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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Original poster
tbear2O19 · 05/04/2019 20:35

Tbf the only ones that I've seen have applications were Asda and aldi.
But yes will try harder with the applications

OP posts:
HoraceCope · 06/04/2019 07:13

I also would not use Indeed, appalling experience, absolutely no response.

IceRebel · 06/04/2019 07:30

My CV was done in the job centre and then checked over at a work group

Is there anyone else you can get to check it out for you, the job centre tend to butcher CVs and make them too generic.

I must say i'm surprised you haven't found a role in the care sector. They're desperate for staff, and people can usually walk into a role there with no experience.

Original poster
tbear2O19 · 06/04/2019 07:52

Yes it was checked over at a work group
I've only applied for about 3 care assistant jobs. One was 3-10pm and I couldn't manage that.
Another was 7-3 but an hours commute, I couldn't do that either and the other one was BANK staff but the actual home is laying off loads of their staff so not sure I wanna sign up for that.

I hope I don't come across as lazy Sad I have three children under the age of 5 which is why filling out application forms just leaves me numb! But I do appreciate that it looks better

OP posts:
septembersunshine · 06/04/2019 07:53

I have friends that started to just do lunch time playground duties and then a few off them got asked to do a few hours reading with the kids. One became a school dinner lady. After that they then became teaching assistance. Maybe volunteer somewhere just to build up your cv? Just start slowly and see whete it takes you.

Feel for you op. I went back to work part -time after 10 years at home. Took me ages to get it and only ended up with it because the other lady turned it down. I got pg again and was only there a year. Its bloody hard this.

Alternatively is there a job you can do from home while you apply for stuff?

HoraceCope · 06/04/2019 07:54

Even if the home are laying people off, you could still do the bank shifts

HoraceCope · 06/04/2019 07:54

do you have a hospital near you? what is the biggest employer? get on the hospital bank for either admin or caring

HoraceCope · 06/04/2019 07:55

I dont think you are lazy but you are looking in the wrong places imo

Original poster
tbear2O19 · 06/04/2019 07:58

I did check the hospital jobs but there is only jobs looking for nurses or blood drs but I will check it regularly.
How does doing bank work work when you get help with childcare? surely they need to be in constant childcare for you to be entitled to help? Which is why I'm not really keen on it

OP posts:
WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 06/04/2019 08:01

I know I’ve already said this but got no response so I’ll try again. Have you tried your local McDonalds? They’re great with flexible working which is what you need.

HoraceCope · 06/04/2019 08:04

i dont understand your childcare question i am sorry,
are you free evenings? when is your oh available so you can work?

4strings · 06/04/2019 08:25

The thing about application forms is that in a lot of cases they don’t just “look better” they actually form part of the recruitment process!

I don’t think you’re lazy; you’re very naive about how the job market works, however.

Original poster
tbear2O19 · 06/04/2019 08:42

Sorry yes there is a McDonalds,I will check them out!
I'm not sure I understand it myself! If I got help with childcare from the likes of UC, would you still be entitled to it even though you have no idea when your shifts would be?
He is available mornings. No I can't do evenings.

I meant better in the sense of not just handing out a generic CV. I did eventually fill out the one for Aldi after two long days I managed it and they said no Grin I don't mind usual application forms but ones where they ask you to add up or select how you'd behave infront of customers in situations that would never happen just irritate me!

OP posts:
JustDrained48 · 06/04/2019 08:51

Have joined the local jobs groups on Facebook for your area ?
Not sure what part of the country you are in but there are loads of jobs that people post on a daily basis

TheWashingMachine · 06/04/2019 08:58

I've just got a job after many years out, PND etc (8 years) . Just persevere it took over a year and in the end I just applied for every job I saw on LinkedIn which is how I got mine. Xx

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 06/04/2019 15:02

Sorry yes there is a McDonalds,I will check them out!
I'm not sure I understand it myself! If I got help with childcare from the likes of UC, would you still be entitled to it even though you have no idea when your shifts would be?
He is available mornings. No I can't do evenings.

tbear2O19 They’re fantastic for flexible working, and most contracts now are guaranteed hours. Schedules should also be posted at least a month in advance so you’ll know when you’ll be working.

