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Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

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Original poster

Anyone else currently job hunting and getting nowhere ?

60 replies

MrsMorgan · 22/03/2010 16:44

There is just nothing out there, well nothing that is 16 hours or more anyway.

Everywhere seems to be only offering a few hours a week, with the possibility of more, but thats no good if you are claiming benefits.

I am only looking for minimum wage, low skilled stuff aswell so you'd think it would be easier.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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cordonbleugh · 27/03/2010 19:50

meglet - re childcare - if you work 16 hours a week as a single parent, tax credits will pay 80% childcare costs.

I know some nurseries are funny about sessions, ie you can't just pick and choose the hours they go in for, but some are flexible on this - I've said to DD's nursery that I'll hopefully be getting a job soon, and they've said that as long as there is a place free on those days, she can do whatever hours I need.

Or perhaps a childminder would be a better option for you? Sorry if I've got the wrong end of the stick from your all day at nursery = cancels out earnings comment! It's been a long day and I'm sure I've lost a few braincells lol

Meglet · 27/03/2010 20:17

cordonbleaugh you are quite right . I do get the maximum childcare tax credits, but I still have to take a 'hit' on the 20% I pay.

And it's entirely my fault my dc's go to an day nursery that I can't pick and choose sessions , it's 8-1 and 1-6. But the staff are great and it's on the doorstep so despite the inflexibility I am happier having them there as opposed to a childminder. So, yes, it does restrict what I can do work-wise.

Part of me thinks I should just look for a full time job as there are more of them out there, but the whole thing would come crashing down if the dc's were ill and I needed time off as there wouldn't be a chance to make the hours up.

cordonbleugh · 27/03/2010 21:03

ahh that's a pain about the nursery sessions! Still, in terms of childcare, location and staff are important factors, so like you say, better to keep them there than to go through the upheaval of finding a new provider just for the sake of more flexibility!

Such a dilemma isn't it? Lots more full time jobs available, but no room for movement in case of emergency etc, coupled with very few suitable part time jobs available!

I'm going to be so gutted if I don't get this support worker job - the pay and hours are perfect (£7-£8 per hour, weds afternoon, 9-5 thurs and fri) DD gets 12.5 hours free already, so the extra hours on top of that, with CTC is only a small dent in childcare costs.

The other job I've applied for is term time only, similar hours/day structure and pay, which is even more desirable obviously, but I doubt I'll even get an interview for that one as people with more relevant skills than me will jump at the chance of a term time only job!

Whereabouts in the country are you?

Meglet · 27/03/2010 21:08

term time only . You never know, you have the same chance as everyone else, good luck with both of them!

I'm down in Hampshire. I should probably not worry about working more until both the dc's are at school though, they're only 3 & 1. Muddling through is probably the best plan for now .

cordonbleugh · 27/03/2010 21:24

yep! a term time only job that's not in a school! I haven't got as much experience as they're really asking for, and I think they'd prefer drivers (although it doesn't actually stipulate that in job description) But I thought 'what the hell' might as well apply anyway!

I would probably be looking more seriously at full time jobs if I wasn't also studying with OU. I'm planning to study full time from next year aswell so while plenty of people work full time and do OU, I don't want to take on the extra stress. DD is getting to such a lovely age, and she'll be starting school in september to time will be precious!

Well, carry on as you are, but perhaps keep looking for the elusive part time jobs closer to you, something is bound to come up eventually! Oh, if you do, keep posting on here, it's great to hear of others progress

secretskillrelationships · 27/03/2010 21:43

It is possible so don't give up. I got a job last year 25 hours a week doing admin. I'm overqualified in lots of ways but haven't actually done any true admin roles (other than doing all my own admin as part of previous jobs) or worked in this particular industry. They had lots of people apply for the job, many of whom were much better qualified than me.

But I 'interviewed well' and got the job. They know my situation and have been fantastically flexible. Luckily everyone else works full time by choice - the other admin staff have grown-up children and the bosses have younger ones who are still waking at night (so more sympathetic than they might otherwise be).

I hadn't actually worked for anyone else for over a decade but listed all the other things I'd been doing which really worked in my favour. It really showed how well I could adapt to lots of different things and environments. It also covered what could otherwise have looked like a massive gap in my CV.

Someone else I know signed up with an agency asking for part-time work, term time only expecting it to take a long time to find work only to be offered something within weeks. Often it's luck and being in the right place at the right time.

cordonbleugh · 27/03/2010 21:48

Thanks for your positive story I think the only thing any of us can do is just keep looking! I've been scouring for jobs for months now, and the 3 that I've applied for are the only ones that have been suitable!

I haven't had an interview for years, but I've been doing research on the company, Looking back over my coursework from last year to pick out any relevant, impressive sounding terms and phrases!

Any interview tips? I'l going to be nervous as hell, but I'll make myself look presentable obviously, try not to show nerves, appear confident and lots of eye contact.

secretskillrelationships · 27/03/2010 22:22

Someone once gave me some really good advice when I was struggling to find work (think 40 job applications in 6 weeks!). If you're not getting interviews then you need to look at your CV/application. If you are getting interviews it's about how you fit the company. I took this to mean that it's not personal. If you don't get the job you probably wouldn't be happy in the organisation!

