Finding a job

[LilyLily1999]

Need a bit of advice, I’m 23 and a single mum, currently on universal credit but my daughters just turned 3 so now looking to get back into work. Universal credit said I should get into waitressing or retail jobs but that’s not something I’m interested in and it wouldn’t help with my mental health, no judgement to people with these jobs, I’d rather have a job that I can develop in and make a stable income, my mental healths bad and I get very depressed but for the right job with the right income I’d be very motivated to work I’m quite ambitious. I’d love a job in the council and from what I’ve seen the pays good (35-40,000) but they all say you need experience or qualifications in the roles which I don’t have so I’m not sure where I start. I’ve seen one local apprenticeship working in the council where I could gain experience but waiting to see if I get it. Where do I go from here, I really don’t want to work in waitressing or retail as I was suggested, it’ll benefit me mentally if I have a job I look forward to going to and I really want a well paid job just don’t have the qualifications for the jobs. 😕

[Wizzbangfizz]

Have you got an interview for the apprenticeship? It sounds like a good opportunity and good luck - I think it is a good move to set a good example for your daughter and make something of yourself. I’d also look at entry level roles in the civil service and big organisations - get yourself on linked in and sign up for indeed job alerts

[BluebellBlueballs]

Most people want the well paid jobs

Few people want to be working in retail, hospitality etc on min wage

Unfortunately there are masses more people wanting well paid jobs than well paid jobs

Employers can be choosy and they are

Without qualifications or experience why would they choose you for such a job?

[CalistoNoSolo]

I'm an employer, and you don't sound employable. You have zero skills, motivation or enthusiasm, you come across as a fantasist and you're going to use your mental health problems as a get out of jail card. I think you need to have a good look at your attitude, and the kind of role model you want to be for your daughter. I find it really sad that your child isn't enough motivation for you to get a job.

[LilyLily1999]

I have GCSEs I passed maths and english so I have the main ones required but wasn’t so hood in my others. I decided to study music at college it’s something I enjoy but I now see it as more of a hobby rather than a job so wish I studied something else. I was considering studying some courses so I can get some better l qualifications

[Justfeckoffwiththeovulating]

I'm not trying to put you off but local authorities will want so much for the little they pay. Neither are great environments for mental health. I earn £14 an hour and I am constantly thinking about work. I will put my kids to bed later and log back on for two hours later. Everyone I know in my department checks their emails on holidays and weekends. If you have ocd type traits, it's the worst as there is never enough time and you can never finish everything off.
Do you want to help people? Or do you want a career which will allow you to be on 30-40k in a few years? If it's the latter than there are many many easier jobs than working in a local authority. My friend went from cashier to branch manager in a few years. I would chose a part time job and train on the side. Maybe accounting?
There are trainee social worker apprenticeships like you said but my god are they full on and often much more than full time. Usually you're on a placement 37.5 hours and then expected to study in the evenings and weekends. It should take about three years.
Are you good at saying no to people? How would you feel working with vulnerable people in a broken system? Would you be able to listen or read sensitive heartbreaking information about possible child sexual abuse or physical abuse or neglect? How would you feel if you moved heaven and earth for someone to get their own flat and they trashed it on week 2 and came shouting at you to get them another placement?

[GoodChat]

Why bother commenting just to be cruel?

[LilyLily1999]

zero motivation? I’m here saying I want a job where I can make something of myself, a job which I’m passionate about and can develop in yet I have no motivation..? You have no idea about my mental health so you can’t judge and say I’m using it to my advantage as that’s not the case I’m saying it’ll benefit me mentally being in a job I enjoy as I have very little motivation in life to the point I get suicidal but I’m actually motivated to better myself and have a good stable job. You’re saying it’s a shame my daughters not enough for me to want to get a job but maybe that’s why I want a stable job where I can develop in and slowly earn more, so I’m a able to provide for her to the best I can.

[Justfeckoffwiththeovulating]

Also to put you in good stead for getting a paid apprenticeship (which as you said are rare) get some voluntary experience. You could be a mentor for someone with mental health problems as you have lived experience. You'll be competing with loads of support workers and HCA's who want to retrain so it's just not enough to say that you're interested in helping people, you have to demonstrate when you have worked with vulnerable people in a professional capacity.

