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.

Can I ask about care home work...I'd be happy to do that but wouldn't be able to do the personal care side of things - I'm just being totally honest that side of it is not for me.
Are there jobs at care homes that don't require doing peronal care?
Thanks

I agree with this. OP, I know it feels desperate, and it is, but remember it will happen, something will come up; this isn’t how it’s going to be forever now. It’s a numbers game and unfortunately a waiting game. The next opportunity could be just around the corner. You have skills and experience and something will come up for you. I’m sorry you’re in this situation.

Did you not read it, the cost of selling/buying is astronomical! You clearly don’t own property. It sounds like any equity will be lost in cost of sale. Renting is likely to be much more costly! A ridiculous suggestion

You have got to sell and go into rented bedsit, potentially even a room in a shared house. If you are renting, you will get housing benefit

This is a terrible idea. OP won't get housing benefit as she will have savings from the money released from selling her property. She then will not get any other benefits either due to the savings. She will have to run through nearly all her savings before she is entitled to benefits. She will be in a far worse position.

It also costs money to sell a house and OP says she has none.

OP, if you are using agencies for temping work, you could try being a Teaching assistant or nursery assistant, they sometimes take people with no experience, or care worker, you will be best calling them in the morning to ask if they have any work. At least, that is how it worked well when I worked through agencies ( many years ago).

I believe there is government funding for short courses to acquire new skills if you are unemployed. Unfortunately can’t remember name of scheme. I work for NHS ICB where many are at risk of redundancy and we were told about this scheme in a presentation at work.

I would be reluctant to volunteer as a springboard into employment.

Charities are short of funds and desperate for volunteers so unlikely for that to translate into paid work certainly in the short term. Good for cv purposes though and helpful for say admin roles if you have admin experience with a charity.

sorry you’re in this situation - I had a relative in same position at similar age. High level, made redundant and unable to get post anywhere near the same level or at all initially. They did get a job at a much lower level of pay but readjusted and had much less stress so think in long run possibly wasn’t bad thing. Obviously doesn’t feel like that now for you. I really hope you get something. I can’t help other than to mention, as others might have done, that there is a charity for civil servants - literally called that! former civil servants are eligible and you can apply online for different types of assistance.

Have you considered an NhS bank work? I’m in Scotland not sure if it’s different in England but you could apply as a health care support worker with a bank, it’s 0% contract but in my experience you could work 7 days a week there’s so much work. Pay is reasonable and can apply for jobs while working. You pick your shifts so will have flexibility to do interviews etc.

Are you able to use a more gender neutral version of your name, especially in LinkedIn? Also, remove your photo if you have one. Sadly it seems that LinkedIn's algorithms favour men.

You could do support work. I’ll PM you later with links when I get to my laptop.

Where is this funding then?
You have to be unemployed for a minimum of six months to access any job seekers support whatsoever.
And then I would love to see some links as to what Training they’re prepared to offer
I was told they would fund things like Csc S cards once somebody has been offered a job and told that it is a requirement of the role that they have that documentation
Same with DBS, but this is really low level stuff. Nobody is going to fund you retraining as a six Sigma Greenbelt to go and work in manufacturing for example.

They also get quite shitty with you when you tell them that you want time off to go for a job interview and this is the trouble with low-level work, volunteering etc. These “employers” are pouring a great amount of energy into training people with no skills to do the role that’s useful to the charities.
They do get the hump when you move on
I had one incident where I needed a reference from where somebody had done voluntary work and they basically implied that the person was problematic. Because they wouldn’t do what the person wanted them to do and stay working with them forever and ever .
But if you had an inexperienced to Recruiter that didn’t dig below the surface this so-called charitable person implied that the person I wanted to employ had issues
As they say every good deed gets punished

A lot of us weren't suggesting it as a direct route to a job but more as a CV builder
I have learnt loads through being a trustee of a charity. It's great for management/strategic experience

Not read the full thread so apologies if these have been mentioned by other PPs

When you say agency do you mean a temping agency? As I've said many times I got permanent jobs through temping but I was not managerial level, far from it

DD's BF whilst between jobs worked at a doggy day care centre and also as a delivery driver but obviously you are counted out of the last one but I've put that in for the others who are searching as well

Could you house sit? Would reduce your bills if you are not there

Leaflets through doors although our local Lib Dem candidate was delivering their own

For how many hours a week?

Have a look at social care roles, there are so many different roles and they always need people even without experience so will take candidates from different walks of life. You can pay the bills and then carry on looking for something else. There are loads of roles in large care homes - catering, marketing, management, maintenance, nursing, activities coordinator, administration, compliance and governance etc, far removed from the personal care side of things.

https://jobs.lady.co.uk/ Any good?

Yes and tailor your CV accordingly. Temp agencies look for skills so bring those out.

Id consider retraining to do something else.
You have done a full year of applications for a similar position,so clearly that is not viable.

Don't discount this. I did it as a stop gap, it was flexible, left lots of time free to look for full time roles, and more enjoyable than I anticipated. You may not earn loads but hopefully enough not to get further into debt.

Set up as a self employed cleaner ?

Just wanted to say that I know a lot of posters are trying to be helpful, but some of the employment/other suggestions on here are not very realistic.

The reality is that in London at the moment it is very difficult to just find “any job”. There is huge competition for retail, etc type jobs and they tend to go to younger people - but even then it is difficult. I have a dd that is a student and was job hunting last year and it was such an eye opener…

there is an over-supply of people offering dog walking etc and these are often people with lots of experience in the relevant area. Things like house sitting are not what they might have been in the past - I often see house sitting advertised in Next Door and now people actually expect the person doing “house sitting” to pay rent.

There are just not enough jobs for people - particularly anyone over 50.

@SunDragon I saw you mention you have an Airbnb. I'd definitely bear it in mind when we next go to London! Not got any plans to go as yet but we will do in near future! Can you send details of it if possible please? Thanks

A friend has what I would describe as a gonzo portfolio career… she usually has several jobs, all of which are let’s say non-standard. One she did that appealed to me too was being a person that medical students could practice vaginal examinations on. Obviously only a few hours a month but decently paid.

This sort of thing

https://www.qmul.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/about-us/news-and-blogs/items/barts-and-the-london-school-of-medicine-and-dentistry-recruiting-unscripted-simulated-patients.html

My impression always is that so much of this is about who you know - get a one off from one of these things and you start meeting people who clock you for other things.