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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be struggling trying to get a job

113 replies

tbear2O19 · 01/04/2019 17:20

After raising my children, getting over PND, PTSD and battling with anxiety. I'd quite like to re enter the work place

However it's proving difficult, I've been out of work for a while so I don't have any references or confidence tbh.
I got help with my CV, which was about 5 weeks ago now. So far I have applied for 61 jobs and nada.

I even applied for a job and within 10 hours they'd emailed me saying sorry but no.
I do have a job interview for spoons (yay go me, summoning the courage is proving difficult but I got nicer fitting trousers and a nice top!) But on the other hand I'm deflated, it's only a few hours on a Saturday. Is that all I'm worth? Lol

Not strictly a BU question but I know I can rely on a few of you to kick my ass and make me realise I just need to power on!!

OP posts:

Unihorn · 01/04/2019 17:26

Are you tailoring your application each time? Sorry if that's a pretty basic question. I recruit for restaurants and I tend to discount any applicants who haven't taken the time to sincerely say why they want to work for us and what they already know about the brand.

GooodMythicalMorning · 01/04/2019 17:28

Surely anything for the time being is better than nothing. at least it's something else you will be able to add to a cv.

Dragongirl10 · 01/04/2019 17:28

Op please keep going , even if you get a job for just a few hours on a Saturday, you will soon have a referee for another position from that...also you will have some up to date work experience.

GreenTulips · 01/04/2019 17:29

I agree your CV can remain largely the same but you need a covering letter

It should be I am trustworthy organised reliable team player etc tailored to the individual job requirements

Once you get a job it’s easier to find another so don’t give up hope

AskMeHow · 01/04/2019 17:29

Even if you only get a few hours at Spoons, it's a) a start and potentially a v good reference for your next job b) if you turn out to be hardworking and reliable I reckon your hours will go up quite quickly.

Good luck!

Livedandlearned · 01/04/2019 17:30

I've been applying for a few hobs recently and the only interviews that I got were for the jobs that I sat down and did loads of research about, and made notes then transferred it all across to the application, making cross references to how I would suit the job.

Time consuming but I got results, and I don't have much experience and I have one referee from a previous job, and had to use a character reference from a friend.

Livedandlearned · 01/04/2019 17:30

Jobs not hobs

AlmostGrockle · 01/04/2019 17:31

If you can get the Spoons job maybe stick it long enough to get a reference then look for something else? It's better than nothing.

Good luck anyway.

SilverySurfer · 01/04/2019 17:34

I don't know what sort of work are you looking for but if it's office based have you thought about going to an agency for temporary work? Quite often if you show the company you're a good worker, it works for them as they don't have to interview countless unsuitable applicants and obviously works for you.

I worked in HR and employed many people via this route. I also found myself a job this way after being made redundant and my manager admitted that had I sent him my cv it would have gone straight in the bin - I was far too old. He was a perfectly good manager apart from being ageist.

Expressedways · 01/04/2019 17:34

It’s so much easier to get a job when you already have a job. Give the Spoons interview everything you’ve got, if you get it (fingers crossed), worse case scenario it’s some recent experience on your CV but it could lead to much more; I know someone that started off doing weekends at a pub chain and is now an area manager! Good luck.

malificent7 · 01/04/2019 17:38

Nothing wrong with working at Spoons.

Original poster

tbear2O19 · 01/04/2019 17:39

I didn't say there was?

OP posts:

aintnothinbutagstring · 01/04/2019 17:39

Guessing the few hours on a Saturday is just the minimum contract hours, you will most likely get more hours than that.

mimibunz · 01/04/2019 17:40

How about signing up a couple of temporary agencies?

Original poster

tbear2O19 · 01/04/2019 17:40

No there won't be more hours, it says somebody to work Saturday evening. You will be required to work 3 Saturday evening's out of 4

OP posts:

Original poster

tbear2O19 · 01/04/2019 17:43

I did sign up to 3 agencies as they said they had various shifts going but so far haven't heard back

OP posts:

Livedandlearned · 01/04/2019 17:59

What sort of job do you want? If you could choose one?

Original poster

tbear2O19 · 01/04/2019 18:00

As for what type of work, anything!
I've previously done sales assistant, helping out at meal times in a care home, ad hoc cleaning, and more recently I volunteered in a hospital (dont know the actual title) but it was mainly somebody to sit/talk to patient's, play board games and stuff like that.
The types I've applied for have been cleaning, bar work ( I figured these were the easiest jobs to get!), care assistant type work and retail type jobs

OP posts:

Livedandlearned · 01/04/2019 18:07

An apprenticeship might be a good option or a traineeship.

Such as a HCSW for the NHS.

I've also seen apprenticeships for office work. It doesn't matter if you're not a teenager, there are places that take on people who are willing to do a course that leads to a qualification as long as you put in the work.

Original poster

tbear2O19 · 01/04/2019 18:10

And yet another rejection, I'd applied for a kitchen porter in a hotel
I know it's not been long and it can take months but it's so disheartening

OP posts:

bellabasset · 01/04/2019 18:15

The care sector is very short staffed, so have you looked into that? How many hours do you want to work? Do you have any qualifications for care work, do you have medication training , hygiene certificate, first aid etc? Are you able to work evenings or weekends? Would you be willing to train?

I would phone round to see if there were any positions available and check whether the care home appealed. There is a vast shortage of care in the community places if you're happy to drive every day.

Original poster

tbear2O19 · 01/04/2019 18:30

Yeah I've applied for two or three care assistant jobs, it's as and when I see them that I apply.
I can work any hours, preferably not early night time as I have no childcare but no problem with after midnight (loading trucks, serving in bars type thing)
No qualifications for that no
I can work weekends.
I can't do care at home work as I can't drive

OP posts:

blueshoes · 01/04/2019 19:11

OP, it sounds like you are flexible and realistic. I hope the right job comes round the corner for you soon

GooodMythicalMorning · 01/04/2019 19:11

I cant drive either. (Had many many lessons and just completely failed at it) I find it makes it more difficult job hunting as many want you in different places all the time.

LimeKiwi · 01/04/2019 19:15

Are you me? I'm in exactly the same position, been at home for about 10 years now with kids and now desperate to get back out there.
It's hard though as you say, what with no recent experience etc.

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