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.

The only thing you can guarantee is if you don't apply for any job, you definitely won't find one with equal or better flexibility. So you have to go through it. Good luck!

I've applied for one that I think will have little flexibility.. but it will be online from home so it might be a part way leap...

I just keep reading about how bad the job market is, how people haven't found anything for 10 months, you won't find anything before Xmas etc etc I've never felt so disheartened about finding a job before. It's only day 1 and I'm dreading it! 😬

Glad things turned out well for you.

What is a fake/ sham redundancy?

I had a temp contract job ending this autumn and had 2 job offers by July, from about 6 applications and 4 interview processes. Just started new job and my charity are recruiting 4 more roles as we speak. Other charities I know have redundancies though. But there are definitely jobs around.

For flex project management roles, look at the education adjacent sector like teacher training providers and organisations that support schools. Mid £40k for remote full time sounds about right.

@Cherryblossom200 just following up with how you got on here? I’m in a similar situation as of now, and feeling the exact same fear, so was searching for some success stories!

Hey!

So for the first 5-6 weeks I took off job searching I needed a break. My last job was toxic and really took it out of me. I then started looking around November time, it was only really a month or so of looking and then I had my first couple of interviews.

I luckily had an outsourcing company paid for by my ex employer and they were fab. I got great advice and they put my cv together and also sorted out my linked in profile. The big piece of advice was to not just send out my cv and wait, you have to follow up with the company/recruiter. Which I did and this bagged me my interviews.

It didn't take long, my first job I interviewed for I got and I been working for just over a month and so far really happy!

The salary is the same as my last place which I'm fine with, I'm in the office twice a week which I really like. It's a great balance for me as I get the social interaction.

I've managed to save a lot of my redundancy which I'll save for a rainy day.

For me taking time off at the start helped reset me. I needed time off to re-evaluate what I wanted out of my new job and it's paid off.

Having a positive mindset is also key, it's picked up in interviews,

Good luck 😊

I finished with my last employer through redundancy in October. I've just had my second rejection where I was appointable but not appointed. They said it was really close. I feel like I'm running back to back marathons at the moment 🙈 Really to work on self-care! Glad it's worked out for you @Cherryblossom200