From that point onwards, I reckoned that if I got interviewed I could do the job (no-one would waste their time interviewing someone who they didn't believe was up to the job unless they were absolutely desperate!) and the interview was as much for me to find out whether this was an organisation I could work for. I think that means that I appear confident without trying too hard to please and also am interested in both the company and the people.

You've got an interview so you know you can do the job. Now you've got to work out whether you want this particular job with this particular company. Good luck!

Original poster

MrsMorgan · 29/03/2010 10:36

Well, start of a new week and already I have been turned down for an interview

The initial application form was one of those psychometric test and apparently my results led them to not take my application any further.

Also haven't heard from the nhs cleaning one I applied for, so I think that's a no too.

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cordonbleugh · 29/03/2010 18:07

sorry to hear that MrsMorgan - what was the job? never heard of those tests before, what sort of questions were they?

I know the NHS website says allow up to 6 weeks to hear back, so there may still be hope?

Although I haven't heard from the NHS job I applied for but the closing date was only last weds.

Not heard from the other admin job either so it's all resting on the one I've got an interview for! Got letter of confirmation today and it says "Following your application, we are delighted to invite you to interview" That's a good sign right?!

No new suitable jobs today though, apart from one which I would LOVE to do, but it's 30 hours a week, and I really don't think I could stretch to that much

Original poster

MrsMorgan · 04/04/2010 12:59

It was sales assistant in a jewellery store.

Have just finnished an application for a clinical suport worker, but it is full time. I don't want fulltime but i'd do it to get my foot in the door.

The blurb said that they would prefer someone with an nvq2 but would be willing to train, so I thought, why not.

Fingers crossed for us both x

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cordonbleugh · 30/04/2010 23:54

Bumping this cos I'd like to know how you're all getting on

And also to let you know that................................................................................................ .................I got the job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, that's right, somebody actually wants to employ me!! I start as a support worker for vulnerable adults on May 17th .

So now going through all the hassle of closing down income support claim and changing housing/council tax/ tax credits claims etc but it will all be worth it!

WheresMyWaistGone · 03/05/2010 21:46

Well done!!!
x

cordonbleugh · 03/05/2010 21:50

thanks wheresmywaistgone really excited now, it's all worked out so well! Can't wait to be in a job where I look forward to going to work!

Meglet · 03/05/2010 21:50

yay! Well done cb

We'll all get there in the end I'm sure.

cordonbleugh · 03/05/2010 21:51

thanks meglet - if I can do it, anyone can! months of searching finally paid off.

Original poster

MrsMorgan · 07/05/2010 16:44

Have been looking for this thread for ages.

Well done CB, huge congrats

OP posts:

cordonbleugh · 08/05/2010 13:59

thanks MrsMorgan Not seen you about for a while, how are you?

Original poster

MrsMorgan · 08/05/2010 15:03

I am ok thank's. Having zero luck on the job front though tbh.

I had an interview on Tues but it was no good as it was advertised as permanant and when I got there they said it was actually only for 8 weeks.

Nothing else in the pipeline either at the moment. I am finding it really frustrating and soul destroying lately.

OP posts:

cordonbleugh · 08/05/2010 17:59

"it was advertised as permanant and when I got there they said it was actually only for 8 weeks." that's really really bad of them. Unprofessional IMO!

The job market is shite at the moment - I'm really bloody lucky to have got this job cos there's been nothing else suitable/worth applying for since!

I know what you mean about it being frustrating and soul destroying, looking on direct gov etc everyday and coming up with nothing, especially when there are people moaning about their jobs, or they are completely incompetent and you just know you'd be able to do it so much better.

salizchap · 08/05/2010 22:22

You guys are making me really nervous. I live about 170 miles away from my BF, and we want to move in together. The trouble is he's a mature student and a non european citizen. Which means he cannot move down here, and he can't work more than 20 hrs/wk either. I am on a homeswapper website to get a council exchange to his city. In the event of finding a match, should I give up my 30hr/wk Teaching Assistant job to move? What will happen to me and DS if I can't get a job where he is?

Original poster

MrsMorgan · 10/05/2010 13:38

Salizchap - I wouldn't give up your job no. Can you not apply for things in the new area and then move once you get something else ?

I have just been and handed in an application form for a job in a shop. They have nothing at the moment, but I know the assistant manager and she said they might have something soon.

Also asked in a few other shops but they looked at me like I was asking for gold lol.

OP posts:

salizchap · 10/05/2010 21:49

The problem is that I live in social housing, and have put my place up for an exchange. Been waiting for a bite for months now, and no luck. If/when I do get someone interested I will have to move quick-sharp or risk losing the offer.

Why oh why does it have to be so complicated? It's like love just isn't enough. Fed up of being on my own. I just want to settle down and be happy. :-(

Meglet · 13/05/2010 22:26

bumping as I now have a new job in my home town with no 50 mile commute anymore! It's taken 8 months of looking but something came up in the end, just as well really as I am worn out with all the extra travel and time.

I can walk to work soon! And my route will take me through the town centre so I can pick bits up on the way .

Original poster

MrsMorgan · 19/05/2010 11:43

That's brilliant news Meglet

I am still getting nowhere fast lol. Have applied for two clinical support worker jobs, but won't know if I have an interview for at least 3 weeks.

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