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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:
Itsanotherhreatday · 19/04/2023 19:44

You could advertise on FB for a lift - people do it round here - and is encouraged!

For two days a week someone will offer for petrol money.

Ossoduro2 · 19/04/2023 19:49

Totally apply for the job and if you get it approach them with the issue around lack of transport and your driving issue and see if they’ll make an exception and accommodate working from home most of the time. it’s always worth a try. I applied for a full time job and when they offered it I asked to do part time and very slightly different hours and they said yes straight away - I’ve been there 10 years now. It’s always worth a try, no job will ever look perfect at the outset. Best of luck.

Noodles1234 · 19/04/2023 19:54

greyhairnomore · 19/04/2023 19:39

The job is two days a week.

Show quote history

If two days a week, can you OH drive you until you get your license back?
Well done btw, sounds good!

Notamum12345577 · 19/04/2023 19:55

Thesisquibble · 19/04/2023 08:57

A very very small, backwards and mainly rural city. HTH @Cleoforever - you seem to be obsessed with my thread. Don't you have anything else to do with your day? 😊

St Davids?

GoodChat · 19/04/2023 19:57

@Notamum12345577 she's not going to tell you where she lives. Some posters here are so invested they'll probably track her down and make her prove she can't drive Grin

Notamum12345577 · 19/04/2023 20:00

GoodChat · 19/04/2023 19:57

@Notamum12345577 she's not going to tell you where she lives. Some posters here are so invested they'll probably track her down and make her prove she can't drive Grin

I was trying to think of the smallest, ruralist (probably not a word!) city going, and there isn’t any smaller than St David’s in Wales 🤣

Clementineorsatsuma · 19/04/2023 20:15

Cleoforever · 19/04/2023 09:14

If the op has not had a diagnosis and in test stage only

it is very unlikely that access to work will cover

Wrong.
They consider each case individually
Do you like spouting rubbish just to pass the time?

SusiePevensie · 19/04/2023 20:17

Could the job be done from.home? If so eyou could ring them and ask.

InSpainTheRain · 19/04/2023 20:18

I think I'd go for it and investigate the following:

When could you get your DL back? The would be key.
If the time is fairly short til you get your license back could DH give you a lift?
Could you look on car share.lift share sites or facebook to see if anyone goes that way where you could contribute to fuel costs?
Could you WFH to cut travel?
If you could mostly WFH from home then could you get a taxi one way and DH give you a lift the other way?
What would a taxi cost? Would this be slightly cheaper if you had a regular booking?

You've nothing to lose by investigating if you've been made redundant. Good luck!!

BluebellBlueballs · 19/04/2023 20:30

I would try for the job then see if you can access to work to pay for the taxis.

I wouldn't tell them before offer stage that you need access to work support though

Scottsy200 · 19/04/2023 23:29

carriedout · 19/04/2023 08:45

BUT I can't get there. There's no public transport. And this is why the Tory government's approach to cut bus services and rail services rather than improve them is so affecting our overall growth etc. - 70% of job seekers are reliant on public transport (because most are young, or not able to buy a car due to money, or have issues as the OP outlines).

We need better public transport.

As for you @Thesisquibble I am sorry to hear this. I would stop looking at jobs in places that are inaccessible as it will make you despondent! Good luck finding something else. Agree with others that the interview practice might be worthwhile but DO NOT cite the travel as a reason to not take the job as you might want to work there in future and it will mark you out as a flake. Say you 'have considered carefully but think it is not right for you at this time' or similar.

Thought it might end up being the Tories fault at some point that the OP can’t get to a potential job

carriedout · 19/04/2023 23:34

Scottsy200 · 19/04/2023 23:29

Thought it might end up being the Tories fault at some point that the OP can’t get to a potential job

Show quote history

Given they're in government, they do bear governmental responsibility, yes.

Bus services are being reduced all the time.

MagiMagic · 20/04/2023 00:11

All sounds promising OP. Good luck.

