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Original poster

To want a job?

106 replies

Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 01:52

I hope this is okay to post. I've been a Mumsnet lurker for weeks and only just made an account to follow a couple of threads.

I'm 35, childless and physically disabled since birth.

I graduated university with a law degree.

I have never had a job. Until 4 years ago I had various regular volunteer jobs both for charity and in industry. Then, I became very unwell and unable to continue anything.

Fast forward 4 years. I have recovered and adjusted to a new normal.

DH I have looked at our finances and figured out that we can finally afford for me to look for paid work. So if I lose my ESA because I earn to much and then lose my job, he can fully support our lifestyle.

At 19, government decided I was too sick to work and I got zero support finding employment.

On Monday I had an appointment with a government careers advisor and it was a shambles. DH and I both got the impression that she didn't know how to help.

Am I being unreasonable to want a job? It's all I've ever wanted. I don't even know where to start or how to pitch myself. I was told I'd struggle because of the cv gap and my age.

I don't want much. Just something part time and WFH. I don't care if it's minimum wage. But after Monday, being told I get no more support I'm feeling rather dejected.

DH wants nothing more than to help, but he's at a loss. He walked into the first job after uni and they bent over backwards to meet his disability needs.

I know I should be grateful I have benefits and I am.

But I want to work.

Thank you for letting me vent.

OP posts:
CapitanSandy · 05/10/2023 13:14

Charity jobs is a great place to start if you wanted to consider the charity sector either admin, or helplines. There’s options for fully remote and part time too.

https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs?keywords=Helpline&workplace=remote

Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 13:15

CapitanSandy · 05/10/2023 13:14

Charity jobs is a great place to start if you wanted to consider the charity sector either admin, or helplines. There’s options for fully remote and part time too.

https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs?keywords=Helpline&workplace=remote

Edited

Thank you

OP posts:
CapitanSandy · 05/10/2023 13:16

@Spencer0220 I’m in a very similar position to you and this is how I found my first job a few years ago after studying and volunteering. Good luck!

worriedatwork123 · 05/10/2023 13:18

could you start with a volunteer post- loads of admin type roles voluntary from home and part time. Get experience and a reference and then look for a paid role

seriousquestioncoming · 05/10/2023 13:20

Paralegal part time WFH? I'm a lawyer and don't see why that isn't possible. I work from hone as much as possible three/four days a week. There are businesses specialising in document reviews etc which can be a way in. You have a law degree. Bigger firms can be quite enlightened about diversity and inclusion.

Diablocircus · 05/10/2023 13:21

CharityJob.co.uk would be a great place to start. Many roles in charity are WFH so they don’t have the expense of an office.

You can filter for remote.

If not, try The Work From Home Hub on Facebook.

Most applications now request a covering letter so this would be a great place to explain your situation.

Russooooo · 05/10/2023 13:27

This thread demonstrates the best of Mumsnet.

OP: I’ve got this problem…
posters: try this
OP: grateful replies
Posters: become even more helpful

I hope it helps you OP. it’s warmed my heart if nothing else Flowers

Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 13:37

worriedatwork123 · 05/10/2023 13:18

could you start with a volunteer post- loads of admin type roles voluntary from home and part time. Get experience and a reference and then look for a paid role

The only volunteering I'm finding is in person? Or something wanting a highly skilled mentor. What am I missing?

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 13:39

seriousquestioncoming · 05/10/2023 13:20

Paralegal part time WFH? I'm a lawyer and don't see why that isn't possible. I work from hone as much as possible three/four days a week. There are businesses specialising in document reviews etc which can be a way in. You have a law degree. Bigger firms can be quite enlightened about diversity and inclusion.

Thank you. Do I need extra qualifications to do that?

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 13:40

Diablocircus · 05/10/2023 13:21

CharityJob.co.uk would be a great place to start. Many roles in charity are WFH so they don’t have the expense of an office.

You can filter for remote.

If not, try The Work From Home Hub on Facebook.

Most applications now request a covering letter so this would be a great place to explain your situation.

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 13:40

Russooooo · 05/10/2023 13:27

This thread demonstrates the best of Mumsnet.

OP: I’ve got this problem…
posters: try this
OP: grateful replies
Posters: become even more helpful

I hope it helps you OP. it’s warmed my heart if nothing else Flowers

Thank you

OP posts:
MrsJellybee · 05/10/2023 14:20

Just another angle…

Have you thought about working online for somewhere like Cambly? You can teach EAL to people from all around the world. Adults, children, either or both. It doesn’t pay well ($10-$12 per hour). The positives are that you can work from home to your own schedule as little or as much as you want. For Cambly, you just need to be a native English speaker with a laptop and headset. Lessons are pre planned and most adults just want to chat. If you pitch yourself as a law expert, you might find a lot of professional adults interested in taking lessons with you who wish to work in international law, and need to improve their English, specifically their law lexicon. And if it really takes off, you can go independent, tutor for yourself, and charge a lot more.

