Unemployed and panicking - what do I do?

[SunDragon]

I was made redundant around a year ago. I started applying for other jobs the day I was made redundant and for the past year I’ve spent every day writing job applications. No holiday, no break, just job applications.

I’ve not managed to get any work since. For context, I was at a fairly senior level, think for example, Head of Marketing (not that, but that sort of level). Jobs at my level are not overly common and often go to someone in the team ready for promotion, so it’s hard to get as an external candidate. I looked into senior-level consulting in the relevant field but didn’t get any interest. Jobs at a more junior level are turning me down for being over-experienced and likely to move on quickly to something else (real feedback received multiple times), even though I make it clear I’m willing to commit.

I’ve also tried to get “just any job” that everyone suggests would be easy. Cleaning, supermarket, etc. I’m not managing to get anything at all! No one will give me any work.

I’m running out of money and I’m in a state of panic about what to do. I applied for benefits, I get some money each month but it doesn’t cover all my outgoings so I’ve used up all of my savings and I’m starting to build debt.

Panic panic panic! What do I do? How can I get some work - any work at all? I’m desperate to earn some money. Any suggestions really welcome.

The economy is shit, I'm sorry OP.

What about live-in jobs and rent out your flat? Something like a house mistress at a boarding school?

Would you move abroad?

Could you do housesitting/ pet sitting and rent your flat out on air BnB whilst you’re away?

Does your living room have a door? Would you be open to getting a lodger in your bedroom or living room? I see lots of flat listings in London that say “no living room” as they’ve converted it into another bedroom.

Register with a temp / bank agency (or several). You will have something quite quickly. If you are willing to take anything at any level / pay it can be really worth doing. It often opens doors to longer term and higher level jobs. It gives you insight into sectors and types of jobs you would never normally consider. In the past I have always had work the next day or two but times are different now so may be longer.

AI is both a help and a hindrance with CV’s and cover letters.
I have done job applications where it asks if you have used AI for the job application.
AI is making those who may not be suitable sound capable so it is minefield. I’ve discussed this with several recruiters as application numbers are now so high they can’t tell the good from the bad as most are polished and bigged up by AI. So good candidates can easily be lost/missed as everyone sounds on AI paper that they are fab when in reality it’s made up.
The market is broken.
I’ve stopped going on LinkedIn it’s toxic and just awful now…just depressing on there.

Agree. I think it's a disaster really. You lose any sense of the individual and all applications will look the same

Have you tried websites like Upwork and Fiverr? I know someone who started on Upwork and ending up with a portfolio of clients as a freelance, through that and word of mouth.

Wait a minute: you own a house? Sell it, and move somewhere cheaper.

If you’re willing to do cleaning see if you can join some cleaning agencies. This is what I did when I was made redundant from my office job. You could also start your own house cleaning business. Start off cleaning some friends houses for reviews and see if you can build up a clientele. My friend has her own business and it’s thriving. She used to be a retail manager.

Wish I had the answer. I’ve been turned down for being over qualified for jobs that are the same level as me but something I’d have found interesting. It’s gutting. More recently I can’t even get an interview. 2 years ago I was getting in the door but each time an internal candidate beat me but feedback was always positive so nothing to “improve”, now I can’t even get in the door. I think it’s because of AI and so many applications looking better than the candidate actually is.

It’s a terrible market to sell a house. The Op has already inferred if she sells she’ll be in a worse financial situation. Personally if I was absolutely fucked financially I would be looking for ANY live-in job and rent my property out.

Moving is expensive!

It’s as though no one has heard of negative equity.

@SunDragonapologies I've not read the whole thread but I've seen some success on linkedin by people posting they're struggling and can the network help. I think this has worked for people - might be worth really putting yourself out there to see what's available?

