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Original poster

Job help - does this job exist?

17 replies

SwimmingSwimming · 30/09/2023 04:55

My brother is currently looking for a job. I'm trying to help but struggling to find anything suitable.

He's had several remote call centre jobs recently, but was made redundant as he was working through an agency and the contract he was employed for ended. He's worked for insurance companies before and hated it, felt like he was scamming people.

He has A levels but didn't go to uni.

He has asthma and is extremely anxious about covid, particularly long covid, and won't go anywhere so it needs to be a fully remote job with no expectation to go into an office at all. (No comments about how realistic fear of covid is or just having to go out regardless please, he absolutely won't!)

He has to earn over 20k a year to be able to maintain his wife's visa.

Training on the job to enable him to move upwards from minimum wage would be ideal, but I can't find anything other than apprenticeships and they don't pay enough.

Does anyone have any ideas please? Looking for jobs, but also training/qualifications he can realistically do that would enable better paid work without taking months/ years not earning because if there are earning gaps his wife loses her visa when it needs renewing!

OP posts:
GarlicGrace · 30/09/2023 05:14

Why are you looking for jobs for him? I've just paid a quick visit to Indeed and there are lots of full-time remote positions offering over £20k. I can't understand why he isn't finding listings & sending out applications.

Kidsandcat · 30/09/2023 05:15

Could he be a delivery driver. He wouldn't have much close contact with others

StamppotAndGravy · 30/09/2023 05:15

It sounds like he needs a job now, in which case call centres are a practical option.

In the slightly longer term, he might have to train himself a bit, in which case anything coding, data analytics, information security etc might be possible. These sort of courses are available on Coursera and Udemy at relatively low cost. He probably needs to show a bit of motivation and skill by doing it himself first, which will hopefully then get him a job that will have future personal development options

PixiePirate · 30/09/2023 05:20

Home-based admin roles for small charities are often fully remote. I suggest he takes a look on the Charity Jobs website.

happinessischocolate · 30/09/2023 08:45

Night watch security guard?

Dotcheck · 30/09/2023 08:49

accounting technician (aat) may be of interest.

Original poster
SwimmingSwimming · 30/09/2023 09:26

GarlicGrace · 30/09/2023 05:14

Why are you looking for jobs for him? I've just paid a quick visit to Indeed and there are lots of full-time remote positions offering over £20k. I can't understand why he isn't finding listings & sending out applications.

Because he's my brother and he asked for help and advice since I've been working longer than he has and he wants to progress from being stuck in low paying roles. He is looking for himself as well, but hasn't found anything yet.

Sites like indeed can be misleading. A lot of jobs are marked as remote, but actually require time in offices or on job sites (like the crane operator that's currently up) or want experience or training he doesn't have (like the virtual receptionist that wants 3+ years specific experience for 21k pay, or the management and accounting roles he isn't qualified for).

OP posts:
Original poster
SwimmingSwimming · 30/09/2023 09:28

Kidsandcat · 30/09/2023 05:15

Could he be a delivery driver. He wouldn't have much close contact with others

He doesn't drive, but I think visiting multiple homes a day would probably be a no go anyway! Thank you though :)

OP posts:
50lessfat · 30/09/2023 09:32

Do the mortgage broker course.

Original poster
SwimmingSwimming · 30/09/2023 09:35

StamppotAndGravy · 30/09/2023 05:15

It sounds like he needs a job now, in which case call centres are a practical option.

In the slightly longer term, he might have to train himself a bit, in which case anything coding, data analytics, information security etc might be possible. These sort of courses are available on Coursera and Udemy at relatively low cost. He probably needs to show a bit of motivation and skill by doing it himself first, which will hopefully then get him a job that will have future personal development options

Thank you, those sites look useful! He'd like to train but isn't sure what in, he's wanting to avoid spending time and money on a course that won't help him progress but doesn't know which would be the safest bets/ give him most options!
Does anyone know if there are certain levels of course that would be the minimum needed? Or skills that are in demand? I have limited experience in coding/analytics areas! Hopefully there'll be something in demand that interests him, jobs are always easier when you enjoy them!

OP posts:
Elmo230885 · 30/09/2023 09:37

Unfortunately I think he may just have to apply for various things and be very clear in the application stage he is looking for fully remote. As you've said, job sites like indeed can be very misleading. A friend of mine had the same issue recently. She knew she'd have to move a couple of times over 2-3 years and couldn't guarantee the location so looked at fully remote jobs. She applied for loads and found many advertised that way but after applying would stipulate a minimum number of office days or that she " must be available to travel to the office". A lot of time was wasted by both her and employers.

Elmo230885 · 30/09/2023 09:37

Sorry i realise my post didn't really answer your question!

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 30/09/2023 09:40

I'd have thought that something IT related would be his best bet in the longer term. I'm not techie enough to know what. Coding would seem to be an obvious choice for him to study. Something like web design would probably be quick and easy to learn.

Apparently more jobs are moving back to the office these days, at least on a hybrid basis. Is he getting help with his anxiety? In the longer term, getting proper treatment is likely to give him far more options.

chocolateisavegetable · 30/09/2023 21:42

I do an admin job for the council - fully WFH

cantstaymadatyou · 01/10/2023 15:54

Quite a few companies offer fully remote customer service jobs. For example, Enterprise currently have this role: https://careers.enterprise.co.uk/job/egham/credit-hire-claims-recovery-representative-homeworking-work-from-home/24824/54923450160

If you search on Reed, you can choose job type and tick work from home to see remote jobs. Just be careful of scams.

Bromptotoo · 01/10/2023 17:04

Citizens Advice have roles that can be remote though training/induction might be a problem.

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