If you want to work for a better EAL company such as Preply, you already have a degree. You can easily do the 120 hour Tefl qualification online (it doesn’t take 120 hours), and Preply will consider you. There is also Engoo and Fluentbe (might need a teaching qualification for the last one though). You won’t make enough to live on without a second wage earner, but it is something to think about if you like speaking to people, want to work from home and can work to a flexible schedule.

AllyCart · 05/10/2023 14:26

@Spencer0220

You were not a CF 😉for asking what AO and EO mean - I was wondering, too.

Some great suggestions for you on this thread. I wish you good luck finding something suitable!

Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 14:53

GettingStuffed · 05/10/2023 13:46

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 14:55

MrsJellybee · 05/10/2023 14:20

Just another angle…

Have you thought about working online for somewhere like Cambly? You can teach EAL to people from all around the world. Adults, children, either or both. It doesn’t pay well ($10-$12 per hour). The positives are that you can work from home to your own schedule as little or as much as you want. For Cambly, you just need to be a native English speaker with a laptop and headset. Lessons are pre planned and most adults just want to chat. If you pitch yourself as a law expert, you might find a lot of professional adults interested in taking lessons with you who wish to work in international law, and need to improve their English, specifically their law lexicon. And if it really takes off, you can go independent, tutor for yourself, and charge a lot more.

If you want to work for a better EAL company such as Preply, you already have a degree. You can easily do the 120 hour Tefl qualification online (it doesn’t take 120 hours), and Preply will consider you. There is also Engoo and Fluentbe (might need a teaching qualification for the last one though). You won’t make enough to live on without a second wage earner, but it is something to think about if you like speaking to people, want to work from home and can work to a flexible schedule.

Ooh thank you. Even as a side project I'd like that.

EAL? English additional language?

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 14:57

AllyCart · 05/10/2023 14:26

@Spencer0220

You were not a CF 😉for asking what AO and EO mean - I was wondering, too.

Some great suggestions for you on this thread. I wish you good luck finding something suitable!

Edited

Thank you!

OP posts:
BunnySneezes · 05/10/2023 15:12

I receive ESA and do permitted work - just checking you know about this as you can work for 16hrs/earn up to a certain amount without having to surrender your ESA?

I've been taking in academic proofreading which allows me to set my own rates and hours of pay. Gives me the control I need to work around my symptoms. I've also toyed with doing an online TEFL/CELTA qualification and tutoring online.

Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 18:29

averythinline · 05/10/2023 15:08

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 18:31

BunnySneezes · 05/10/2023 15:12

I receive ESA and do permitted work - just checking you know about this as you can work for 16hrs/earn up to a certain amount without having to surrender your ESA?

I've been taking in academic proofreading which allows me to set my own rates and hours of pay. Gives me the control I need to work around my symptoms. I've also toyed with doing an online TEFL/CELTA qualification and tutoring online.

Yep I understand the rules. Thank you Smile

OP posts:
lljkk · 05/10/2023 20:50

I wonder if you could tutor online, OP, in law or English.
I imagine you could do some types of financial admin, if you're reasonably numerate, paralegal type work.

Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 21:23

lljkk · 05/10/2023 20:50

I wonder if you could tutor online, OP, in law or English.
I imagine you could do some types of financial admin, if you're reasonably numerate, paralegal type work.

Thank you

OP posts:
waffleyversatile1 · 05/10/2023 21:30

Hi op. Not sure if it's been already suggested but also look at jobs with your local authority. I think they would snap you up!!! A good lace to start it customer services as you learn so much about council services and often these roles are now wfh although expect to be in a office initially for training. As others have said voluntary work with citizens advice would be great experience. There are some great ideas on here. I really do wish you all the best xx

Original poster
Spencer0220 · 05/10/2023 22:38

waffleyversatile1 · 05/10/2023 21:30

Hi op. Not sure if it's been already suggested but also look at jobs with your local authority. I think they would snap you up!!! A good lace to start it customer services as you learn so much about council services and often these roles are now wfh although expect to be in a office initially for training. As others have said voluntary work with citizens advice would be great experience. There are some great ideas on here. I really do wish you all the best xx

Thank you.

OP posts: