What's a stable job I can train for quickly?

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I'm going through a divorce after 20 years as a SAHM. I've applied for 67 jobs so far, had two interviews and no offers. I'm applying for admin, reception type jobs. Can't do cleaning, catering or retail as I have disc problems in my back. No lifting, standing for hours or repetitive movements.

I have a BA and an MA in art history, an MA in creative writing and have published two novels in the last two years, but I don't make enough money from writing.

I need to find a career where I can make a decent wage (£30,000+) quickly. I have a little time to retrain if necessary, say two years, before the money runs out. What can I do?

I looked at teaching and shadowed a friend who teaches, but I don't think I'd be good at it. I looked at training as a therapist/counsellor but two people have said that the market is flooded with therapists. But I think I would enjoy and be good at that. What does Mumsnet think?

Any other ideas please?

Just had a look on Indeed and the roles only appear to pay around £25K.

Someone I know did a coding boot camp course thing (a really good well known one) and had several offers after that for jobs at around £30k+, earns a lot more now, a few years later. It took her about 9 months. I believe they had a certain number of spaces specifically for women on the course.

She had to teach herself a bit first to get onto the course, but was in a creative industry previously so no experience apart from that.

I also know someone who did an intensive coding course and they got good work out of it. They already had some interest in computers and had a maths/stats degree so they were good at that kind of logical reasoning type stuff.

I'd recommend getting a job in customer services at your local council. At mine there's constant turnover so they are often recruiting and you'd learn lots about different services so it's a great way in to then being able to apply for an admin role in a different team that you'd then have some experience and knowledge in. You'd probably start on about 25k in customer services but could easily then move on to a different admin job within 6-12 months and be on 30k plus. I've seen it a lot during my time in local government and would really recommend it if you're looking at that sort of pay/admin career.

Foster carer perhaps

Have you been doing any voluntary work whilst being out of the work place? When I was job hunting, I volunteer for the CAB. Those 18 months, equipped me with ICT, customer service, decision making and team working skills. All of which you will likely need to show evidence of, when applying for jobs ( particularly for the CS).

Agency work will give you up to date work experience and can often lead to permanent roles. Also enroll on any free IT courses whilst you job hunt.

Relate counsellors are volunteers though.

EHC Plan writer. Local authority so stable, good money and great pension. Lots of vacancies.

I have to agree. I’m a qualified librarian to masters level and there is a reason I don’t work in a library anymore!

All AHP roles that start at Band 5 are poorly paid, especially given you now have to pay tuition fees to get the qualification! The gap between minimum wage and Band 5 is getting ever narrower…

Just wonder, if to pop up to the Temp Agency with the CV with no current experience - what they can offer? How that's work? I also have a huge gap in my employment history (SAHM), wants to go back to work, have huge self-esteem problem (due to the lack of experience), applied to different positions with no luck.

I'd recommend a) current volunteer work and b) evidence of basic certifications in current office tech, e.g. completing an online course in Office 365 and Teams. If you can demonstrate that you're currently productively doing something officey and that you won't struggle with current office technology, you'll be much better positioned.

Social workers are very much in demand if you are prepared to do the training

I would stay away from IT. Too many qualified young people and you are unlikely to be seen as a strong candidate given your background. Lots of paid for courses with no real prospects after that

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You need some sort of experience first then either a three year degree or two year masters for SALT. Apprenticeships are thin on the ground and four years. If you are hoping to earn £30k in two years you're barking up the wrong tree.

Admin is competitive and with no experience you'll struggle because there are lots of candidates and few jobs. £30k in two years is achievable but depends on location.

Care sector is desperate for decent people but if you're aiming for £30k that would involve experience and managing people.

Sales?

Estate Agent?

Funeral director?

Postman?

Set up your own cleaning company?

I would do something that draws on your previous degrees and your writing skills.

I haven’t read the full thread but it’s a tough job market at the moment, so it’s definitely not just you!

A family member had some luck with joining the NHS admin bank, which led on to a permanent role.

You need some sort of experience first then either a three year degree or two year masters for SALT. Apprenticeships are thin on the ground and four years. If you are hoping to earn £30k in two years you're barking up the wrong tree

To be fair - entry point on band 5 (where NQTs are) is £29970. And if you did shadow experience asap and applied for a masters, you'd be there in 2 years (in any AHP role that did a masters qualification). You need to really want to be an AHP and want to work in the NHS though. It's a tough place.

That assumes she will get a job straight after graduating. I know someone who spent a year applying for Band 5 jobs before she was successful.

More demand for OTs I think.

Op, is there a reason you have so many qualifications but haven't worked for twenty years?

I agree with marketing and PR, either do a Master degree or a training programme, volunteer for a chairity doing their marketing and PR and apply for jobs.

Both saturated fields that I would really not want to be trying to get into as an older candidate with twenty years out of the workforce.

Realistically though, OP would be looking at a job paying minimum wage or a little above with her level of experience

You could look at roles that are focused on engagement and communication?

I agree with posters saying voluntary work would be helpful due to your lack of experience as an employee. But make sure you don't undersell what you have achieved by working successfully on two novels. I'd lay out your cv so that, concisely, you highlight the skills this demonstrates e.g. time management, project planning, narrative construction, as well as high standard of prose, plus marketing and contract negotiation if you managed to get the books published by a publishing house. Many employers would not realize the level of discipline and organization being a successful author takes, and the similarities to running a small business.