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
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder if i am unemployable?

11 replies

MoomieAndFreddie · 10/12/2012 09:59

i am 33

from 18 - 26 i worked in various godawful, shit jobs, like call centres, low paid admin jobs, temping etc. i never liked working (does anyone?) and often got sacked or laid off from jobs mostly because i just couldn't cope with the job so messed about and was lazy Blush all my own fault i know. not sure what i thought i was messing about at. Hmm

i had DS at 26 then DD at 29. I briefly went back to work to train as a nurse in between having the DCs, but, guess what, i didn't like it and couldn't cope with it and only lasted 3 months Blush

for the last 2 years i have been working for myself, part time. i don't want to say what i do, as it may out me. but its only been a very small business and i have barely made any profit. and i am just not getting the work in at the moment which is a shame because i love what i do and its the only job i have ever lasted more than a year in.

but i am starting to think maybe i should pack in my business, and just try and get An Actual Job. but the jobs market has changed so much since i was last working i am not sure anyone would want to employ me. and if you believe everything you read there are no jobs anyway. plus I have no real qualifications, I have a set of average gcse's and a levels. and i am worried even if i did get a job it would just be the same story as when i was in my 20's, that i would be shit at the job and just end up leaving or being fired.

i don't really NEED to work as DH earns OK money, but i WANT to contribute now, and i am bored, and i need to be paying NI so i can get some kind of pension when i am old.

what do people think? am i really unemployable at just 33? how can i boost a) my confidence, and b)my prospects

OP posts:
muddledmamma · 10/12/2012 10:05

" i love what i do and its the only job i have ever lasted more than a year in."

There's your answer right there. You have to find a way to grow your business. Have you looked in your local area for women in business organisations or entrepeneurial schemes? My impression is there's a fair bit of support for women starting out in business but I'm sure others here know more than I do.

givemeaclue · 10/12/2012 10:07

I would suggest doing some voluntary work in something that interests you. That will give you recent experience plus you get to try something out and see if you like it rather than take a job in that area and then find out you don't like it which seems to be what has happened before. Yet are not unemployable but focus on improving your cv by getting some recent voluntary experience.

Good luck!

Original poster
MoomieAndFreddie · 10/12/2012 11:15

thanks muddled

i have thought about looking for something like that - but TBH my line of work - people either want it, or they don't. and lets just say that in the current climate many people can't afford me, what i do is a bit of a "luxury"

and givemeaclue i have considered voluntary work, i wanted to work for womens aid but i think everyone must want to work for them as every time i have looked they don't need volunteers

OP posts:
Fakebook · 10/12/2012 11:31

I'd carry on with the business tbh. I think it's hard getting a job in this day and age, and it all depends on how much experience you have in the relevant field and where you live too. Some cities have been hit harder by the recession, others haven't.

I'd sit down and think of how you can take the business to the next level. Watch a few business programmes like Dragons Den to give yourself new ideas.

I think you're lucky you have a concept, you just need to build on it.

DolomitesDonkey · 10/12/2012 11:35

Luxury businesses do just fine in a recession, don't you worry about that! You just need to find your clients and make it a no-brainer for them.

FlyOverTheMistletoe · 10/12/2012 11:40

Moomie I'm sitting here laughing at what you could possibly do Xmas Grin. I know there is a double dip recession, but some people still have tons of £££££££££££ can you find a way to target them. I don't think you are unemployable, I know one woman with a brilliant cv - in which she so clevery put things that it totally disguised the fact that she has never stayed long in one job. Good luck

FlyOverTheMistletoe · 10/12/2012 11:40

and yet again x posted !

WeWilsonAMerryChristmas · 10/12/2012 11:42

I agree, build the business. I have a fantastic CV, no gaps or any issues and I'd really struggle to find a job after three years solely focusing on one part of my skills.

Look at it another way.

There are brilliant, experienced, qualified people being made redundant today. Right now. And a large percentage of them will want to start their own business. You are ahead of them. You have your own business and you love what you do. Start from there, from a position of strength, and grow what you have. Get the work in!

Do you have a referral scheme for your current and previous clients?
Have you invested in any marketing over the last couple of weeks?
Your local business gateway will have seminars on all this sort of stuff.
Get cracking!

(also lots of advice on the freelancers board here)

Quodlibet · 10/12/2012 11:55

I'm going to counter the lots of good encouraging advice youve had (all true) with a more critical appraisal. The issue you are coming across as having is an attitude that things happen to you but they are outside your control. According to you your business isn't growing because of a recession, not because you aren't marketing it right or spending enough time seeking out new clients. You cant volunteer because no one needs volunteers. You get fired from jobs because you fail to apply yourself and that's just the unchangeable way you are. Frankly if you go into the employment market with the attitude that what is going to happen is the same as previously, ie you get bored/can't stick it/get fired, then yep that makes you pretty unemployable.

Your circumstances don't make you unemployable but your self-limiting attitude might. The reality is that all these things are within your control to change.

Original poster
MoomieAndFreddie · 11/12/2012 07:34

thanks for the brill advice

and quodlibet i agree with all that completely, i don't WANT to be like that, i don't want to be the arrogant, workshy, overgrown entitled kid I was in my 20's. I must have been a dreadful employee.....

this has made me see that i definitely want to grow my business, so i have started by doing some more advertising. i am also going to print some leaflets and post them through the letterboxes of wealthy areas, as many as i possibly can. and maybe put some up in the shops in those areas too. i was also thinking of asking DC school to put some in the staffroom...wonder if they would....

i have also done a CV on the DWP yougov website as a back up, as i still might try and find a PT job as well as doing my business

i feel quite productive.....

OP posts:
Quodlibet · 11/12/2012 09:22

Awesome stuff OP.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread