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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

So poor and jobs are impossible.

245 replies

BellaJessica · 12/06/2018 20:30

I am increasingly getting down about my life. Today i have finally realised how poor i am. I earn £5000 a year working 14 hours a week in a job that was supposed to increase in hours but 2 years later and 3 new people later they are actually trying to get rid of me instead. I am applying to other jobs and just not hearing back from them at all. I have a degree in the arts and even jobs i would be great at wont accept me due to no experience or less than 2 years experience in that field. I think this is just a rant really. I have no savings and a big loan (£1,000). I can pay the loan off in time but its depressing isnt it? I live with my dm now and she works short hours so we get by but neither of us have savings or free money to do much. Just need to spend hours job searching again until someone accepts me.

OP posts:
sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 12/06/2018 23:48

Bella, you might have to be quite proactive in volunteering - I'd built up enough 'credit' with various groups to feel confident enough to approach various places and say 'HI! I'm great at this, just ask THESE people!' The place that replied first was the perfect fit for me - other places were, quite frankly, shite. Don't give up if you don't get a response from one place. It reflects more badly on them than it does on you.

You can start low - manning a desk, greeting visitors, even clearing tables. But it's about getting into the world you want to be in, and getting to know people. It might not be exactly where you saw yourself, but it builds up a relationship, and you'll be seen as reliable & they get to know you, rather than just a CV.

ayeportly · 13/06/2018 00:20

You have masses to offer - don't forget that! Some really good advice to follow.

Have you ever thought about courier deliveries for Hermes, DPD etc? I don't think you need your own transport.

Or driving children with SN to school? Obviously not fantastically paid but clearly defined hours which could be combined with other work.

If you want to get a bit of wanderlust out your system - try cabin crew with Ryanair or Easyjet.
Or write off on spec now to all the big travel companies and see if there are any vacancies as a Resort Rep...you never know someone might have dropped out early on in the season leaving them a person down. (That's how I ended up with one of the most fun, fulfilling jobs I ever had:)

Capitalise on your youth and enjoy Freedom of Movement while you still can...
If you would rather stay closer to home then do as a PP suggested and apply for posts that you don't quite fit the spec for...it is always worth taking a punt...you just might be exactly who they're looking for. Best of luck - it's rough I know, but somewhere out there is a job with your name on it!

BellaJessica · 13/06/2018 00:29

Thanks aye. Funny enough there was open interviews last week for quatar airways but i didnt go because i was at work but also it was based in the middle east and i dont fancy that but is worth looking at other airlines.

OP posts:
Onlyoldontheoutside · 13/06/2018 00:38

You say you wouldn't do careeork again but have you looked at hospital bank work.You have experience, conditions in hospitals are better than care homes so you will be ok as regards your arm ,the work is still hard but you can book hours as and when your available.This would take the pressure off re your present which must be stressful and as it is flexible(your choice its employees)would give you flexibility while looking for other work and give you a back up too.

crunchtime · 13/06/2018 00:52

www.indeed.co.uk/jobs-in-Warrington?vjk=3a2993aa5c92e0ad

marks and spencer are recruitng in warrington

loads of jobs on this website

beardymcbeardy · 13/06/2018 07:31

Will jusdgemental pp fuck off leave the ops grammar alone. Currently studying phd and my grammar is top notch. When it needs to be. Mn is not one of those places. Especially as I'm on a mobile. Op id suggest either a masters or try milkround website for graduate jobs?

elephantscanring · 13/06/2018 08:15

@Beardy - people are just saying how ill-advised some posters' advice is for OP to become an editor. That's all.

WindDoesNotBreakTheBendyTree · 13/06/2018 08:51

Liverpool Biennial opens next month and they need
front of house volunteers

Also a good fit with your experience, they have education programme too. It's hard work but they do good benefits and you work with a team of other people - it's led to new things for lots of those who take part.

Bowlofbabelfish · 13/06/2018 09:10

Ok, you need to treat this like a job in itself.

Firstly you need a job. Any job. That’s your immediate term goal.
Then think of the long term. What do you want long term? Is it realistic? Where do you want to be? How would you get there?

On the back of that, figure out how to get from immediate random admin type job to ‘actual job you want.’

So you need an immediate plan, a mid term plan and a long term plan.

Agencies - pick several. Look at the types of jobs they offer. Sit down with your CV and a cover letter and tailor it to the type of roles they offer. Go through a dozen or so job listings and note/highlight the key words they have in common (things like key skills, attributes etc.) then you need to make sure your CV and cover letter reflect that you can offer what they want. So maybe an office admin job needs software x y and z, personable manner, phone skills, filing, diary management etc. All those need to be in that cv and letter. Think of each job ad as a lock and key - you need to be showing in your cv how you fit their role and can benefit them as a company. Far too many people have a general list type CV that’s just them listing their achievements. A hirer is looking for ‘how can this person help us?’ NOT ‘oh they’ve done well’

Every job needs a tailored CV and cover letter. Spend time on it. Talk to people. Go into the agency in person - be polite, well presented and positive.

If you want to be a writer - then write. The writers I know wrote, and still write, constantly. What they didn’t do was initially get a job writing - they all did it around other jobs, in evenings and weekends, small bits here and there and built up.

LifeBeginsAtGin · 13/06/2018 09:42

Sorry for not getting back sooner.

Regarding your CV.

You can't have critiqued your application in 45 minutes whilst MNing!

