Have had a couple of glasses of wine so am feeling a little brave...

[Cadix]

I have just been made redundant. I am now a single mum on benefits and am spending every waking hour trying to find a new job but it is a little difficult when all your experience is redundant as per the credit crunch.

From posts I can see that it is not the norm to bash single mums on benefits but there is a lot of it about isn't there?

The current econimic climate is dire. Most families will feel it in some way whether it is an extreme impact or a minor one so why is there not more support out there?
We are all in the same boat.
Life is a bitch at the moment and you really have to be earning a HELL of a lot not to feel a difference so why all the back biting?

I cannot believe that anyone really is happy on benefits - it is killing me being out of work. I want to work. I need to work.

Stop the bitching posts cos it is not helping the majority who are not happy where they are.

And besides....no fucker has responded to my post...here

I haven't got a clue how to answer your other post - sorry!

yabu

blah blah blah if you don't like it haste ye to netmums etc

why is your experience redundant?

hello Cadix, how's the wine? Mine's nice. I haven't seen the bitchy posts, there are always a few around on any topic. Ignore them.

Redundancy is horrible. I think DH works in some sort of supply chain related thing [I don't understand emoticon] Is it usually manufacturing?

Have replied to your link

Sorry you are having a tough time - have you registered for JSA/benfits/with an employment agency ??

What is your general line of work ie banking/engineering/beauty ? MNers have a vast range of employment, and some may be able to help you to rejig your CV/help you to change direction.

no idea on other post sorry-but didnt want to ignore

thanks for considering hf128912 no probs.

Ronaldinhio my experience is redundant because it is in the credit industry and please trust me when I say I have explored every avenue available to me to get a job in the credit industry. There is just no jobs on offer there at the moment. I suspect that will be the situation for the next 18 months at least. I know people.

Is netmums more sympathetic to those is a difficult situation? I am easy as long as I find humans in a similar situation to mine.

in the credit industry?

do you have tranferable skills?
often it is easy to overlook some of the skills that you have developed whilst working in an industry that is strongly niched

have you considered that option in your exhaustive search?

To PeaMcLean, Boysarelikedawgs and cheese sarnie thank you very much for some feeling responses. Was begining to think netmums was just a bitch-hole.

Ronaldhino please have a look at my post www.mumsnet.com/Talk/further_education/641178-CIPS-anyone

I am looking at other avenues and have made 4 call this week to my local college re a course which will help me. Am still waiting a call back.

Had an interview today but it requires an initial 2 week away in surrey for training plus further overnights of around 3 per month which I don't realistically think I can do as a single mum. Scuppered. Can you help me out? lol

I really appreciate the useful responses I have received so far.

And yes, the exhaustive search has been just that. Trust me!

I do find it quite offensive when certain persons imply that one has not followed up every avenue available.
I can assure you Ronaldhino, and common sense will also tell you that there are no jobs on offer in the industry which is currently rendering the highest ratio of redundancies.

Currently I said. Let's hope the next industry hit is not yours.

Cadix, firstly it is an aibu thread therefore you need to post a question

I'm sorry about last night I was pissed off by your "everyone is awful" post just because people hadn't flocked to your fairly exacting post.
That's how it seemed to me after a few vinos anyway
Sorry if it was unfair.

Most of the site were having a laugh last night and you harped back to sp bashing which wasn't going on then and isn't typical of mn as you would see if you could look at the positives which abound. But rather you started a post about something negative.
If you don't like a thread or the sentiments, move on, don't harp on about it on a number of other threads.
This is an internet forum and will encompass many views not all of them revolving around a particular set of circumstances ie yours
V dull.

Anyway good luck with your job search and if I can give you some advice? A positive outlook will always help more than a moany mush

Just as a heads up, the situation you are in isn't a competition.
Your redundancy is just as bad as any other.
At least you were made redundant many companies have gone into admin....

BTW Recruitment is decimated too so I know how you feel

I hope you are felling a little more positive today and are better able to enjoy the many wonders of mn!!

Good luck with your course or job search

Thanks for the tips Ronaldinhio, as I said, I had a little wine and really shouldn't have done it when under stress hence the moany post.

