Young, pregnant and unemployed.

[Sofa101]

Really don’t know what to do

I was made redundant in December (just before Christmas ) but hadn’t worked there long enough for any redundancy benefits. I had also found out that I was pregnant just a couple weeks before, I’m now 8 weeks.

I’m really struggling to find a job! I’m trained in beauty but I’ve been doing admin work For the last 8months. I mostly did nails when I did beauty and I can’t find any jobs that will take me on just to do nails they all want me to do massage and aroma therapy etc which I can’t do, 1. because of being pregnant and 2. because I have a back problem (which is why I left beauty in the first place)

I’ve been looking for any job tbh, as I just need an income! I’ve applied to recruitment agencies but because I’m pregnant there’s not much there offering me. So I’m really wondering if anyone has had the same problem and if they were able to find a job?

Also I’m very concerned about this whole situation. Me and my partner were excited when we found out and surprised as it wasn’t planned! But since losing my job my partner isn’t sure what he wants now. I understand why he’s questioning things because we live in his parents house which can’t be permanent and I don’t have an income. I have a small deposit to be able to get a flat or something but it’s not really enough and with losing my job I can’t get a mortgage and if I get another job I’d need to wait till it’s not a probationary contract so it’s just a very long process. I’m just hoping for the best and that things will work out. Again wondering if anyone’s been in similar situations and how things worked out for them?

Really hoping for a positivity boost! I’ve been employed since i was 17 so I have no idea what to do with myself and I’m going nuts. Very bored and far to much time on my hands to over think everything!

We’ve got our first scan on Monday next week, so hopefully things will be more clear after that

Could you set up as a mobile nails beautician? This would be something that you would be able to work around childcare with later down the line as well.

I’m sorry to hear you’re having a difficult time. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I’m probably missing the point here, but why are you telling employers that you’re pregnant? You won’t show for months so could easily get some money during this time. It may not last as long as you would like as you would have to tell them eventually, but even one months money is better than none!

Why are you telling the employment agencies you are 8 weeks pregnant? Unless you were looking for a job where the pregnancy could pose a health and safety risk it is not relevant at this stage.

Hey,

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

At 8 weeks pregnant you are under no obligation to tell any employer or agency that you are pregnant. Even though it shouldn't, being so honest upfront could hinder your chances of being taken on.

I would suggest signing up with a different agency for permanent work but maybe let them know that you would consider temporary jobs in the meantime until something comes along?

I did numerous temp jobs when I was younger, worked in some really good, interesting places and the postings were anything from 3 months to 'temp to perm'.

Definitely worth looking into if you need money now. You obviously won't be entitled to statutory maternity pay but will get maternity allowance.

Oh no, I haven’t told any employers that I’m pregnant, I just told the recruitment agency because they kept sending me jobs that I can’t do.

I told the agency as they kept sending me jobs I couldn’t do, I was hoping for a job in beauty but I can’t do things like aromatherapy as it involves essential oils which you can only use a couple of during pregnancy.

@CoffeeAndCarbs
Yeah I only told the agency because they kept sending me jobs I couldn’t do because of being pregnant, I’ve been asking for temporary employment as I thought that would probably be the best option

Sorry to hear your in this position

Have you ever thought about setting up like an Instagram page with pictures of your nail work and be a mobile nail technician?

I know it's shite and not ideal but bar work is easy to get into - depending on how you're finding your pregnancy and if you feel well enough and if you can cope with this type of work with a back problem.

It may be worth still applying for admin jobs but you don't need to mention your pregnant as your still so early and I don't think you have to tell them this early anyway?

Maybe try a few local doctor surgeries to see if they are looking for reception staff? As in my experience when I worked in a nhs surgery a few years back they constantly were getting new people in.

Or you could join a admin agency? That might help?

Wishing you lots of luck xx

This could be a good opportunity to study. There is some financial support for parent students, you could always do that. In the long run it would be much better for your baby.

Congrats on the pregnancy btw :)

You can claim job seekers allowance or is it called universal credit now ?

@INeedNewShoes
I have considered that as I did that before alongside Woking in beauty being employed. This was something I’d like to do once I have a place as I’d set up a beauty room and do it from home rather than travelling to peoples homes as I found that’s what more people wanted. I never made enough money doing it mobile

@Haysgr
Thank you! I do have a beauty page but haven’t used is for a while! I found more people would prefer coming to a beauty room than having it set up in their home thats the only thing, so I never really made enough money. Once I eventually get a place I was hoping to set that up from there.
I have been considering bar work as there’s loads of jobs going for that where I live, just not sure how I’ll get on because of my back, when I did beauty I was signed off massage/standing treatment the Max I could do was 4 hours so it’s not ideal.
I’ve applied for quite a few doctors surgeries the only the I hear back is that they want people with more experience from working within doctors surgeries. It’s been a very frustrating job search!

@BonnyConnie
Thanks! Yeah I had thought about this, I considered going back to the beauty college I studied in to learn to teach it. But I don’t know anything about financial support for that?

@mummaaw
I’ve tried looking into this but I don’t really understand it and what I ended up seeing was that they take into consideration the whole household’s earnings which doesn’t help me as my partners parents house is over crowded, so taking everyone else’s wages into consideration I wouldn’t get much. Meaning I’d have to do that after moving out which has its own challenges

@Eggcellent29

OP. Just a thought- if you are going to be a temp in admin I wouldn’t at this stage in your pregnancy mention it to recruitment agencies unless you have severe morning sickness or a medical issue which means you need to.

You may have to do what I did between a corporate role and my current role and fill in as holiday cover. I came to my current role as a temp but it became clear they needed someone long term and I was made permanent 3 years ago after 5 months.

I’m not entirely sure how it works myself but it may be worth talking to the institution directly and they may be able to help?

Yeah I think I will. Thank you!

@OurChristmasMiracle
The reason I told the recruitment agency is because they kept sending me jobs I couldn’t do because of the pregnancy. And yeah that’s a good idea to fill in for holiday and stuff, I’ll look into that, thanks!