What's the longest you have been out of work for?

[ThisPlumShark]

In your adult life for any reason
I would say 15 months

Two weeks. I was made redundant and couldn't start my next job until a set date.

About 3 days on arriving at university before I got a job at the student union (having left my bar job at home) .

And 5 days on leaving the police before starting my new job as I couldn't make the dates cross over due to moving house (to take up the new job).

Never (if we’re not including paid maternity x2). I was made redundant but it was dragged out so I had 5 months’ notice and found a job that was willing to wait so I finished one job, got a pay out that bought a car and conservatory, started new job on the Monday.

18 years. I started back last month.

Kids with SEND meant it was impossible for a while.

I haven't been unless you count mat leave. I was made redundant on the Friday working back in retail full time on the Monday while I looked for another long term job which took about 3 months. I had my first job at 15 as a waitress, and worked all the way through sixth form and uni, albeit part time in term time. Had plenty of times with two jobs due to working in a poorly paid area of the public sector though!

11years and counting! I went on maternity leave 11 years and two children later I’m still not working. I do plenty like chair the school PTFA and I’m a dance chaperone and I volunteer to alter all the costumes but I have not done any paid work since then.

Right now.
I’ve been out of a job since April last year.
We are temporarily overseas (DH’s job) and I am seemingly unemployable in this country 🫠
I have a ton of experience in one professional field, as well as hospitality experience. I’ve been applying for literally everything for almost a year and it’s crickets.
I am slowly losing the plot 🫣🫣🫣

6 weeks after being made redundant. It was a nice summer and my youngest was starting school in August, was signing on. Half heartedly applying for jobs, was enjoying going for a free swim and sauna every Friday. Got invited for an interview. Didn't think much about it, got recalled for further interview with the MD of company. Got offered job there and then, started the following Monday. Initial thought was It, ll do for now, was there for 20 years till I was made redundant.

Since I was 16 it's been 4 months in one period. That was when I took voluntary redundancy for a job that wouldn't allow me to reduce my hours after maternity leave and I had a handsome redundancy package which I was going to use for at least a year off being a SAHM. But then the perfect job appeared and I got it. That was 18 years ago and I've been in employment ever since.

23 years.

Currently now. 5 months.

Store manager was bullying me. Raised a grievance- nothing happened. He took the mick out of my dyslexia.

Now AI and dyslexia are holding me back from getting jobs. CVs get rejected from the AI scanning, even though I have done similar work in the past. AI isn’t adaptable and flexible with skills.

Interviews I mess up on the STAR questions. I have an interview on Monday. I asked is it possible to have the questions in advance due to dyslexia. They emailed them to me. Spend some time thinking of answers.

I am getting fed up, feel empty and have no motivation some days. I just want a bloody job. One person has caused this.

I will also add that I have a friend who works in recruitment for a massive hospitality venue here and she has told me the job market is completely mental.
They advertised a single, part time position in their housekeeping team a few weeks ago and had over 400 applicants for that one position.

About 1 month when I was 17, im 36 now. Even at uni I always had a job

Moved to the UK and started a job the next day. Was eventually made redundant and within 2 weeks I found another postion.

So since starting work at 14, 2 weeks without a job.

A whole glorious year. Took voluntary redundancy (covid cut backs) added it to savings and decided to take a year off. 'Paid' myself a salary every month, and focussed on just living for a bit. Finished my masters, redid the garden, tackled jobs around the house. Had a think about what I wanted next and went for it, similar role, completely different industry. Having space to breathe and think is massively underestimated. I was 40.

I had a month off between jobs once (on my request, they wanted me to start straight away), otherwise I've never been out of work.

A decade while I raised 4 children. I tried to get evening work but coercive abusive ex hijacked all my efforts. Got a job and a divorce as soon as I could.

25 years now (had a job for a few weeks at age 17) . Combination of Autism and agoraphobia

Two months. Had a job lined up for leaving uni but it didn't start to then. I did sub teaching for a year when covid hit so I had no work for a few months then but managed to get an office job for that summer before starting back to school in the September.

4 months between escaping a crap job and getting the next (good) job, in the late 90s.

Had 7 years as a SAHM but don't count that.

3 years. Brexshit screwed my industry and it has been difficult ever since. I am now doing something totally different.

34 years.. but l became severely disabled.

Never since I was 17.. I’m very very tired and would love a break, but I run my own business so can’t fire myself!!

Not 1 day. I'm 40.

A week between jobs that I planned on purpose to have a little break I could have started my new job the day after I left my old one if I wanted to. That's since starting part time work at 14.