Difficulty getting motivated to look for a job. Please help.

[Charlize43]

I'm hoping people can give me advice on how to get started but I seem to have lost all motivation to find another job.

Back in April 2020 I was made redundant after working for a company in the same job (which I loved, obviously) for almost twenty years. I was being made redundant in Feb just before the pandemic started. There was a change in management and I was effectively bullied out of my job, with a lot of stress which resulted in me being treated for depression & anxiety from Feb to May 2020. I did CBT, which helped me. Then we had the two lockdowns and were told to stay home & save lives so I busied myself with the garden and re-decorating the flat, etc. I had a pretty good redundancy payment which enabled me to pay off my mortgage and if I live frugally could probably survive for about 3 years without working on my savings. I am a 53 year old female. My previous job was in mid level Admin in a HR in a large hospitality / events management company. I live with my partner who has always been self employed and works from home. We have an understanding about how we share the expenses and while she makes some money, she doesn't make enough to support both of us - and not that I'd want to be financially supported.

I feel anxious about not working (I always have worked) so I'm not totally enjoying my time off and don't want the gap out of work to be too long. I haven't actively been looking for work and have only made a half arsed stab at writing up my CV. I think not having any pressing money worries hasn't helped, as well as the general precautions to be with the pandemic. I'm not a particularly ambitious or a career minded person or very interested in material things, as I already have too much stuff. Previously, I shopped a lot as an outlet for my unhappiness at work so I am quite relieved to have broken this habit. Less has been more, for me. I took up running during this last year which has made me lose weight, get fit and has helped my mental health enormously, which has good and bad days at present.

I'm finding it hard to finish the CV and start actively looking for work. I don't know what I want, to continue in the same industry or to try and do something different? I tend to say to myself 'I start the CV and looking for a job tomorrow' but then will busy myself with cleaning the house or doing loads of laundry, sorting cupboards, etc or go for a run instead.

I'd be grateful for any advice or pointers or suggestions. Is anyone else going through this or has experienced something similar? Should I seek professional help?

Please help me.

I think you should put a skeleton CV together. For most jobs you'll need to tailor your CV anyway.
Set yourself some weekly targets:
Start off with the easy bits that won't change like your personal details and your qualifications, make sure you can locate your certificates to verify.
Next your employment history, get the dates and titles set but only write up the bare bones of the roles as you'll need to tailor for each application.
Next think about additional training your could do to update your skills eg Microsoft Office GDPR, diversity etc
Finally write an exhaustive list of your qualities, what you enjoy doing at work and why eg approachable, adaptable, conscientious, open minded. You'll need these to write your personal statement (again this will need to be tailored).

Finally, consider doing some temping, NHS & Universities often have their own inhouse temporary employment service or use an agency. This will keep you on your toes and can lead to longer term contracts or permanent roles. Also a good way to try other sectors.

Good luck!

I’d start by browsing job ads. I’m never very motivated to simply look for new jobs, I only get in gear when I see a job I want to apply for - then I can do the application in record time!

I would also suggest that you start viewing your money situation as rather more pressing than you are at present - presumably you’ll want your savings for retirement, which isn’t so far away, and your partner doesn’t earn enough to tide you over when your three years of living frugally is up. Three years can go v quickly.

I think you need to decide what you really want from your life - and then the decision on jobs will be easier.
So, yes you want a job. Do you want full or part time. Do you want to spend more time at home, living, rather than a full on, fast paced job. Do you want to do expensive things like travelling? How do you see your retirement (will affect what pension and saving you need)? Do want the same type of job, or are you wanting something completely different? Eg, a friend has gone from director to TA.
If you can answer those, then a cv and job hunt will more focused and perhaps easier to pursue.

These are all great suggestions. Thank you for helping me.