To think I maybe stuck for life in dead end jobs

[Biscooits]

I worked hard at school and ended up getting 3 A-levels and a BA (hons) English Literature. I was very ambitious.

I even managed to briefly break into a career that is notoriously hard to get into. Then my world fell apart and I have never recovered from the turmoil.

Fast forward 20 some years later and here I am with a crap work history and no real job prospects it seems.

Is there any way to recover and actually get a career I enjoy or am I destined to a life of dead end jobs.

It is my fault. I am not making any excuses. I do feel lost though and would like to know if I can somehow claw my way out of the mess I have made.

To be fair, they do tend to be targeted at “recent” graduates - as a first step into whatever industry. But (as long as there’s not a time limit mentioned about when you actually graduated), why not try them? You might want to talk about the successes you’ve had in your time since graduation, what transferable skills you’ve got etc.

Or would mature apprenticeships be a thing for your areas of interest?

have you tried speaking with a career coach? Might that help you narrow down, or target areas you want to work in? Then work on whether it’s just your Cv that needs polished, or could you do some training or voluntary work or entry level job to bolster your next application?

Yes definitely comparing everything to then. I found the work really suited me. Everything I have done since bores me to death.

I don't even think it's really glamorous, but it is so interesting.

What is your degree?

All those nmw type jobs I'd hate too.

You can google returnships and see if anything looks interesting.

I honestly believe that I it's who you know not what you know when it comes to getting good jobs . Take my sister she got a payroll job despite having no office experience whatsoever. Her manager friend got her the job and gave her a crash course in payroll before she started .

@Goldunicorn I think now I have some breathing space, I am going to try and explore every option to get out of this mess. I would happily pay a qualified professional.

With regards to mature apprenticeships, I would definitely do one that suited me.

English Literature

My mother always says this. It is a lot about luck too.

It’s worth looking!

When my DH finished uni and he was doing lots of grad scheme assessment days and so many of them had people who were older that had done different jobs first but wanted to do something different.

Especially as unless it’s particularly technical most places assume they’re training someone from scratch anyway.

If you're able to do some more study then I'd say that's a great way of making a career change. No, you absolutely do not need to be stuck. There are plenty of people these days who change careers so you won't be unusual.

I totally disagree that it's who you know. Most jobs recruit on competence.

There might be shitty employers who don't, but there's also excellent employers who recruit base on ability and potential, so the example of the payroll job is all very well, but she might have got it for being the best of a bad bunch of applicants or they saw her transferable skills were great and knew she could learn to do a great job.

Sitting around wringing your hands is counterproductive and doesn't get you jobs or make you happy. I know because I dithered for 7yrs on whether to start fertility treatment or get a donor for sperm, and lost my chance. Different scenarios, same sorts of outcomes.

You need to say "fuck it" and just apply for jobs. If you don't try, you'll never know. Even if you get some knock backs, you might get a great role!

Lots of English Lit grads I know work in the Marketing/Comms field. Anything of interest there?

Yes that is the only other type of work that I think would suit me.

I have no idea how to get into it though and to be really honest, I have definitely lost the flair and skills I used to have.

@Karamna @PinkPlantCase thank you for your positivity and encouragement I need it.

I have been doing that though and got nowhere. I think I need a strategy while I have the opportunity of some breathing space for once.

I am definitely not sitting around whining. I just want some advice as I always think Mumsnet is so full of incredibly intelligent women.

Is there a creative hobby group you could join to build up a bit of a portfolio of creative things? It could give you something to talk about in interviews

That is a really good idea. Thank you.

Hi OP. I am guessing you're the same age as me (mid-40s). At this point in life, the grades you got at school and what you studied are largely irrelevant. It's all about experience. And on that criteria, I guess the default would be to remain in dead-end jobs, as you call it. them. You need to find something you're passionate about.

I think others are right when they say you remember your job in the TV industry rose tinted glasses as it was in the time before your life fell apart. But maybe turn this around. You've gained a lot of life experience, not least whatever traumatic event it was back in your younger years. Could that be the route to find ing your passion? A job where you can support others, using your lived experience?

You might find the voluntary sector is the place for you. Good luck!

I tried that and it caused horrible flashbacks unfortunately.

I love your idea of when life gives you lemons make lemonade though.

I don't think it was rose-tinted glasses though. I loved it because it suited me, my personality and my interests.

I have 16 years experience in marketing and comms and finding a decent job is hell.

400 flippin applicants under the age of 25 and there's me drifting in going "helllloooooo 👋" and they basically shut me down citing my age as the issue as "you won't fit in with the team due to your age"

I've just (today) organised volunteering my marketing skills so hopefully that'll make me feel less shite.

It's very difficult!

My partner is late 30s and looking into changing careers to get out of dead end jobs. He has seen a cyber security course which has great reviews, it's about £1k to do the course but guaranteed job when you pass on at least 25k

And also I'm finding a lot of marketing and comms roles are given to friends!

Sad but very very true (here at least!)

Oh bloody hell. I am sorry to hear that. You must have so much good experience too.

Oh where can I find that? I will have a look. Good luck to him.

Are there any good courses or apprenticeships for marketing/comms. I'd love to brush up my skills doing something interesting.

Can you freelance if they are going to be such ageist idiots?

I am freelancing but I feel like I drift from one job to the next without actually progressing anywhere. It's enabling me to procrastinate and stagnate.

I want structure and a career. And I need processes, routine and regulation 😂

I've just started a free OU course to brush up on my skills, someone recommended it to me on my thread. So pleased...

There's probably apprenticeships for digital marketing but it depends on where you are. I'm not near a big city so the opportunities here are very limiting and depressing.

Have a lookie :)