To feel so clueless about how to get a job nowadays?!

[Hellorhighwater]

Through complex and boring circumstances, I am planning to try and go back to work part time, although up to now we have been ok. I have no idea how to go about it. Just ….none. It’s been about 20 years since I looked for a job in general, and I’m a lone parent with a child who’s old enough to be left, but not full time and is too old for formal child care options, so there are barriers.

I’ve been faffing over it for ages. I got a degree, I’ve worked in admin, and I retrained as an HCP worked in the NHS for fifteen years (registration now lapsed) I’ve been part-time self employed since having a child, who has just started secondary school.

My skills are at best outdated and ‘transferable’. I’m not above stacking shelves for minimum wage, but is that my only realistic option? Where do I even look for something beyond that? Google has produced either ‘surveys’ for pennies, obvious pyramid schemes or recruitment agencies that endlessly spam me with things I am not remotely qualified for. Where are all the in-between jobs for people with transferable skills?

I feel utterly pathetic and clueless, but I genuinely can’t get a grip on how the process works these days. It all seems so different from the local-paper-and-cards-in-the-job-centre process I remember. It feels impossible. Clearly, I need to pull myself together and go looking for my good attitude, but I think I also need help. Or do I just need a slap?

Have a look at the civil service jobs website. There are lots of admin type roles where you don’t necessarily need particular skills, lots of room for advancement if that’s something you would want. Hybrid working so that you can be at home 3 days for your DC, flexi working so that even if you’re in an office you can leave around 3pm and log on again from home for the rest of the day. The application process is a pain in the neck but worth it for the benefits.

What were you previously doing as a registered practitioner? Can you do a refresher course and go back to that?

Some NHS trusts have bank work for admin and similar type jobs if this is of any interest. There is an NHS jobs website: www.jobs.nhs.uk which has all kinds of things. With bank jobs you get offered jobs and can choose the ones that suit in terms of hours.

GPs are often looking for admin staff at the moment but it is a tough job right now! They often allow part time working as well though, especially leaving early for school pick ups.

It sounds like your experience would be very useful for those kinds of jobs, even if you didn't want to work as an HCP again. These organisations might also support you in regaining registration.

Local Job centre jobs are also online these days.

If you have a quiet space to work from at home there are plenty of companies looking for full and part time customer service type roles. I suppose it depends on what rate of pay you would be happy with etc but it has worked out well for me for the past 2 years.

You go on the job boards and look at jobs that interest you and make an application.

Indeed.co.uk
Reed.co.uk
Totaljobs.com

And so on.

Civil service is a good idea or local government/council jobs. Are there any careers advice services in your area they could give you a hand with your CV/job applications and help you look for opportunities too. Libraries are a good resource for finding such services if you have a decent library service in your area. Could you also keep an eye on the NHS website for office based/admin roles then once you’re in look for internal vacancies more related to your experience? Is there anywhere you enjoy visiting as a customer that you might like to work at? Nice local cafes, Waterstones, a certain clothes shop etc? That way you could get some staff discount and would enjoy the overall environment even if it’s not what you want to do forever.

@sundaydayisnotmyfundayday

If you have a quiet space to work from at home there are plenty of companies looking for full and part time customer service type roles. I suppose it depends on what rate of pay you would be happy with etc but it has worked out well for me for the past 2 years.

Where do you find these roles?

Have a look at your local council recruitment website. They cover everything from call centre and admin to care/social/ health work.

They usually have a 'temp/ recruitment pool' that you can apply too and that might help you find a way in and try out a role before committing if it's not right for you.

Thank you

I've gained employment through a recruitment agency. It's only warehouse work, weekends so I can still do school runs. It's almost £13 ph

Honestly. Go and talk to the jobcentre. It's their reason for existence to help people move into work.

Log on to Indeed and do a job search on there. There are plenty of jobs that offer training and a good salary at the same time. Call centres are crying out for staff at the moment and can offer family friendly shifts if that's what you're looking for. Where are you based OP?

