AIBU I’ve made myself unemployable?

[Jobdramallama]

Hi all, I’m posting here for traffic and looking for some insight.

I’m currently unemployed and applying for everything and anything. Retail, office, whatever. But absolutely no one is even replying let alone actually turning me down. My employment history is sketchy. I trained to a level 2 working in education and EY but most jobs require level 3 which id need a job to be able to train for. So those jobs don’t want me.
Anything else can see I’ve worked in education so I think turn me down on the basis of it being so different to office/retail/hospitality.
My brief hospitality experience is currently pointless.
I have huge gaps in my history for bouts of MH issues where I just fucked about because I couldn’t get my head together.
I’m in my mid 20s.

I’m so poor, DP is putting (understandably) big pressure on me to get something soon as he’s currently furloughed and his safety net of savings is getting low supporting both of us and multiple pets. I’m so desperate yet no one will take me on.

I’m in the bottom 1%, this is almost a year of unemployment now (since lockdown 1.0). UC are saying if I don’t get something soon they’ll make me work voluntary hours (30 a week, for 290 a month). I feel so worthless and desperate and I don’t know what to do.

Sorry to hear this. I'm employed but looking for a new job and it's really tough at the moment.

Do you want to work in childcare? If so would you be able to take a voluntary placement in a childcare role and study the level 3 qualification while volunteering?

Otherwise you could look for childcare admin roles eg. Work in the office at a school? Or work at a soft play or children's attraction (once these reopen).?

Good luck!

Anything else can see I’ve worked in education so I think turn me down on the basis of it being so different to office/retail/hospitality.
You need an absolute killer cover letter to sell your experience and abilities to the different industry.

Agree with @Peakedin1997 , many take level 3 alongside volunteering in school/nursery/preschool etc or you may be able to find a l3 apprenticeship. Do you have gcse English and Maths?

I think you need to talk to your GP about how you are feeling.

Job wise, could you do care work?

Which part of the country are you in, OP?

Would care work be appropriate or deliveries? It is really tough, I wish you all the best with the applications

What's wrong with working voluntary hours? Would it not give you the experience that you seem to need?

Why shouldn't you be doing voluntary work? It shows commitment, reliability, can provide an up to date reference and lead to training opportunities and potentially even job opportunities.

Every single person currently employed in the company I work for started as a volunteer.

@Iqqq

What's wrong with working voluntary hours? Would it not give you the experience that you seem to need?

Its thirty hours a week for 290 a month plus you still need to job search on top personally im against this I could understand a day or two to gain experience but giving employers free workers stops them employing a person and paying them

@Jobdramallama How about nannying or mother's help work? You won't need level 3. childcare.co.uk is really good for getting local work and directly contacting parents. There is a fair amount of work around at the moment with people finding WFH and looking after children tough.

Theunamedcat
Spot on.

Have you had a look at Brook Street? Temping might give you some more recent work experience and money and it's always easier to get a job when you have one, even if it's a temporary job

It's tough, but you have to keep trying. I was wondering about care work too. I got my first care job with no previous experience. It isn't great pay, but can let you demonstrate you'd be a reliable employee. There are often options for overtime if money is tight.

I'd wonder if you can big up the transferable skills from your time in education - e.g. working within a team, time management, use of initiative to solve problems.

I sympathise OP; I was unemployed for 6 months in my early 20s and it was awful, made me feel worthless and hopeless too. I would just be honest about your gaps in employment and just say "health reasons", I don't think employers can legally ask for further details.

Do you know anyone who works in retail? At the store I work in we can recommend people for jobs and sometimes that's quicker/easier than going through the recruitment process. That may help if you know of anyone?

Good Luck I'm sure others will have more advice too

Look at your local hospital job site. Usually loads of jobs there

Good luck OP. It will come right I the end.

What have you put on your CV to cover the MH gaps?
Do you have a good personal statement at the top selling your transferable skills?
I echo @burritofan’s advice re a killer cover letter that again sells yourself, and your skills, in more detail than your personal statement. And you tailor this for each role you apply for, and your CV too if necessary.

Could you do training for something with a bursary? There are some NHS ones for various things. The bursaries can be reasonably generous then you're set up with skills to get work.

I’d echo the childcare/nannying option - it’s in very high demand right now due to schools being off and if you worked in schools and early years and have a DBS I’d imagine you can definitely find work.

Apparently nanny agencies are really busy right now because of lockdown and you have a great background. Wishing you the best of luck. Xx

What about care work? It's not glamorous but you can start at the bottom and work your way up if you want to.

NHS would be best but you could start in a care home. Focusing on others (and not yourself) might be good for your mental health.

Don't worry about the gaps. Just say that you've spent that time travelling. Get your story straight, be positive and say you're looking for a fresh start in something different.

Good luck. You can do it!

For those suggesting cover letters and CVs, they’re not really a thing anymore! Maybe in some higher level and niche jobs, but in the type the OP is looking for a it’s all online application forms which can be quite restrictive and are particularly tricky if you don’t have a straightforward work history.

I sympathise OP. It’s tough.

Have you tried agencies

I had some gaps due to mental health . I’m not sure if it’s the thing to do but I put caring responsibilities.
I’m not sure if you want to do any courses while you are waiting but there are lots of free level 2 courses that you can do online . Look at bridge water and Taunton collage . They do lots of free ones distance learning . They can be in everything from it skills to customer service

Can you work as a nanny? If you enjoy childcare this is tonnes better pay than a nursery. Its hard working on your own but if you find the right family you'll love it.