[Hoppinggreen]

@CalistoNoSolo

I'm an employer, and you don't sound employable. You have zero skills, motivation or enthusiasm, you come across as a fantasist and you're going to use your mental health problems as a get out of jail card. I think you need to have a good look at your attitude, and the kind of role model you want to be for your daughter. I find it really sad that your child isn't enough motivation for you to get a job.

Harsh
But fair

[Luxell934]

Why don't you apply for support worker jobs? Working with vulnerable young people and adults. I don't think you need any qualifications, or you can train on the job, theres always lots of them advertised where I live.

[Sealover123]

Hi OP I would apply for the council apprenticeships and entry level positions (eg. Admin/business support) to get office experience. I worked my way up in my local council doing this. I went from £18k per year to £30k. (3 roles within 7 years, each a more senior position). You'll have to work hard and earn a reputation as a reliable team player. It does pay off over time. I now have a different job but my work experience gained there was valuable.

[1smallhamsterfoot]

@GoodChat

Why bother commenting just to be cruel?

Because in the real world you get any job you can especially if you are responsible for a child!

[misssunshine4040]

Go to college and retrain in something. You will have student finance to help support you and learn skills to get into the career you would like.

[LilyLily1999]

thank you for the insight, I appreciate it, to be honest it’s half and half the money I could eventually earn makes me want the job as I’m very money driven as I’m sure a lot of people are but it is also helping people as I have bpd (borderline personality disorder) so working in jobs that are caring etc are quite suited to me and I’ve also been through a lot myself don’t want to go into too much details but things such as physically abusive relationships so I think being in a job such as a social worker yes it would be hard hearing people talking about their traumas but I’ve been through a lot myself and may be able to relate to them and would want to help them. But you’re right it would be very full on, I’m going to look into other opportunities as well.

[Beezknees]

You won't just walk into a well paid job with no qualifications and years out of work. I was a teen mum on benefits so trust me, I've been there.

You need to be willing to start from the absolute bottom and work hard, then you can progress. You will be on low pay initially but you will get UC to top up your wage. If you put the work in you will progress on the pay scale.

[Justfeckoffwiththeovulating]

@LilyLily1999 I get where you're coming from and I think you'd be great at the caring aspect but there's also professional boundaries and relational security to think about in social work. I don't even tell clients that I have children. And they will ask you outright...
What about getting a job to pay the bills and doing something voluntary on the side? Like volunteer for a local group which hold events for young mums who struggle with mental health?
I completely get not wanting to go into customer service when you're struggling with emotional resilience and feeling low. There's still loads of good admin jobs out there in the NHS or charity sector. You can get up to about band 5 in a few years. Some you can do some working from home and some in the office.
Good luck whatever you choose, ignore the haters.

[Coronationstation]

Is social work really the best environment for someone with such mental health issues??

[Els1e]

The apprenticeship sounds good. Well done for applying. Social work is not an easy job and you do need to be resilient. Make sure you include improving your mental health and developing coping mechanisms in any future plans. If you don’t get the job, get feedback, so you know what to work on. If it’s qualifications, get in touch with your local adult education. If it’s relevant experience, try volunteering in a youth club or similar setting. They will often offer training too. Like another pp said, consider similar roles such as youth support. Contact National Careers Service and ask for help creating a career pathway plan from where you are now to where you want to get to. Good luck.

[Thankfulforthenewday]

Music therapy is something to get into. Look into access courses for University. Build your qualifications up first and then a career path will follow. You have a-lot of lived experience of mental health. Don’t rush into just anything. Use this time to think about what you want. Many people don’t have the support or guidance when they are younger to help them but University and degree careers are still an option for you. You are young still and the motivation you have will give you the drive to succeed. Good luck.

[Els1e]

Sorry cross posted. You’ve already thought about the mental stress of social work.

[InTheGardenShed]

@Coronationstation

Is social work really the best environment for someone with such mental health issues??

I was thinking this

They will be challenging, you need very very very thick skin! Very!

How will you cope with kids telling you to fuck of, calling you names, attitude and potentially violence?

[Liamgallaghersparka]

Mental health issues are shit when trying to find employment as I know only too well. Instead of being sarcastic to OP try to be a bit more understanding.

[Liamgallaghersparka]

That was meant for a previous poster.

[LilyLily1999]

Thank you for your kind words, means a lot!