Worried about finding a new job

[Cherryblossom200]

Hi everyone,

I've recently been made redundant, I'm lucky as I got a really good pay out so can afford to be off for almost 8 months. But obviously I'd prefer to find something sooner rather than later.

The problem is I'm almost 49 and I'm a full time single parent to a 9 year old. I had a good job which paid well and I could do it remotely.

I don't particularly enjoy the job, but the flexibility it offered made it worth the stress.

My concern is I'm convinced I won't find anything which pays the same if not better with flexibility. Ideally I'd love to do a job I actually enjoy!

I don't know why I'm so worried, perhaps it's because I have to earn a good salary to pay my mortgage and have a half decent lifestyle. It feels like a lot of pressure! Im almost avoiding looking for a job because I'm worried I'll be proved right! There is nothing out there. Especially in the run up to Xmas.

Just breathe. And take it one day at a time. Something will work out.

I'm trying to take each day as it comes, but petrified at the same time!

I got made redundant in June. 47. Have been in my new role for a couple of weeks. You've got loads of time, update your linked in, get in touch with recruiters. Good luck!

Thanks 🙏

I'm 4 months into a new job after 16 months of post-redundancy unemployment. It pays less than my previous role, but I always knew I was unlikely to get that salary without going into the City, which I wasn't keen on. I was 50 when made redundant, now 52.

I didn't look hard all the time, and having some time to think about what I wanted to do is a great privilege. What I did know from the start is know what bills I couldn't avoid, where I could make cutbacks, and how long I could last before I'd start yo get panicky about it. I had about 3 applications where I came a close second (thanks, but that won't pay the bills, and finally started working in June, which was round about when I'd have had to cancel some direct debits if I hadn't got a job.

What jobs are available to you will depend on your field - I'm in IT and there are lots of remote and hybrid roles, as well as fully office-based. It also depends where you are - I'm within commuting distance of London, which I'm not keen on, but I could have widened my search by doing so. The job I have means a 1hr commute,but only once a week. You need to know what is and isn't possible for you (especially what you can't do,) but also what's nice to have but you can compromise on.

But you don't have to decide right this minute. Taking some down time can be a good thing.

Agree taking it day by day. I was made redundant in July and it’s become more important to me to find a job with equal flexibility as I have two young ones, even if I have to compromise a bit on pay. There are companies that value flexibility you just have to find them. I’ve had ups and downs over the last few months, the job market is, erm, difficult at the moment (I’m 40). Just keep your chin up and keep going, you will find something that works.

My last job was in IT, hence why I could work remotely.

I'm just panicking about the salary and the flexibility to wfh. Those are the most important things I need! I have an outplacement company working on my CV which I got as part of my redundancy. Hopefully that will help too.

Mintero, oh gwad how bad is the job market 😬 Is it really quiet?

I don’t work in IT so take it all with a pinch of salt. It’s just feels on and off so much, I have had interviews it’s just very competitive. Lady at job centre says redundancies happening a lot across the board - on that point, don’t be afraid the apply for new style job seekers allowance. You should be able to get it for up to 6 month if you are eligible and little money coming in always helps.

It may depend on your area of IT, but it doesn't seem that bad to me, currently. I'm a Unix sys admin, based round the M3/M4 corridor - if you're a Ruby programmer in Sunderland or something, the picture could be very different, I have no idea.

I work in project management 😬

What kind of salary are you looking for and are you North or South?

South, mid 40's salary

I'm trying to find a new job and getting so much anxiety around it. It's so hard in your late 40s and also not sure what I cna do /what's the best option/who will employ me... 😬

I totally get how you're feeling. I have had continuous employment, but I'm just really worried about finding something so close to 50 and for the criteria I need which is a good salary (mid 40's) and remote working 🤪

I have a constant fear I won't find anything even though i have 8 months to find a job!

im similar boat, good company and wage, but i foolishly thought we were set until retirement or close as possible, but new management had different ideas, so at the moment redundancy will help for abit then its universial credit and just hope i get something similar

Just a warning about the outplacement company, I also used one. They rewrote my CV. I applied for 8 jobs and didn't get a single interview. I went back to my old CV and got offered the next two jobs I applied for.

Your company may be amazing, I hope they are, but if your revised CV doesn't feel right then trust your instincts.

Dilly that's amazing, well done on getting a job so quickly!

I think it'll take months 🤪 I don't know why I think this. I have always found employment really quickly, but I didn't have so many boxes I need to tick in the past.

I had a job offer today at £14k more than my current role. It can happen.

Oh wow EBear! Congratulations! I just feel I'm circling lower and lower in what I'll accept and then not getting those jobs for being overqualified or differently experienced when they're expecting people to work up.

To a temp job whilst you look for what you really want.

It'll be fine.The job market is ok. I had a horrible fake / sham redundancy Christmas Eve, had 3 offers by Jan and have been in a nice job for 8 months now.

Oh wow well done!

I've been looking on and off now for nearly a year and not managed to escape where I am. I'm going to lower even more what I'd jump down to (had hoped to jump up!)

Congratulations! That's great news!

Where you made redundant?

Tbh I haven't really even applied properly for anything. I'm just at the start of my journey. Need to get my CV finished and my linked in updated and then I can apply.

I've started applying for jobs today 😛 it's way too early to hear back from employers. But I can't help but feel pessimistic, I need flexibility and my last job was paid well. I'm concerned I won't find the same time! Really worried.