On the application you can let them know your availability. If you are rejected, apply again as fully flex, because McDonalds want to hire happy, positive, enthusiastic people, so if you display this at the interview and mention your availability then they will do their best to accommodate you.

I’m a manager at McDonalds, so if you need any help feel free to PM me. I’ve been there with the anxiety and McDonalds has just been an amazing company to work for. They’ve really looked after me and gave me the support and confidence to go into management, when working alone was unthinkable at one time.

BlackPrism · 06/04/2019 16:14

I applied for hundreds after I graduated and got F all responses. Finally, settled for an apprenticeship after 3 months.... masters degree to apprenticeship was not what I thought I'd do but it has got me into a good industry.

What kind of jobs are you applying for? With no experience you need to go in really low I'm afraid and work your way up.

Or, put yourself on Gumtree and become a cleaner?

BlackPrism · 06/04/2019 16:54

Oh, and get yourself on Linked In

Livvylovesgin · 06/04/2019 22:04

I did look at the council jobs but they are mostly looking for school teachers.

I find this hard to believe too...but then you did say in another post that you only use indeed ( so perhaps not the council website after all?)

On my council's website, there are advertised, this week approx 200 jobs. 10 of these are for teachers, 15 for other council roles, all of the others are for caring roles in old people's homes, cleaners for schools ( about 40 different jobs), 3 caretakers, numerous 'lollipop' ladies/men and 20 school dinner time staff including cooks and kitchen assistants.

One school near to me has advertised the school cleaner job for a whole year and not filled the post ( the admin officer has had to clean the school!).
Please have another look at your council website.

lhw92 · 06/04/2019 22:22

As someone who is also currently job hunting, just wanted to say good luck!! It’s such a humbling experience

MontyBowJangles · 06/04/2019 22:38

Yup, humbling indeed! I'm just starting to try and get back in after five years out.

Previously, I've managed to get jobs easily as my English/SPAG is great on forms and I'm confident and been told I interview very well. I'm bubbly and friendly and know lots of people so am sure I've been offered jobs before because of who I know, not what.

However ! Things have changed in the last decade it would seem (apart from wages, they look exactly the same Hmm). Maybe it's because I'm looking for a p/t school hours job too? I've applied for 4, been interviewed for one, not got anywhere with the other three. I poured my heart and soul into each application (one took me around 4hrs) so it's disheartening to say the least.

Keep on keeping on OP! Will keep everything crossed for you.

Unclebuck3 · 06/04/2019 22:50

Another vote for McDonalds! I’ve just had my third shift there, returning to work after 5 years off as a sahm. As a pp said it’s an awesome company, fantastic training and lots of opportunities for progression. I think all the managers start off as crew members, so people of all ages there not just teenagers.

OldAndWornOut · 06/04/2019 22:54

I'm quite tempted by MacDonalds myself now.
I work in care and obviously childcare for shifts is always a problem.
Plus, I think MacDonalds pay is more!

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 06/04/2019 23:03

I think all the managers start off as crew members, so people of all ages there not just teenagers.

Unclebuck3 Yeah, pretty much everyone high up started as a crew member. They really, really like to promote positive, enthusiastic, hard workers who’ve been loyal to them. The majority of franchise owners actually started as crew members and worked their way up.

After all, McDonalds is not a job you can just walk into, nor is it an easy job. It’s hard but rewarding work, and if you haven’t started from the very bottom you cannot manage effectively because you wouldn’t know what you were doing.

We have a culture where everyone above you has done exactly what you’re doing now. We managers aren’t asking you to do anything we haven’t done; we understand because we’ve done it ourselves.

This also means we can coach and train to a high standard because we have to be experts in every single part of McDonalds before even being allowed to be considered for promotion and sent on the management course.

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 06/04/2019 23:04

Plus, I think MacDonalds pay is more!

OldAndWornOut Yes, the pay is really quite good!