Literally gone from £5k p/m to now delivering packages

[trying2bpositive]

I was made redundant back in October. I worked in marketing and I've been in the field for almost 15 years now. Ask me why I cannot get a job to save my life!! I've gone for countless interviews and just haven't been able to secure a role. At the moment I'm driving around delivering fucking packages for a courier company. I'm covering a really nice area and it's just so depressing. I'm crying in my car at the moment because I can't believe how my life has just changed in the space of a few months.

They say that you can't rely on one income stream, and this is why. I used to have a business on the side, but I closed that down. That's my biggest regret.

I have a daughter and I'm so embarrassed about what I'm doing to make money right now, it's not even covering the bills . I don't have a clue how I'm going to get through this next month, let alone the next few.

I'm trying to stay so positive I keep applying for roles but I'm not getting anywhere. I understand why people decide to end things themselves because the way that I'm feeling right now, if I didn't have my son, I would be seriously contemplating my life right now.

Take it from me, don't rely on one income stream. Make sure you have savings and don't think this couldn't happen to you because I'm the last person I thought this would happen to :-(

This was meant to be in chat not AIBU. Pls be easy on me :-(

What a horrible situation, my heart goes out to you OP. Have you tried working with a recruitment company? They may have access to more jobs that aren’t being listed on indeed etc.

Have you spoken to a recruitment consultant?

Oh, that must be soul destroying. I hope you manage to find the employment you want soon

Really sorry OP; this sounds tough... Remember that NO situation stays the same for ever and you WILL get through this....Is it worth thinking about restarting your business? And in the mean time you may qualify for Universal Credits. There is no shame in it, you've had some bad luck and you will get through this. Keep going .

Chin up, you're out there working still. Be proud of that. You'll get better paid work eventually, you're clearly a driven individual if you can run your own business! Why not try and get something off the ground while you're working as a courier?

See this period of time as a sabbatical and use it to rest and reset.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this, what a horrible shock for you. Be kind to yourself - you are doing everything you can. You’re applying for jobs, you’re trying and you’re currently employed to make some money. You sound like a great mum as you’re putting providing for yourself and your child first. Please see your GP if you continue to feel down, they may be able to help.
I don’t know much about marketing or recruitment but somebody else will be along soon

I've tried countless recruitment agencies. I've had so many potential roles but they've fallen through or I wasn't successful.

I'm going to get back onto it from tomorrow.

I've applied for benefits and was meant to get a payment on 4th but for whatever reason it's not come through. I'll follow up tomorrow. Im praying something comes through. I am normally the most positive person but these last few months have beaten me down and I'm questioning my own skills atm.

Also Oct-Dec is no time at all. Dec is probably a write off because of Xmas. It feels like forever but you’ve been out of work a short time really

Don’t ever feel Embarrassed about what you are doing to make money. It deserves so much more respect to go out and take any job than to sit around moping and expecting someone else to bail you out/giving up. You are taking responsibility and trying to get through the situation. Have you spoken to a recruiter? What feedback are you getting from the interviews?

Op, someone will eventually say yes. Trust me

Big hugs to you. Have you looked at contract/ temp roles ? recruitment agent may be able to help. Also dont feel embarrassed about your current work, you are providing for your family - there is zero shame in that.

Have you also checked you are claiming everything you are entitled to?

You sound amazing

Go and watch 'The Pursuit of Happiness', it's actually quite inspiring and based on a true story. He falls so low he's sleeping in a locked toilet with his son. But he manages to survive and then thrive.

I would take this as the universe telling you to go in a different direction. Marketing is over subscribed and unavailable, time to look in a different direction.

Have you considered restarting your business or building up a new side hustle.

What about a sales job whilst you're doing that?

Multiple streams mean more security.

If you were on 5k a month for years, did you not save any of it?

Can you start up your business again?

Don't be so hard on yourself. You're in survival mode and working so hard to make it through. You've hardly sat on your backside and hoping it's gonna turn out ok (which it will).

You should be proud of yourself.

Hats off to you for getting out there and earning money. That would always impress me, no need to be embarrassed you should feel proud.

How about trying some freelance work alongside your deliveries?

Or what was your old business,. could you set it back up?

Agreed Oct-Dec is no time. Many more jobs go live in January as people don't want to advertise over Christmas.

Are you applying for remote positions as well as local ones?

Are you on LinkedIn and have you set your profile to show you're job hunting?

Have you got to interview stage, and if so did you ask for feedback as to why you didn't get the role?

Finally, please consider getting some counselling. You sound like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders and your resilience is low at the moment. It took me several months to get a new job after I had my first DC.

Wishing you all the best.

@trying2bpositive

starting with the easy stuff, report your first post & ask them to please move this to chat.

Ok so I am trying to build my business back on the side and I am trying to get clients to do freelance marketing work. It's just so slow.

From tomorrow I'll be walking into local businesses in my area to pitch my services.

I feel like marketing has become so undervalued due to AI and anyone thinking they can do it that it's made it so much more harder to get clients or a role.

OP please don’t be embarrassed, I personally know two other people who are currently doing parcel deliveries to make ends meet after previously having successful careers. I hugely admire them having the work ethic and sensibility to just do whatever they need to in order to pay the bills and support their families.

Marketing has shifted to social media managers, which is a gen Z game really. Can you transfer to a similar but different industry? Use your transferable skills and redirect?

I've been applying on linked in and via recruiters & indeed etc. I'm going to post on linked in from tomorrow. I did initially and got a lot of messages but nothing came from them in the end.

Could you become a consultant? I know marketing is very competitive but to keep you going whilst you are job hunting could you create a LinkedIn profile tailored to consulting and reach out to previous clients or approach new similar clients to offer to work with them?