To just give up?

[BunsHun]

This is my first post so please be nice guys. For context, I'm 25.

I'm a single Mom to DD who is 3 and ever since she was born ALL I have been trying to do is find work. I've been on interview after interview, mostly retail and other entry level jobs and I've had absolutely no luck, just constant rejection or flat out ghosting.

So, last year I sat down with myself and really thought about what career I wanted to pursue and began finding any opportunity I could to up skill.
Sept 2023 I did a course in Digital Marketing where I found I enjoyed creating content (posters, ads, logos etc) so decided I was going to try and pursue Graphic Design. I finished the DM course and began scouring the internet for any and all courses within the Design field. I finally found a Skills Bootcamp in Digital Design, with a guaranteed interview at the end. It sounded awesome so I promptly applied. I got accepted on to the Skills Bootcamp and was over the moon, but it was not what I expected at all. I was told by the tutors before starting that it would be intense but it took a huge toll on me (10am-4pm 4 days a week of zoom meetings and lots and lots of tasks, in prep for the alleged 'guaranteed interview') and I worked my bloody ass off to finish it, the bags under my eyes could have carried my shopping. DD was only attending nursery 2 days a week so trying to balance the pressure of the Bootcamp with DD was BORDERLINE IMPOSSIBLE.

It turns out the interview that I literally lost sleep over wasn't real at all, it was just a presentation to the CEO of a company who knew full well he wasn't going to hire anybody (the experience itself was crushing as it was written all over his face). This was a HUGE knock to my confidence and I felt scammed, however I continued to pursue apprenticeship opportunities in marketing and in other fields similar to design (content creation etc). Thus far I think I've been on about 5-6 interviews for apprenticeships and every single one of them has been unsuccessful. I still haven't given up though. I'm now completing a part time degree in Graphic Design with the OU, which I can honestly say I have no idea why I'm doing it. All passion has gone. I've had a huge realisation that no matter how much effort I have put in to trying to up skill and go for something more niche, it is ridiculously competitive and it's highly unlikely I will ever get a job in the field. The majority of people who did the Skills Bootcamp with me were already graduates, or already had experience in design/marketing and STILL couldn't find work. One girl said she had been unemployed for 6 years despite having a brilliant portfolio and a wealth of experience.

I have this sinking feeling now that just won't go away, it's like constant depression and unworthiness. Every time I go to complete some work for my degree, I can't bring myself to do it. I just feel crushed, as though the last year has meant absolutely nothing and I've sacrificed so much for absolutely nothing. My last interview was 2 weeks ago and I've only just received feedback saying I was unsuccessful even though I knew it anyway. Just to add, I am still applying for 'normal' jobs on the side (cleaning, retail etc) to no avail. I'm starting to think my life is never going to change and I'm going to be a single mom claiming benefits for the rest of it. My gap in employment is now massive and I know that no employer will look twice at me.

So what do I do? Do i listen to my body and just stop trying? Or do I continue on this pointless path knowing I am inevitably going to fail and waste even more of my time and energy?
I know people might respond with things like 'you're young, you've got your whole life ahead of you' but I am TIRED. I've battled with my mental health most of my life and really feel like I've spent so long building myself up to this level of confidence, but I can feel myself slipping back into hating myself and my life.

PS. Sorry for the extra long post, I think I've added way too much unnecessary detail.

Sign up with some recruitment agencies, they will be able to sell you to potential employers. It sounds like you are driven!

Sorry to hear that all of your efforts have got you nowhere OP. Hats off to you for trying your best, it must be so disheartening.

Graphic design is a notoriously competitive field, but plenty of people do make a career out of it given enough talent and the breaks, so if your heart is set on it it may be worth pursuing.

I'm a big proponent of volunteering and I work recruiting and training volunteers in my particular field (not relevant to your skills/interests). Volunteering can provide valuable experience, add to your skill set and can lead to paid employment. I had a quick Google for volunteer digital marketing roles and I found a few in my area, so perhaps you could look in your area? I was a volunteer for my employer before they offered me a paid role, so it can happen.

Otherwise, rather than look for employment in retail/cleaning etc, you could consider self employment - particularly cleaning as good cleaners are in demand. Other areas (as you're artistic) nail technician qualification, aesthetic therapist. Even something like dog walking/sitting - I know a couple of very busy dog walkers.

Good luck with whatever direction you take. You'll find your path eventually.

Also, yes to PP's suggestion of temp agency. Temping is also a good way into permanent employment.

Just leave OP. It’s not quitting, at this stage it’s self preservation and the smarter choice.

Sign up to local recruitment agencies for temp admin work, apply to civil service and local government. These types of jobs will allow you to make money while still having a life and some self worth. Even if you get a temp contract with civil service i’d still take it.

You can always find your love for graphic design stuff again in future, do some side jobs online through Fiverrr etc at your own pace.

I know a couple of freelance graphic designers who earn a good living and are in demand. Have you tried to market yourself that way?

You can't give up. You have 40 years of earning your living ahead of you.

It's not uncommon for graduates to apply for a hundred plus jobs these days before getting work.

Keep applying. Try to find volunteer roles so that you can develop a portfolio.