But I was trying to pose a question...why so much backbiting. Why are some people so quick to judge and criticise? Does it make them feel better about their own situation?

I read the posts in my coffee break and for the last few days every time I clicked on active threads there was another insult. It has just been so very negative about single mothers on benefits it has begun to make me feel low which isn't like me.

But you are right, I should just ignore the nasty minded threads and I will do from now on.

Sorry about the poor posting etiquette too.

Have you see the women like us website? Might be useful.

www.womenlikeus.org.uk/home.aspx

at cadix

Cadix, out of interest why do you feel that procurement and supply chain are safer in a recession?

I work in this field and would be interested in your thoughts.

Sorry havn't got a clue about this field but you sound like a fighter to me - keep your chin up and ignore the clicky mentality on this site there are lots of nice MNetters too. Go for it and let us know how you get on.

typical sahm getting drunk on my, the taxpayer, money.

(Tongue firmly in cheek)

To the OP. In this day in age, a lot of people are made redundant, It does not mean they are wothless. I am confident that you probably are much stronger than you think and something will come your way if you carry on looking every hour of the day for it. I would advise against turning up too drunk at a job interview ...

I'm sorry tha you are in the situation where you are not working but want and are trying to get a job. Best of luck with the job hunting.

Is there something you can do just to keep your brain in gear while you are looking for something more permanent and rewarding? I am sure lots of the big stores are looking for extra Christmas help and someone with your skill set could prob make supervisor pretty fast I would imagine. Lots of them do hours that work around kiddles too.

All joking aside is there a Kleneze or similar franchise close by to make some extra pennies whilst you are looking? I am seriously considering a few hours myself to make up some money for the blimin heating bill!

Thanks for the link junkcollector, it looks pretty good.

Cloudia, I am working on the theory that as it is basically controlling and minimising expenditure it is a safe ish bet.
I have touched on it in various roles and at Uni which I enjoyed.

You will all be glad to know that was the last few glasses from my last bottle of wine until I get my new job.

at drinking before job interview! lol

Good idea Bluebumedfly, I had toyed with the idea of applying to the PO as a christmas postie...

Any way Thanks all

Cadix I hope you get something sorted out soon.

Supply chain and procurement staff are unfortunately themselves seen as an expenditure that can be minimised. Also the projects that they work on are dwindling so there is less to buy/manage. Companies that employed three buyers two years ago are managing on one now, for example.

Regarding the course, although interesting, it wouldn't necessarily lead the way to a decent role in procurement - experience is valued over the sort of qualification you mention IME. I only say this because there are some jobs which depend on having specific industry qualifications but entry into procurement/supply chain isn't one of them, so your time would probably be spent better actually working at a lower level in P/SCM than studying.

The health service is more immune from commercial ups and downfalls (apparently), have you thought about going into that in some way? Perhaps from a finance point of view? (you mentioned your background is in this field).

Best wishes in whichever new career path you decide to follow.

Cloudia, thanks. I have been sending off ridiculous quantities of applications to posts advertised on the nhs careers website, adapting my cv for each, had a knock back today due to lack of relevant experience but hey ho.

I think that looking for a job is along the same lines as ds asking for sweeties full of colours and Es - he just keeps asking, I think he knows that generally I will say "No" but every so often just to shut him (and as a treat) up I will give in!

I just need that little give - I am good at interviews (at least I think I am, I don't get nervous, just try to sell myself. It either works or it doesn't)

The course I have been looking at is a 4 week course and will allow me to indicate some CIPS training which I think is value for money. I take on board your opinion re the course Cloudia but think as long as I am out of work it can't hurt to train? I also have a little experience I can elaborate on. Yes, I will need to drop to lower status positions but that is ok with me and once I get a foot in the door I will certainly prove my worth.

I gave a very poor impression of myself last night, I was drunk, low and defensive. I let myself down but am so much better than that. Or I try to be and am certainly grateful for all constructive criticism/comment.

If you've credit experience you could make an absolute fortune in collections, 1st and 2nd line is ok and you get decent bonus' and a good hourly rate.