elverybaby · 27/05/2021 23:26

I've recruited quite a few SAHMs who are returning to the work force after an extended break. This is what I look for:

Positive outlook on life, has a solution for minor problems and doesn't make a big deal out of them.

Actively wants to do the specific role I am recruiting for, not just looking for a job, any job. They might have done it or similar in the past and enjoyed it.

Commitment to work, so it doesn't come last on their priority list.

Any kind of activity apart from normal home/kids stuff can be good...e.g. coaching a soccer team, on the Parents Committe, did some courses etc.

Susannahmoody · 28/05/2021 01:09

Please list your transferable skills.

Also, you say London, have you tried applying to be a dinner lady in schools? Or reception? Or an English language aide/tutor?

CiderJolly · 29/05/2021 08:10

@MrsPear

I would advise you get in touch with the National Careers Service. Their website is brilliant, you can do a skills assessment which will help you identify your transferable skills (I guarantee you will have many!) and explore career options that you may not have considered. They also have invaluable advice regarding how to write a strong tailored CV and cover letter to give you the best chance of getting that interview. You can also call an advisor and get free, personalised support, number on the website.

nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

Then, again, after looking at your situation and skill set, I would strongly advise you register with Civil Service Jobs and look at AA/AO grades to begin with.

www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi

The reason being is that their recruitment processes are usually ‘behaviour’ based so as long as you can demonstrate/evidence the required skills you have a chance. They aren’t the traditional interviews where you’re asked to explain career gaps etc.

If you are currently on Universal Credit you can ask your Work Coach to refer you to the next Civil Service SWAP (sector based work academy programme) where they will teach you, usually online, all about how to apply for roles within the Civil Service.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

Original poster
MrsPear · 29/05/2021 12:06

Thank you ciderjolly

I will certainly look into the civil service.

It’s because I’m not claiming benefits that I seem ineligible for any getting back to work schemes. I need to go back for sanity reasons more than anything else. That’s why I’m happy to consider everything plus I’m a realist I don’t expect high wages I’ve been out too long nor do I expect to walk back into the level I once worked. Anyway the minimum wage is more than what I started my working life earning 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsPear · 29/05/2021 12:08

Can I just say how lovely and supportive everyone has been. Thank you - I feel bad enough at the situation I found myself and was worried I’d be made to feel worse. I never expected to give up work but it happened and I wouldn’t change having my eldest for the world.

OP posts:
VeganVeal · 29/05/2021 13:00

Bramble picker

DeathByWalkies · 29/05/2021 13:28

Hospitality currently has a huge shortage of staff www.standard.co.uk/business/hospitality-staffing-crisis-restaurants-pubs-vacancies-b936253.html