Are you in touch with your local employability team? They will know of opportunities to put you forward for and help you prep. What feedback are you getting from the interviews? Assuming you are asking for feedback, you need this to build on. Getting a job is more about interview skills than actual job related skills!

Don't give up the degree now, you've worked so hard, and being a graduate opens more doors so makes the search easier. It's so hard but you're doing amazing, keep your chin up and keep on going.

And in answer to your question - no, never give up!

Temping is really helpful so you can start building up a CV of work experience. Sorry OP it sounds really tough x

Create a social media marketing campaign to sell yourself as a potential apprentice/entry level roles. Make it funny and eye catching, big up your skills but also let employers know why you deserve a chance. Mention that you don’t have any connections to give you an in, that you just want a chance to show what you can do.

Tag design agencies you admire, publications like It’s Nice That, and people in the industry who’ve talked about giving working mothers a chance. Who knows if it will work but at least you’ll have something extra for your portfolio at the end?

Op the hugest hugest hugs ever- am searching for job for only a month now and it’s soul destroying- coming up on 30 applications- some that match EXACTLY jobs I used to do and saying they need an urgent start and on the recruitment sites I’m on they literally just tick not successful- no interview no feedback.

on the other side of it I know so many people that have done digital marketing courses, unfortunately they’ve been sold to people as the way to get a very solid job/ wfh/ possible IT career. Honestly keep on trucking- it always always only takes one, and as said above you sound so tenacious. Everything crossed so much for you xxxxxxxxx

I think it's really important you stop saying it's pointless. You're trying hard and it sounds incredibly difficult but you're a single mum and that is really hard. I felt the same way when I was a single mum. When my ds started school I volunteered in his school and then got a job as a Teaching Assistant. Then I did a CELTA qualification and now I am teaching English. It gets easier as the children grow up. But it's important to do something for yourself as it shows your child you're a good role model, also it's so difficult to survive just on benefits.

Honestly, I would change to something else - DH is a graphic designer and he says if he could go back in time he wouldn't pursue it as a career. The money is shit and it's really stressful having to be "creative on a deadline", if you even get to do anything creative and don't just end up a glorified artworker.

The work you have put in won’t go away. Maybe finish out the term, take some time off and get some rest. It sounds like you’re burned out, and need to focus on healing.
it won’t help if you go into interviews with this mindset, so taking time to rest and restore is only going to help you in the long run.

and if it helps at all- I had over a decade gap in my resume (due to a bad injury), and finally got a job last year that feels so right for me, and such a good fit. Please do not give up on yourself, and don’t give up on the hope that life can and WILL become better for you.

and I know how it feels- without specifics, that promise sounds like just magical, nice words that don’t mean a thing - but if this could happen for me, it can happen for anyone - I was trained in a dead end career, injured in a car accident and had to start over with a decade gap.

that you can claim benefits gives you some time to breathe and restore your inner resilience, and give yourself time to get positive about what you have to offer an employer. And you want the RIGHT employer, one who chooses you, because trust me, I had a few false starts before the job I landed now- and having an employer who isn’t the right fit is an awful experience.

take time to think about all you learned in graphic design, and what transfers to a more highly employable field.
maybe consider cyber security - it’s a booming field at the moment!

best of luck. Rest up and heal, and hug that sweet girl of yours - it’s all going to be ok.

Hi guys, I just want to say a huge thank you to all of you for taking the time to give me such brilliant, supportive and thoughtful replies. I've been resting at home for the past few days and it's done me the world of good. I have decided to stop going to interviews for the foreseeable and have unsubscribed from the recruitment agencies I was signed up to, as they were adding more and more pressure on. I'm going to stick to my degree at least for the rest of the unit and see where I want to go from there, while still applying for part time jobs. A lot of you have made me realise that the only pressure on me has been created by me and I need to slow down for my own sanity and release some control.
I wish you all the best and again thank you<3

Purely graphic design roles are hard to find and tend to be a bit obsolete.

I would suggest looking at roles like digital marketing assistant, social media officer, communications officers/assistant.

Those are the types of role where you will use your design skills but where you will also have the opportunities to use your digital marketing and copywriting skills.

I would also suggest doing some free courses on designing content for websites. You don't need to learn coding, just to be able to upload images and copy using content management systems such as WordPress or similar to create and update basic web pages.

I am a Senior Marketing Manager and I am expected to know how to do anything from designing leaflets/posters/publications to social media and website management as well as copywriting and communications (dealing with the media, writing press releases...). I also have work on video material (filming/editing) and take photographs.

Basically the more skills you have to offer, especially digital, the easier it will be.

Have you considered trying for a digital marketing assistant, social media assistant or content writer/executive type role? These are entry level digital marketing roles that will get your foot in the door and some are remote or hybrid working if that's more convenient. Putting new products online or designing social media posts often involves editing imagery to some degree, so graphic design is a useful skill to have.

Might be worth joining a temp agency. That's how I landed my first role in the field. I didn't have any qualifications related to digital marketing and pretty much fell into it. Appreciate the job market might be a bit different now, but it's worth a go.

It took me 11 interviews to get my first professional job, but since then I have gotten every job I went for because I'm good at interviews now!