about this 'just get a job' malarkey

[boschy]

I am musing aloud here. I have been looking for a part-time job for a couple of months now to supplement my freelance income. I don't want a full-time job, I've already got a freelance role. But I would like a 'proper' job for various reasons - more money, more social interaction, more structure, less precarious than freelance etc. We currently receive no benefits (apart from CB) although if I can't increase my income we might be able to claim WTC. I would prefer a job.

However, all the jobs in my area are things like care assistant/catering/HGV or forklift driver. I totally respect the people who do these jobs and I very much doubt I have the ability to do any of them (lack of empathy and dodgy back/no culinary skills/no spatial awareness respectively.)

Moving out of the area in order to find a job is not practical (DD1 in Y10 hence GCSEs; costs and time involved in house sale; DH's business is based near here).

So, when people say "there are jobs" or "any job is better than no job" do they really mean that? Should you take a job you will probably be rubbish at, or should you let someone else have that job?

Ken, yeeeeeees, but it usually isn't the 'proper job' that a graduate is looking for in terms of pay and conditions or actually using their degree or qualifications....

It pays the bills, but it rather makes a mockery of the 20 grand student loan in a specific field.

Haha, good try there, Madwoman! Good try.

I never said it wasn't a proper job. I work in a call centre for the emergency services and yes it is a ' proper job' but it has zero career progression and I reach the top of the pay scale in two years.

It's great for some but it is repetitive, stressful and the hours are long. A 9-5 job in something I find stimulating will be definitely better for my physical and mental health.

no skin off my nose. I can't even get a call centre job.

Well indeed. I am lucky to have it and will not be leaving until I have another job lined up and that isn't likely to be the case for another four years

interesting thread

I have a job earning less than half the £ I was paid 15 years ago

But I am one of those ones who doesn't want to use/pay for childcare, wants to work 10-3.30 so am always at home for the kids after school, and don't want to work school holidays (but will work evenings/weekends instead thanks v. much.....

so if you have the criteria like me the only thing you'll find is minimum wage

its working me for just now, dh earns £20k so we are pretty skint

don't know about the future though....

op, to me its simple, if you need the money you'll do any job, if you don't you have more choice to pick and choose and decide whats for you

every(bloody)one I know wouldn't do the menial lowly job I do, but it buys things and pays for things so I do it

everyones different aren't they

well, I've got my first interview. It's for 4 hours a week; in a sector in which I am interested but have no relevant experience actually; cant imagine why I've got an interview in fact and had completely forgotten about it so will have to revisit the application and see why on earth I thought I could even apply for it.

also applied for another one (3 days a week) - recruitment consultant called to say she would like to put my CV forward but as I am seriously overqualified would I be comfortable with menial (office-based) tasks. actually YES!! but I suspect the interviewer(s) might be uncomfortable with my experience if they are not particularly secure in their own roles. waiting to hear if I get an interview for that one; I would actually love to get it.

sent off the WTC application 3 weeks ago, so maybe we'll get some money through from that soon (thank god for arrival of child benefit yesterday).

Good luck.

Oh there are jobs - if you are unskilled or doing something very very specific. So I can get a job standing being the bacon counter in morrisons or as a cardiac nurse. Sadly, both need experience!

It's much harder now. I remember in the 80s when my brother wasn't sure what he wanted to do, he seemed to be starting a new job every day! He'd be loafing in bed, mum would yell up 'get up and get a job' and he'd shuffle out and come back with one. I have older relatives asking 'why can't you find a job? You live in London!'.

It's so depressing. I am a qualified librarian but due to cutbacks have just been through a restructure and am down to two days a week. There's no way I can get another job in a library in the rural area we live in, and you can't just up sticks when you have a family so I'm stuck. Have just got myself an extra job in a shop working for £6.08 an hour. It's the hardest work I've ever done! I've got round the holidays problem by working evenings when my husband gets home and weekends. It kind of works, but it is putting stress on us as a family. There are no easy answers. Agree about tailoring the application to the job you're going for. I nearly always get an interview....but then due to hopelessness hardly ever get the job! had an interview at the local high school last week - 25 hours a week plus term time only. Totally gutted i didn't get it!! Hard times...

I am currently unemployed looking for a job. It is easy for some people to say 'just get a job' but they dont consider the circumstances people have to deal with.
I am a single mother of a primary school child so i have restricted hours. I job hunt everyday during the week and apart from specialised skilled work or measily hours like 5 hours a week there are no jobs that suit my circumstances.
People say u can get two or three five hours p/week jobs to make up the hours but a lot of jobs are not set hours so it would be a lot of fuss and hassle to get two or three employers to wrk around me.

I completely sympathise with people with qualifications that are currently doing jobs they could've done if they'd left school at 16 as that is me to a tee. I want to wear a t-shirt at work that says 'Yes, I may be the office skivvy but I am at least as qualified as the rest of you'!

Think that's a good point AKE. A lot of jobs say you must be flexible to cover other people's hours - when it's just not possible to find childcare as a one off out of the blue for most people.

You are right in not going for jobs as a carer if you don't really want to do it.
I have worked with people who have done that and it is no fun for anyone. I just don't get why they do it, the money is crap not great and it is hard work.
What kind of work is you do freelance?

Had an interview tonight - unsuccessful. am actually rather relieved as a) I had no relevant qualifications or experience whatsoever; b) I didnt really click with the people; and c) it was 3 hours per week (3 hours?????)

on the plus side, it was a good experience to go out there and get an interview; it has helped clarify my mind about what I apply for.

and I've just picked up a couple more freelance jobs which should help for the next couple of months and therefore give us some breathing space.

Haven't read the whole thread (skipped through - am usually more thorough ) but when I was out of work in the summer of last year I was more than willing and able to apply and stick at p-t legal secretary jobs (am a lawyer) - after all this is how I paid my way through 6th Form/Uni/Bar School etc during vacations doing temp work - can audio type at 80 wpm - can make a stonking good cup of tea - time record, file etc - tried to make it clear not above any task - live in London (so should be more opportunities) - nope. Most recruitment agencies wouldn't even let me register for temp work on the basis that I was "overqualified". I do kind of understand prospective employer's reasoning (in the sense they think you won't stick around) but there's a fine line between your application letter saying the times/role would suit YOUR current circumstances and intimating you'll be out the door should those circumstance change.

So YANBU Op but very good luck to you. I am sure you have already been through this umpteen times but are there any ways in which you can increase the flow of freelance work (and payment on time) if you can't find a solid employed role with all the certainty a salary can bring?

Good luck with the freelance jobs

Finally got proper feedback today on job mentioned a couple of posts ago - apparently I am "too posh" for the "young people" to relate to... don't quite know what to think really!!

That's crappy feedback, why comment on something the applicant can't change?