It's really hard at the moment in the employment market ❤️

Actually I do have a good idea that I haven’t put down. Don’t underestimate community spirit helping out. I know you are in London so I’ll accept it might be different in a large city, but I know that if I wrote something on my local towns’ Facebook resident groups basically saying I was looking for a job and gave a synopsis of my qualifications and experience that I would get replies trying to help. Now I’m not saying there wouldn’t be a large amount of scam type replies or people trying to get you working in a chicken factory, but caught up in those replies might be a company that was just about to put out a job advert and it could be the kernel of something interesting.

Go straight to the care homes, not through an agency. I say "homes" because without a driving license you'd be much better doing shifts in one place, not domiciliary care.

Double check benefit entitlement now you have no savings. When you get some work, universal credit will be really helpful (because of the disregards and top ups), even if it makes no difference now.

Good luck, and I'm so sorry you're going through this x

Is The Lady magazine still around? They sometimes have jobs that are not on Indeed etc. More domestic based, like housekeepers or (day) nannies, but it could have something suitable.

Thank you, will check that out.

Yes, a live-in job would be ideal.
What are the chances of getting one in time?
And by 'in-time' I mean before the mortgage defaults and the lender takes action.
It is complicated because it is shared ownership, so the mortgage lender doesn't just re-possess the entire property.

Yes, OP needs to talk to her mortgage lender, talk to the shared-ownership provider (presumably a HA?), and talk to estate agents about how quickly a shared ownership property might sell - they are hard to sell at the best of times.

@SunDragon Can you sell your share back to the provider and go back to renting 100% in the house you are in, i.e. without moving?
If you did that, would housing benefit cover 100% of the rent, or would you still have to move if you couldn't fund a shortfall from Universal Credit?

Always better to jump before you are pushed.

I’m retraining in procurement and supply chain
I’ve got no previous experience whatsoever a side of a background in business and finance, but it’s all transferable

You are wrong that you can’t walk into a job anymore. I work in health and social care. The companies that hire support and care workers are desperate for staff and don’t care about your experience and qualifications. If people don’t want to better into a permanent job they can choose to work flexibly as a bank worker. This is why I’m sitting here feeling confused after reading more comments from people who are struggling to find work.

https://www.local.gov.uk/pathways-to-planning Someone on here posted this the other day - paid training and a masters, for grads of any discipline, and there seems to be a fair amount of jobs in planning here and internationally. Maybe not fast enough for OP but in case it's of interest to anyone in the same boat.

Not everyone has the physical ability to do that kind of work though.

I hear you OP. All this stuff about ' take any job' . You can't. The jobs people on here on don't respect and think anyone can walk into at will, are actually business critical jobs to the employers. They want someone who will stay. That is why students are attractive to them as they hope they will keep them for a few years.

Anyway, no comfort for you. My H has been in the same position for two years.

He is now working for Evri to earn money. You could try that. I think they will take anyone as they have a very flexible model for their drivers where you just say what days you will work that week. If you can drive and have a car that may be an option.

Your council is almost certain to have some sort of employment support scheme that you could try. Ours was useless for H as they just thought he would easily get another job and did not take him seriously, but you may have better luck. These will often support you to get a basic vocational qualification ( they pay for this) to enable you to get into work, as well as giving you a mentor to support and encourage you. Some of these schemes are very good and will pay for equipment you need to get into work, including if you are going self employed. I know a couple who set up their own cleaning business and got support to do this. You could look into that. Maybe set up as cleaner - see what support you get from business enterprise or an employment support scheme. That will give you the flexibility to keep on looking for another job more in keeping with your previous experience.

If you wanted a complete career change, - there are some apprenticeship schemes now run by some public sector employers - some councils have adutt apprentice schemes for early years work and are keen to take on mature people, our local transport provider just advertised for a whole range of apprenticeships for a whole range of professional office jobs, as did a local council to me. Be a massive pay cut obviously, but a chance to have higher earnings in the future.

Have you looked at temporary work helping with vote counting just to get some money coming in? Exam invigilation could be another one?

Sorry if someone has suggested this already - I haven't read the whole thread.