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Career advice? I'm a failure, remote job help

7 replies

Oldlearner · 19/06/2022 11:09

I need help to figure how to get a proper job, I feel like such a failure..I feel so stuck and trapped. My employment situation is completely consuming me and I feel so down. I have this heavy feeling of dread in my stomach which I can't shift.

I'm going to include everything I think could be relevant so apologies if this is long or i waffle on.

I'm mid 30’s, young kids (nursery& reception), DH works FT but nature of this job means his hours/shifts/days change constantly so ultimately can't be relied on for childcare although when he is home he's brilliant and gets stuck in with kids and home. He could be out from 6am or not home til 11.30pm any day of the week. He earns well but cost of living means it's no longer enough. If he changed job his wage cut would cripple us as he is highly experienced in his field. If he's out early he is usually home around 4ish or if he's out til late doesn't go in til lunch time.

Here is where I am stuck, I'm desperate to properly return to work, mostly for my sake as well as the extra money. I have no career or qualifications I worked in office based customer service until I had my eldest. Where we live there isn't much job opportunities (mostly retail/hospitality etc) typically you'd travel to the nearest city. I'd prefer to be office based.
As I don't drive that's a commute of at least 1.5hrs (allowing for walk to/from train stations & Train timetable based on typical start/finish times) if I worked 9-5 I'd need to drop off 7.30am or collect 6.30pm but breakfast and after school clubs only run 8-6. I'm learning to drive but there is only one road in and out of the town so with traffic still looking at 40/50 mins. I'd need to book before breakfast and after school clubs even though I wouldn't need both on same day I just don't know far enough in advance.

I feel my best option is to work from home. Since covid there seems to be this impression of there is tons of remote jobs going but really there isnt. Least not for someone without a field.
I'd need day shift so I could use the school clubs without adding 3hrs to my day on commute.
I don't know what to look for. My old job was shift work, which fell out with childcare.

I'm happy to start on entry level and work my way up but can't figure out where to start.

I'd love go to college etc but again I have same commute/timing issue, there no college/uni in my town.

Lastly moving house isn't an option.

Is there any hope for me, can anyone suggest any job title I can look into that I can do from based from home, on day shift only without a qualification or experience. I've spent hours on job sites and feel I don't get anywhere.

I did try care work. worked as bank to work it around DH but I barely got work the shifts are 7/8-7/8 or 7/8 to 2ish and 2ish - 7/8 so I could only really work when my DH is on a day off which lessen the chance of getting shifts on short notice. I started off booking childcare but then didn't get the shift so was losing money. So it wasn't working and I didn't love it either so left.

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
ThePoetsWife · 19/06/2022 11:20

Have you tried temping work? Might be a good way to get back into work. Alternatively volunteer work is also worth a try to gain some experience.

Oldlearner · 19/06/2022 11:23

Is there such a thing for tempting remote work?

OP posts:
Edmontine · 19/06/2022 11:24

I don’t have specific careers suggestions - hopefully others will - but you may find it helpful to browse some threads on the Mature Study and Retraining board, here:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

Lots of varied ages, starting points and domestic circumstances covered.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Iamnotamermaid · 19/06/2022 11:27

So I'd love go to college etc but again I have same commute/timing issue, there no college/uni in my town.
there are lots of remote courses you can do now. So work out what you need to up skill in and maybe work towards that. Most colleges do remote courses or try FutureLearn www.futurelearn.com which maybe worth doing until the DC are in school etc. Remote work relies on some sound IT technical skills and knowledge of word, excel etc...

Reed also have free online courses which may help www.reed.co.uk/courses/free. A data entry role may suit you www.reed.co.uk/jobs/data-entry-jobs

The commute sounds like a non starter tbh but can you find something nearer you? Evening like a part time hospitality or cleaning job that fits it around childcare.

MadeForThis · 19/06/2022 11:29

Remote admin, call centre, civil service, local authority.

Gizlotsmum · 19/06/2022 11:31

Anything in your kids school? Could you do remote learning? Has DH looked around for other jobs? Maybe him taking a wage cut could be offset by your new job? Look at childminders who might start earlier/finish later and do school run? Could you consider childminding? ( not for everyone and can be hard to get started)

Oldlearner · 19/06/2022 11:49

Hi thanks everyone, some good suggestions which I will look into.

I will definitely look into remote learning. Don't know why I didn't consider remote learning while looking for a remote job.

If my DH job was week days I'd be all over the evenings & weekends but he mostly works then. Often gets a sunday off but not guaranteed. He should be off today but has to go in for a few hours tonight.

Unfortunately my DH has looked for other jobs (mainly prior to and after dc1 was born) but to stay in his job/pay grade it'd be the same kind of hours.
If he went for a new job altogether his wage cut would be offset by me working but we wouldn't be better off then this thread would largely apply to us both, only of us can afford (time wise) a commute.

There isn't many offices etc in our town.

A job funnily enough came up in DC's school recently and they got absolutely battered with applications. I "loosely" chatted with head teacher at drop off one day as this role is in reception and he commented that every job they have lots of experienced and qualified applicants. He mentioned it being the same for all schools in the area, and the council are offering additional funding next year for them to take on new qualified people who are struggling to get first jobs and the schools are really grateful for the extra money.
I only brought it up because I was considering it, but it seems very competitive.

I quite fancy remote admin but not sure have to get into it.

I will check out all the links sent, thanks so much.

OP posts:
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