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Original poster

Perfect job - but I can't get there!

163 replies

Thesisquibble · 19/04/2023 08:34

I have been made redundant a few months ago and have struggled finding a new role. I live in an area where jobs are usually seasonal so anything officey is quite unusual.

The perfect job, perfect pay and perfect hours has been advertised.

BUT I can't get there. There's no public transport. And I cannot drive for a while due to blacking out. I repeat: I cannot drive due to blacking out (and currently in the midst of tests / diagnosis). I had tomsay that twice for all the posters who say "learn to drive"... I can drive already, thanks!

Should I bother with the interview and hope that I can lift share? I live in a City and the role is in a town - 25 mins away by car. As far as I can tell they don't offer WFH. (WFH is unusual here)

DH can potentially give me a lift but he works FT and it'll be difficult to squeeze it all in to his workday.

DVLA won't reassess my driving license for a while.

I just feel sad about being made redundant and sad thst I'm stuck. And sad that my perfect role seems unattainable.

Wwyd?

OP posts:
Oncetheystartschool · 19/04/2023 09:39
  1. Apply for the job, and get an interview
  2. Going to the interview will give you a chance to test out local taxis and/or how easy getting there is e.g. is the traffic terrible in rush hour
  3. If you are offered the job then you can work out transport. Access to Work can help in the short term.
  4. Don't allow yourself to be discriminated against due to a (hopefully) short term medical condition. You have just as much right as every other candidate to apply for the job.

Doing nothing or being put off by short term transport issues will guarantee you don't get the job. Good luck with your application!

Lcb123 · 19/04/2023 09:39

I'd still apply for it, you never know. But do be upfront about the transport situation. Perhaps they'd consider a day or two at home

Time4achangeagain · 19/04/2023 09:42

You could lift share if you pay for taxi for one leg and your sharee drives the other leg. Eg you do taxis Monday abd wednesday and they drive Thursday and Friday

Sweepies · 19/04/2023 09:46

I was in a similar situation to you OP. I was stuck in a horrible job with a terrible hours, incompetent manager, but it was just a few minutes away from my house. I went for an interview at a company 30 minutes drive away, they knew I couldn't drive and this even got brought up in my interview but I said that's for me to sort out and I'd find a way. I got the job which is so much better, the work environment, the pay and something I love doing. I used taxis to get there for the first few days and as I got to know people in the office I found at least half a dozen people that lived near my village and would practically drive past my house to get to the office. Thankfully now a lovely lady gives me a lift every day, (and a few different people have offered) I want to stress that I always make sure to meet her at a nearby garage that she passes so she isn't going out her way, I also offer her petrol money but she flatly refuses every time, so every week I make sure to get her something (wine she likes, chocolate, snacks, any little treat she might have mentioned in passing, though she always says I don't have to I'd feel terrible if I didn't give her something) and this is a win win situation for both of us. She gets something and the money I am saving on taxis or even bus/train fare is massive. I was scared at first it wouldn't work out but if you're kind to people and put out positivity then things usually work out okay. After I got the job I also posted in my local community group on facebook if anyone worked in that area and we're able to give me a lift and I'd cover their fuel and a few different people that went to that town everyday reached out to offer help with many saying they wouldn't ask for fuel money despite me insisting, so that could also be an option for you OP.

Aposterhasnoname · 19/04/2023 09:48

could DH drop you somewhere that does have public transport to where you’re going, but easier for him to reach maybe?

MrsCarson · 19/04/2023 09:49

I'd go for it and try to see if there's any way you can get there just for two days a week.
If there are others living near you going that way to work I'd offer to pay for the ride share If it's more than one person it would take pressure of a single person doing all the driving.

Catspyjamas17 · 19/04/2023 09:51

I'd go for the job, take taxis/DP giving lifts for the short term if you get it and find out if there is anyone prepared to lift share. You can always quit if the transport doesn't work out.

Original poster
Thesisquibble · 19/04/2023 09:51

I applied this morning and already have an invitation to interview! 🥳

OP posts:
Unicorntastic · 19/04/2023 09:52

Thesisquibble · 19/04/2023 08:54

Ah this sucks. I could cry. We did have a great bus service pre pandemic but they've all gone to shit. There's a disused train line between both places too. Frustrating.

