Unemployed and groundhog day

[Swisspolkadot]

I'm actively looking for work after redundancy. There arent many jobs here (sort of rural. 100 miles to the nearest decent city but several huge towns nearby)....Frequently told I'm too qualified / you'll get bored and a recruiter told me I'm too old (35) - I know it's illegal, I complained and all that happened is that they refuse to help me find work now.

I LOVE the weekends. I'm with DC and DH and we get out and about and do loads of stuff together. I feel bright and cheerful.

Monday - Friday: constantly seeking out jobs, tailoring my CV, writing Covering Letters, on LinkedIn etc. When I'm not job hunting I'm constantly checking my emails and usually sit down on my sofa at 9am and don't move until lunch time :(

I've just been for a nice long walk in the sunshine but I can't help but feel

1. rejected / low self esteem
2. time is running out for me to save my career
3. that I'm old and wasting my life away

I don't need job hunting tips as I'm doing my best with the slim pickings in my local area. Also applying for remote. I know I'll get there eventually...

But I need tips / advice on dealing with the groundhog day / feeling like I'm wasting my days. Anyone else know the feeling?

(Also, volunteering - I tried this but the organisations (both charities) wanted long term commitment which I felt I couldn't give because as soon as I find a job then I'd be unavailable! Whether that's 6 weeks or 6 months away!!)

I had this before I retrained, I was made redundant and found it really hard being out of work. Personally I found it helpful to limit myself to applying for jobs between x and y time and then making plans for the rest of the day. For me this was mainly exercising (I find it helps my MH) and ticking some jobs off around the house.

Would doing some online training help, either related to your field of work or something that you just fancy learning?

Also agree with planning your day into sections and add in exercise.

@Tubofroses I would love to retrain! How did you go about it?

I think I need to have a set routine. It's just so lonely too. 15 years of colleagues and chit chat to being home alone. It's a shock and I'm not used to it yet despite being out of work for a few months now.

I have downloaded C25K 😊

Yes I really struggled with the lack of routine and the lack of social interaction!

I retrained as a teacher (wouldn't recommend) but I was made redundant in June and used some of my severance pay to fund myself through the PGCE.

Depending what you'd like to get into there are some government funded courses and bootcamps that might be worth a look:

www.gov.uk/guidance/find-a-skills-bootcamp

Or if you would be tempted by healthcare there are nursing apprentiships etc if you join as a HCA.

Thank you :) some of those look amazing!!

Many years ago I worked in a school as. HLTA and left for University. I'd never go back! 2006ish!

Off for another walk. Soaking in all the sun today... hopefully someone says hi on my walk :( so painfully lonely!

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Good luck

I'm in a similar situation, although I'm a few years older than you. I initially was confident I would find work quickly, but I've had so many rejections now that I find myself beginning to panic, particularly as my redundancy money will be running out soon. I've had a few promising interviews but I have quite an unusual CV and I keep missing out to "another person whose experience was a better fit" - I'm not sure if that's a euphemism, but I'm finding it unhelpful, because there's nothing I can do to change the past. It's so hard to keep motivated and positive in the face of constant rejection, isn't it.

I've just received another rejection email. Granted I didn't want the job as the interview highlighted how toxic their workplace was but it still sucks. 😔

I would break the day into sections as a PP said. Are your DC school age? If so I'd do the school run in the morning and then set from when you get back to 12pm as job hunting time with a set cut off. Then lunch and use the afternoon to do some exercise (good for mental health and general wellbeing) and to do some jobs round the house so you get that sense of having achieved something. Whether that's cleaning, laundry, gardening or preparing food for a nice dinner, it's all important stuff that needs doing and supports your family. Then you're all prepped for a more relaxed evening with your family if jobs have been done.

When I was made redundant often I'd take my laptop to a local café or the library to do my job hunting. It got me out of the house and around people, even if I was just sat in a café looking at LinkedIn I at least felt part of society and not at home 24/7.

I would also try to reframe it if you can. I was the same and hated my time off when I was looking for work but looking back I had the luxury of lots of time to get stuff done that I now don't have now I'm back at work! I wish I'd appreciated that a bit more.

Going to a local library is a great call.
OP, I imagine the likelihood is that you will be employed sooner or later, so try to enjoy the time. Perhaps be more structured with your day - impose structure. 9-12 I'll do x, then lunch, then exercise, the n email check then cuz. Otherwise it'll just feel like endless waiting.

Ooo, and out some time aside to plan even more lovely things to do at the weekends.

Good luck, you'll get there!

Thanks everyone 😊 I'm going to make a routine / timetable and "get out there" amongst the chit chat / society.

I just feel weighed down by it all. And today I've been panicking about never finding a job again! Just catastrophising a little.

Wish I wasn't taught that job = self worth