To be a bit lost? (New job)

[LanceandBecky]

Not strictly an AIBU, I'm sorry, but I could really do with honest advice. I'll try and be brief.

I have an arts degree, and for the first 5 years of my career I worked as a copywriter. Then I met DH and we renovated property, so were self employed.

Unfortunately I had a total breakdown after being attacked, I won't go into detail but I became agoraphobic, anxious and depressed. I didn't work at all, DH went back to working full time as a driver.

Five years of recovery and I wanted to get back into work, but nothing stressful or pressured. I found a part time job in a supermarket, and my confidence and trust in the world came back.

Now I'm wondering about the next step - I'd like an admin-type WFH job as I'm about to move somewhere rural, but where on earth would consider me?

My main skills are communication and customer service, attention to detail, very organised, I pick things up quickly, very focused when needed and I enjoy a challenge/multi tasking. I don't want to write copy again, the industry has developed beyond me now.

Help!

Would a WFH-only job be good for the hard won confidence you have rebuilt?

It's really hard to build trust in colleagues and the organisation when you're not seeing them too. After all you've been through and how hard you've worked to get where you are, I would be worried it might erode some of that confidence and trust in the world that you've found.

It's difficult to learn a new role and new organisation without having any in-person time. Even if you know the role and organisation it can still be very tough and isolating.

Setting aside the WFH aspect for a moment, registering with a temp agency is one avenue to build experience especially if you don't want to end up with organisational pressures.

Thank you so much for your reply.

That's a really good point. Perhaps my old agoraphobic tendencies are coming into play with wanting WFH?

Perhaps I should be considering an in-office role, something part time, closer to where the new house is. I think this big change has me unnerved!

Try the civil service; I’ve been looking for a wfh civil service position and there seem to be a few, but I’m not going for them because I don’t want to be customer facing or doing telephone work. It could work for you with your customer facing/communication background.

VA work. A friend runs a VA agency so the VA she uses don't have a lot of the leg work that running your own set up would have

You could try something in IT. You could get a hybrid role where you WFH some days and go in some days. Maybe something in IT support or sales/marketing since you already have customer service experience.

Local authority WFH admin or accounts assistant, often regular office catch ups or Teams calls.

Do you drive? Hope so, as otherwise the rural living and WFH could well lead you back into the agoraphobic spiral. Better to get a job that keeps you in contact with people at least for some of the week and keeps challenging you and stretching your comfort zone rather than taking a step back. Sounds like your still relatively early in your working life so best to not limit options too much. A lot will depend on where you're moving to, but there are a lot of arts admin jobs where they'd love someone who really wants to stick at the role rather than using it as a short term stepping stone into a creative position.

Luckily I do drive! I have managed to get back into my hobbies too, so these will still allow contact with others. I know I definitely can't be 100% secluded as I will likely relapse. I still have a comfort zone of around 3 miles so hopefully this move will be challenging in a positive way.

An admin role in an arty environment would be a really enjoyable role!

Really appreciate the replies and ideas! I feel more hopeful.