SuzeBr · 20/04/2023 08:22

You do need to know how you will get there. If you’ve been having blackouts for more than 12 months this could be classed as a disability and Access to Work might be able to help find taxis.
https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work

Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition

Get help at work, including an Access to Work grant, if you have a disability or health condition - eligibility, how to apply.

https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work

SuzeBr · 20/04/2023 08:24

Cleoforever · 19/04/2023 08:56

2 days a week
not too worried about money
perfect job

I would suck up cost of a taxi

I’d go for it then!

FrillyGoatFluff · 20/04/2023 08:59

Hi OP. I have just got my license back after six months out because of epilepsy (first fit in seven years due to medication drop due to pregnancy 🙄)

I had a job interview yesterday which would require travel. In my first interview (which was before I had my license back) I was upfront with the hr lady and said I was expecting it back on X date but was at the mercy of the DVLA. She was fine with it, and said let's crack on and we'll cross that bridge when we come to it because I was a strong candidate.

Yesterdays interview went well. I chose to pull out of the process afterwards due to some things I was uncomfortable with, but the driving issue really wasn't a problem - there's always a work around if you're the best person for the job.

Check out Section 88 too - you may have a year ban, but with epilepsy you can reapply 6 weeks early and the MINUTE that your time is up, as long as the forms have hit the DVLAs system, you can drive under section 88, even if they haven't got their arse in gear and got your licence back to you. Which is really helpful cos they are backlogged to hell!

stichguru · 20/04/2023 11:57

Speak to Access to Work and see whether they would fund transport costs if you got the job. I am also not driving due to disability and 100% think that making sure I can get to a job is my responsibility. Applying for a job you really can't get to is irresponsible, However there is nothing irresponsible about exploring various options.

Laura4363 · 20/04/2023 12:25

OP it sounds like you live in the same town I do, with rubbish buses and an unused railway line! If so then I sympathise, my sister lives here too and is trying to find a new job, but she doesn’t drive either and is having the same problem. I can’t offer much in the way of advice, but if the job is in Tiptree I could probably give you a lift! And for those not believing the lack of public transport, I used to live in East London, there was an Asda 5 minutes’ drive away, but it was an hour away by bus simply because of how the routes worked!

Puckthemagicdragon · 20/04/2023 12:39

Go to the interview and see how it goes. If offered the role request homeworking on temporary basis as reasonable adjustment til you get your license back

Thoughtful2355 · 20/04/2023 12:41

can you get Taxis? i would walk half way and get a taxi rest of the way or take a bus to the closest spot and then taxi rest of the way

ohdamnitjanet · 20/04/2023 15:24

Please apply, if you are offered the position it might not be long before you get your license back. And if it’s short term maybe your husband can take you, even part of the way as previously suggested. I’m presently driving my son to work as there is no transport, simply because I want to help him work. Yes it’s a pain but not forever. And if you don’t get the job you will have tried and won’t be forever annoyed you passed it by.

Ladybird2023 · 20/04/2023 15:36

Definitely apply! And don’t mention the transport difficulties until you get the job.

If necessary could DH leave you there before he starts and pick you up after he finishes? You could hang out in a cafe/library or just stay at work?

After starting you might find there’s someone else travelling that would give you a lift for less money than a taxi.

ShouldIgoornot123 · 20/04/2023 18:54

You should go for it and if it is the perfect job then they will be understanding. If they can’t accomodate you then at least you know they wouldn’t be understanding of life in general

Oblomov23 · 20/04/2023 20:22

Years ago, I used access to work re my diabetes for a month. Fabulous.

breakingintopieces · 20/04/2023 20:35

I know it's your perfect job... but are you their perfect candidate? They might not consider WFH normally, but if you're the best person, they might reassess.

In your shoes, I would think very carefully about taking a job that required you to drive. Hopefully, this is just temporary, and you'll be back on the road soon. But you have to be prepared for the possibility that you might not.

Fingers crossed the other job pans out, or another opportunity comes up that is easier for you to get (whilst ticking all your other boxes too).

Best of luck, OP. :)