The job is only 2 days a week! I just felt like I could go through all the hoo hah and fuss for 2 days a week but I guess you're right.

Job market here is awful. Thankfully I'm not too worried about money - it was just that comfort of having my career continue, meeting new people, learning, working (I love working!)

Definitely apply for it, 2 days is not such a big ask for your DH to drop you off or to get a taxi, especially as you want this job more for the need to work than the income. Then hopefully the Access to work can arrange a taxi for the future.
good luck!

Catspyjamas17 · 19/04/2023 09:53

Thesisquibble · 19/04/2023 09:51

I applied this morning and already have an invitation to interview! 🥳

Yay! 👏

manontroppo · 19/04/2023 09:54

Try Access to Work - they are set up for things like this, I think, as per MPs

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 19/04/2023 09:54

@Thesisquibble

I think it's worth doing one of two things - applying with a cover letter explaining how the job fulfils all of your qualities and transferable skills, but that you may struggle with access and can they offer any support? Or - give the recruiting person a call and ask.

I wouldn't just not apply, as you say it's two days a week and would otherwise suit you perfectly.

Good luck!

Viviennemary · 19/04/2023 09:54

What about a taxi. You might be able to do a deal with a local firm. And your DH can give lifts sometimes.

Original poster
Thesisquibble · 19/04/2023 09:54

I know it sounds boasty but I thought I'd get an interview 😳 I think I'm the only one in the area with the skills (which are gained via CPD so quite specific!)

I have been on Google Maps all morning looking for various ways and routes and DH can drop me half way there. There's ONE bus that can finish the journey.

Let's hope it's a reliable one 😂

Not comfortable with cycling on a busy road :(

OP posts:
ChiefWiggumsBoy · 19/04/2023 09:55

Oh damn - xpost while I was typing!

Definitely explore as well DH moving stuff around to support.

Good luck with the interview!

NineToFiveish · 19/04/2023 09:56

Excellent work, OP!

Trickedbyadoughnut · 19/04/2023 09:57

Well, that sounds like it could work! You might be able to do a mix of DH dropping you halfway and bus, access to work funding and possibly a ride share once your in. Fingers crossed for you!

dcadmamagain · 19/04/2023 09:57

Go for interview and then once got the job the logistics can be sorted! Good luck

Original poster
Thesisquibble · 19/04/2023 09:58

And someone just messaged me on LinkedIn with another job oppprtunity!

More hours and one that I can get to all independently in a jiffy!

I may not get either but this is nice.......Good things are finally happening 😂

OP posts:
Prettypaisleyslippers · 19/04/2023 09:59

I would consider how close you can get by public transport and the taxi cost tbh

BeginningToLookALotLike · 19/04/2023 10:00

Thesisquibble · 19/04/2023 09:58

And someone just messaged me on LinkedIn with another job oppprtunity!

More hours and one that I can get to all independently in a jiffy!

I may not get either but this is nice.......Good things are finally happening 😂

That's great OP. Good luck 🤞

SylvanianFrenemies · 19/04/2023 10:00

Look into whether Access to Work would support taxis.

Good luck!

SBR1 · 19/04/2023 10:05

Well done. You'd get nowhere in life waiting for everything to be perfect. Of course there's always a barrier & at least with yours you could be hopeful an employer would offer some flexibility & understanding.
Get the job offer then worry about the practical arrangements.
There are car share sites you can sign up to. Basically you post your regular intended journey & time of travel. You might be lucky & someone wants to drive if you fund the fuel. Where there's a will!

Mycatisaqueen · 19/04/2023 10:06

Thesisquibble · 19/04/2023 09:58

And someone just messaged me on LinkedIn with another job oppprtunity!

More hours and one that I can get to all independently in a jiffy!

I may not get either but this is nice.......Good things are finally happening 😂

Well done OP, and good luck!

QueenOfThorns · 19/04/2023 10:09

Good luck, OP, I hope things work out for you!