To think I am now unemployable

[Spicyy]

I’m turning 26 this year and I just don’t know what to do with my life. I have a beautiful 4 year old daughter and she will be starting school in September. I’m a single parent and Ive not worked since my daughter was born. I’m desperate to start work again and have something to do with my time but I’ve applied for so many jobs and haven’t heard anything back. I’ve had my CV edited with professional help also. I’d love to do a diploma/access course but I don’t know if I’m too old for university and tbh my confidence is just so low, I don’t even know where to start. I doubt myself a lot and it all just feels so daunting. I was wondering if anybody has any tips. Thank you

Do look into apprenticeships too. Businesses can get good financial incentives for offering them and they are available for a range of specialties now - our local council offers quite a few from admin and HR to occupational therapy and social work. But there are usually specialist charities and organisations in your area who can advise. (Near me it’s called the ‘local county’ training consortium). The National Careers Service might also be helpful.

I had a break from work after children and i found it is a lot about taking that first step to get something new on your cv whether that’s study/training and/or volunteer or part time work. Partly as it helps build confidence and partly as it helps employers To see something current/recent.

Professional help with your CV is good but does it match the jobs you are actually applying for?

What are they? If it's a mix sit down and make a few columns of different skillets

If it's admin then your previous employment must have involved diary management, document control, decent IT skills, working to deadlines etc.

If it's supermarket work take what is transferrable. You can work alone or as part of a team, you can manage rotas, you have some understanding of stock management, you are friendly, efficient, understand that you are representing the company, have previously used a til (even if it was student jobs).

For care work you understand time management, have been a carer to your daughter developing patience and understanding, understand the importance of good record keeping, are adaptable, looking to build experience for potential retraining in the care sector etc.

Just sticking the same CV in for everything will get you no where. Really think about the experience that you have and spell out how it applies. When I've a massive pile of applications I want to be told how you suit the role, not to have to dig around a CV looking for it.

You also want to fit the level you are applying at. If you previously managed an office but now want to be an admin assistant, write the most relevant bits and ignore the higher level stuff.

I don't think it is too late to retrain but I suspect even part time work would help your confidence so keep going.

You are 25!
Just a baby!
You have 40+ years to retrain and build an amazing career before your pension kicks in!
Have a look at Openlearn and Futurelearn for free courses on hundreds of topics.. you might find something that sparks your imagination and takes you off in a direction you never considered.
Some courses are tasters for part/full time courses, and there is funding available too.
In any case a couple of them under your belt will get you back into the swing of study again.
Go for it!
Good Luck!

You're not too old!! I'm just about to start an apprenticeship... and I'm 45. You have oodles of time ahead of you, go for it!

Hi OP,

Although I didn't have a kid, I was very much like you at 26 - huge lack of confidence. I was good at writing etc so got loads of interviews but didn't get a job for absolutely ages because that lack of confidence just got in the way of me selling myself face-to-face.

Anyway - I just wanted to say I've found a really good way into the job market after a while is through volunteering. It's a bit rubbish that this is the case when you really need some income, but if you view it differently it can be really brilliant. I volunteered in a museum - I was extremely shy/nervous at the start, and it just really helped build my confidence that yes I could do it. I got a job there within a couple of months - after about 30 interviews elsewhere! Even if that doesn't happen, it gives you some scenarios you can draw on when you get your interviews, and just helps show you can be reliable and all those basic things, and you have a reference you can use etc. The really good thing about volunteering is you can usually make it work around you - like, do just 4 hours a week, or whatever, and they'll be understanding if you need to leave when you do get a job. Even if the hospital is full there'll be other places that will lap you up.

In terms of careers - TA is a great job for a mum but please do be aware they are ridiculously competitive for this reason. It's easier to get a teaching job than a TA one! But there are lots of fantastic jobs out there, you don't need to find the dream one at the start, just getting back on the ladder is the first step then you move on from there :)

Good luck!

How exciting for you! You have 40 odd years left until retirement, it most certainly is not too late! I agree with a pp that nursing won't be ideal for you as the hours are very difficult to manage as a single parent - unless you have good family support? The pay is also very poor in relation to other graduate jobs.

There is plenty of time though, even if you waited until dd was a bit older for nursing, it still wouldn't be too late!

Not unemployable at all. I was in the same situation as you. I have zero qualifications, not even many GCSEs. Managed to get work for a small local family business who wanted to give someone a chance. The pay was crap but it was a foot in the door and I got UC top ups (as you would). I work full time now for a big company and there is lots of opportunity for growth.

@Namechangerererererer has some great ideas, in case you don’t have much support with your children OP. Nursing has much in common with several professions that won’t require shift work, and may even be better paid.

If you can find an information session for mature students ahead of beginning an Access course that would be a great start

Coming from someone who was a single parent (my kiddo is an adult now, training to be a chef) I recommend you dote as much time as you can on your child, you won't get that time back. I really miss the couch covered with sticky little handprints, story time before bed (even though sometimes kiddo was a little monster to get to sleep!)

I know this doesn't resolve your career issue, but for now it will mostly be about finding work just to get paid, don't make a big deal out of it - you can catch up with a career in later life. You're never too old to start a career, if anything you can use the time you have now to work out precisely what you want to do - and even then, don't take it too seriously because sometimes things change and don't always work out the way you want them to. If you're still adamant you want a career, there are places where you can use this time to study, a friend of mine trained to be a nurse while raising her son by herself. You can apply for grants and bursaries or student loans in the meantime.

I know from experience finding work as a single parent is an absolute nightmare and sometimes even when you do find the work, finding the childcare can be a no, constantly on the waiting list for child minders and you can't pay them without a job - it's a vicious cycle. I do know from experience that employers are biased about single parents, they are seen as a liability and its a huge difficulty proving a discrimination. It's not you - it's them. If you're not feeling confident about interviews and cvs, talk to an advisor at your local job centre or google/youtube for help.

I do know some parents of kids at my kiddo's school started businesses which meant they could work at their own pace around their kids, maybe looking into a startup grant could be an option? (Be careful if you are in rented accomodation, some tenancy agreements may evict you for running a business from home.)