Would working from home appeal to you? Monzo have entirely remote jobs going in admin; I know someone starting with them relatively soon and he's been offered 3, 4, or 5 days a week remotely working on their live chat. Full training will be offered remotely.

Here's a link to Monzo's job openings monzo.com/careers/

Also consider setting yourself up on LinkedIn - I'm happy in my job, but I hear from others that a lot of great job adverts get posted on there first.

You might want to register with a few temp agencies. In my experience (admittedly out of date) if you register with 3 or 4, one of them will find you work and you'll never hear a word from the others - so if you go that route, register with as many as you can although availability might depend on your location, there are many more in the big cities.

A temp role or two would give you a bit of recent experience for your CV, and let you get back into the workplace without being tied down to something specific, or going through endless interviews. It might also give you a feel for what kind of jobs you would or wouldn't like.

LinkedIn is also a good place to look... if you set up a profile people will come looking for you.

@Dontbeadobber

Have a look at the civil service jobs website. There are lots of admin type roles where you don’t necessarily need particular skills, lots of room for advancement if that’s something you would want. Hybrid working so that you can be at home 3 days for your DC, flexi working so that even if you’re in an office you can leave around 3pm and log on again from home for the rest of the day. The application process is a pain in the neck but worth it for the benefits.

Definitely second this OP - I was about to suggest the same. I’ve worked in the civil service for a while, and very happy to answer any questions you have - feel free to PM me :)

Contact the national careers service for advice. Free.

www.work-for-scotland.org/ you don't say where you are in the country, but if you are in Scotland and the civil service appeals, Scottish government jobs are all advertised on the link above.

What did you do in the NHS where your registration has lapsed? Did you enjoy it? If you've been out of it for a while, apply for band 5 roles and get back in with a renewed registration. Sometimes you can get return to work supervised posts etc think it depends on what profession it is as to how easy they are to come by.

You need to put together your CV. Make it clear and professional

Highlight what you're good at

Get a LinkedIn profile with an open to work banner on your profile & photo. Clearly state your location and availability in your profile. Make it a reflection of your CV. Check your DMs regularly and reply. Comment on & like posts for visibility

Get your CV on to the job boards - all of them. Be clear about your salary expectations, location and contact details

Contact Recruitment agencies that recruit in areas you're wanting to work - no point registering with an IT agency if you don't work in tech for example. If it's general admin /CS you want, look for one that says it does commercial or business support Recruitment. That's what we term office jobs. Generally ones that aren't too specialised.

Check local authority job pages - same with NHS

Job centre at a push although they don't get direct access to many jobs these days apart from warehouse/production - round here anyway.

Ask around - people know people who know people!

Are you still close to the NHS Trust you worked at? They will have admin roles, usually starting on band 3 and your experience will be relevant. Usually in roles like HR, EA, estates etc

There are some really good Recruitment agencies that specialise in pub sec / NHS Jon's too. They know what criteria you'll fit. Google them in your area

@Sidneysussex

What were you previously doing as a registered practitioner? Can you do a refresher course and go back to that?

It’s six months, full time (no pay) on placements, formal study and self directed learning, or getting someone to ‘supervise’ me on a similar basis. And then I’d get a basic grade post and have to start again at the bottom. It’s not in the least appealing, and judging by the handful of people that have managed it, not very common! I’m happy with my decision to move on. I did think about going back as an assistant, but I think it would be hard not to overstep my boundaries. Better to do something completely different, I think.

@DailyMailcanfuckthefuckoff

Here's a link to Monzo's job openings monzo.com/careers/

Also consider setting yourself up on LinkedIn - I'm happy in my job, but I hear from others that a lot of great job adverts get posted on there first.

I thought that would be amazing, but look at their shifts! I think it would be a doable with a partner, or maybe an older teen, but half the weekend days and 12 evenings a month, it feels undoable . Guess I could see if they’d consider part time, but there’s no mention of it.