It's no good sending the same CV off to every job vacancy. You need to tailor it to the main job descriptions. If it asks for team work you need to put something in your CV about working in a team. If it doesn't give a job description research what a similar role may ask for.

When people say "I have applied for 200 jobs" what they mean is they have sent the same bland CV to everyone. It's no wonder no one gets a job offer.

Stephisaur · 13/06/2018 09:52

Hi OP

Good luck with your job search, there's been some brilliant advice on the thread for you.

We have recently started hiring people through Indeed when we've been looking, and you definitely want to make your CV stand out.

My suggestions for a stand out CV are:

  • A personal statement about you as a person. This should make you seem friendly and keen to join our team
  • Relevant work experience. Your babysitting would look a bit like "filler" on a CV, so I would leave it off. It's better to just show your recent jobs and the fact you were at them for a sustained period of time.
  • Don't try to cram it all on one page.
  • Include a cover letter as part of your CV file. We found that we invited people to interviews more often when the CV was accompanied with a letter from the applicant detailing why they think they'd be a good fit at OUR company. It requires a bit of background research into the role you're applying for, but it usually worked :)

Hope this helps!! :)

bakingdemon · 13/06/2018 10:00

Have you considered having more than one job while you look for the right thing? If you're only working 14 hours a week you have time to fit another job around it. I would never dismiss service jobs like waitressing or retail - you will learn a lot from them. When I worked in retail I knew loads of people who'd started in a part time role on the shop floor, discovered they liked it and were good at it, and quickly moved into management roles. Don't close off any avenues while you're still so young and don't get stuck on a fixed idea of what you want to do. Unexpected opportunities are often the most exciting ones. I have accidentally ended up in a field very different from the one I started my career in, and if I'd been too fixed on one thing I'd never have been open to the field I now love and am successful in.

LifeBeginsAtGin · 13/06/2018 10:02

OP, if it's any help, when I last applied for a post I spent at least 3 days doing the application form.

If the vacancy gives you an end date, aim to submit your form a few days before. This gives you time to do your application, get someone to look over it for any typos, and to keep reviewing it.

Then 'save' it as a base for your next application and so on and so on.

If you get an interview write down the questions they asked you and practice the answers for your next interview.

WTFnnoh · 13/06/2018 10:44

I know you say you’re not business minded but working for yourself could be a great option especially as you have interests and a degree in a creative field. Go to business gateway. They will guide you and may be able to get a start up grant. They were very helpful when my OH was setting up his business and will help you find resources for you to learn what you need to know.

BellaJessica · 13/06/2018 10:52

Thank you these are brilliant. Cover letter seems to be a yes totally. I applied for a job last night and they sent me an application form this morning so going to fill that in.

OP posts:
Pascall · 13/06/2018 15:00

Sorry, I've not rtft but have you heard of Smartworks?

They offer interview technique plus other services such as an interview outfit or working wardrobe.

apologies if it's already been mentioned.

MrsDesireeCarthorse · 13/06/2018 15:04

Christ on a bike at being told to apply for teaching in a private school, totally unrealistic for OP with no relevant volunteering experience or a strong cv. Those jobs are strongly contested.

Join a temp agency, call centre work etc

GahWhatever · 13/06/2018 15:18

It asked for a cv only. I have a cv to hand.
Every job which may involve someone checking your CV for more than your age and name (ie pretty much anything) needs a CV which has the profile section tweaked into a personal statement as to what your skills are that tie in to this role. Every single one.
You were interested in becoming an art teacher but dropped the idea because one of your friends didn't like teaching? I guess this was about the same time as your MH issues?
It's time to get back on that horse. Consider FE teaching: people are generally there because they choose the subject so that challenges aren't the same as in school. Get your post grad qualifications and give it a go!

GahWhatever · 13/06/2018 15:20

YY to whoever suggested young woman's organisation above.
Also lots of other ways to get volunteer experience with young people: Girlguiding, Scouts, St John ambulance, drama clubs etc etc,

BettyBaggins · 13/06/2018 18:06

I am fascinated by your families nomadic history, can you write a blog about it please!?

LiteraryDevil1 · 13/06/2018 18:31

Not sure if been mentioned but have you checked to see if you are entitled to any benefits to top up your low wages? I would have thought you'd be entitled to some kind of help until you get something better.

PolkerrisBeach · 13/06/2018 18:51

I'm a part time copywriter from home. I work 10 hours per week tops and earn more than twice what the OP earns.

Problem is, you need the proactive gene. You need to stand on your own two feet, get out there, look for opportunities, pitch yourself on websites, bid for work, etc etc. Work is never going to fall into your lap. Lots of people however just don't have the basic nouse to work for themselves and OP hasn't really demonstrated anything to indicate she could make a go of it.

BellaJessica · 13/06/2018 22:20

betty it would make a fairly small blog post but ive read a book thats kind of similar called rabbit stew and a penny or two. Its not completely the same but has similar elements :)

OP posts:
BettyBaggins · 13/06/2018 22:24

The history of your family, the places they visited, where they slept, ate, worked, wore, could be as long or as short as you make the time to find out and research Bella.

I shall look up that book, thanks for the tip Flowers

RailReplacementBusService · 13/06/2018 22:24

OP have you looked into whether there are any organisations that exist to support people from you mother’s ethnic background? They might have access to training or schemes perhaps? Worth a bit of a research anyway.