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.

Hi,

I have a brilliant suggestion for you and I hope you are open to the idea as it would go a long way to solving your problem. All of them.

Your issue is very topical right now (middle class job redundancies, closures, due to AI and a govt. intent on destroying almost all small/medium businesses. They’re doing a grand job too, my hat goes off to Labour, soon it’ll be like the 1970’s … but I digress …

So, your issue is topical right now and many hundreds of thousands of people are interested in your situation. How it happened, the effect it’s had on you and how you move forward through it. You can’t get a job (that will happen to most people eventually) where you work for someone else, so work for yourself, where YOU are rewarded for the effort put into it. Thousands watch YouTubers detailing their daily struggles with life, the economy and everything else. You’re in a perfect position to create content that is both topical and important. Your stress and downfall could help others and at the same time rebuild your life for you. YouTubers can earn from £500 a month to 50k a month, it’s just tapping into the right market. I’d watch you as I’ve read you here …. You’re going through what many fear and what others have also gone through, so capitalise on it. Start with your mobile phone and a sob story …. Move on to the professional camera, subscribers, Patreon subscribers, people buying you a coffee and sending gifts to your P.O. Box … think I’m joking? There’s working for a living and being a content creator dragging in viewers, followers and sponsors. Get on it right now and stop wasting your time looking for a crap job that does nothing but take all your time, energy and creativity. Send me a link, I’ll be your first subscriber, I can’t wait for the next instalment of your story 😘

Most shared ownership leases don’t allow tenants to rent out their properties. But I agree with @Hoppity80 that if there’s enough equity that moving somewhere cheaper (and out of shared ownership) would be good. Then again the housing association will take their cut and the boom time for flats is long gone, especially in London. What do you think @SunDragon ?

You cannot just walk into a private PA role - it’s a career path in itself and hugely competive as the roles are generally well paid as it’s so demanding! A PA qualification is useless - it’s all dependent on experience and connections. The key to private PA work is your network and connections - I have been there and done that but with less than a decade out I wouldn’t be able to get back in again!

I've found myself in a similar situation and age to you. It feels impossible, demoralising and panic-inducing, so you have my sympathy.
One thing I've found, which might be a keeping-the-wolf-from-the-door stopgap, is the UKCIL website for PA (support worker) job vacancies. It's a site where people with disabilities who need a PA advertise directly. So instead of applying to an agency or company, your application is being read by the individual who wants a personal assistant. My experience has been that I've had a really high "hit rate" of people wanting to interview me and offer me work - totally unlike my experience when applying to organisations. I find that individuals judge my age less (and even see it as a positive sometimes) and instead respond to my personality and experience. It's much more about being a good "fit" with the individual in terms of interests, background, and general vibe. Turnaround time from applying to getting hired and started is often very quick - handy if you need money asap. Of course, it's low pay - around living wage, but it may be better than nothing.
Good luck, I hope you find something soon and don't get too ground down by it all.

Can you rent your flat out and move in with a relative or friend for a few months?

What about looking on NHS jobs, receptionist jobs are hard to fill (due to the general public sadly).

If you can rent your flat out and cover your rent I would consider moving somewhere cheap and renting a room somewhere near a job.

This was me a couple of weeks ago literally three or four weeks ago and I start one job on Monday and I’ve got two other offers on the table
Just keep applying and personalise every application you’ll be fine. The market has really turned since January.

https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/A0442-26-0005?searchFormType=main&keyword=Gp%20receptionist&location=London&language=en

Have you tried pubs? Here they are always in need of reliable staff, also every care home in my town is recruiting plus the school is desperate for teaching assistants. Finally, a bit out there but our outdoor pool is desperate for lifeguards available during the working day (most are at school then) so offering to train them too (you repay the course over the summer a bit each month). Some of these must be relevant to where you live? Literally every pub in my town is hiring and most the restaurants too

My sympathy @SunDragon , I am in the same position. About to fall off a financial cliff as my savings run out. I accepted voluntary redundancy from the public sector 2 years ago. I've been applying for everything I can but not a sniff of a job.
Agencies don't even reply to me. It's soul destroying....

I don’t know if this would interest you but often Estate Agents need help with showing properties. This could start as ad-hoc, but if you’re a people-person could lead to more secure employment

our economy must be absolutely in the pan if the op can’t find any kind of job in London of all places

I was in the same position after redundancy, couldn't find another job and had to claim universal credit but even after reducing everything down to the bare minimum I didn't get enough universal credit to cover my bills because of the benefit cap and living in a high rent area.

It's absolutely soul destroying to be applying for absolutely everything and most places don't even respond or reject you, they just ignore your application.

I did eventually get hired in a job most people wouldn't ever choose to do but I was desperate and it's at least keeping me afloat while I keep looking for something else.
If you get desperate enough they are always hiring.

I hope you find something very soon, I know it's an awful situation to be in, sending you a virtual hug

Another one our council has advertised a lot is casual registration assistants. It’s advertised as so many hours designed to assist at busier times. Would suit someone older/good with paperwork.

Can you turn your previous role and experience into a self employed consultancy role @SunDragon ?

You'll always get warehouse work. Just lie and say you've been a stay at home mum for 20 years and they'll still hire you. Most of the people at my last work didn't even speak English

Op I work for the NHS. I would suggest volunteering - hospitals will have a volunteering route and will be keen to take you on. This will massively help your job applications as then you have hospital experience, will have an enhanced dbs and done some mandatory training. It does not need to be a big commitment - could 2 hours a week.

if you can, in fact that’s my man suggestion - volunteer. It is easier to get a job is you know someone in the organisation. Likely to be ok low level customers or patient facing roles, but that can be massively rewarding.

I see you have your CV written for all eventualites , a lot of people dont bother and send the same CV to every job

Did you know the JC will pay for training? When unemployed for a certain amount of time, if you go to them and say, look all the jobs around here need a driving licence and I dont have one, they may ( each area is different I believe ) pay for a block of lessons

Im a worker - ie, no career path. I need to earn, I have limitations due to both physical and mental health and Ive managed to stay in work since a break down in 1998. The last long time out of work was after an injury 3/4 years back aged 58, which is when I signed on and was told by the JC , that they would pay for courses and even driving lessons if I could put forward a good enough case .

That injury took me out of what I do best - chef/cook so I found a role in a coffee shop - serving, dishwashing, and now Im back cooking

For me, I take on any job that works around my needs. So the past few years Ive been a market researcher , a cook, chef , dishwasher, auditor, veg prepper, run a tea bar, flipped burgers Ive also looked at cloak room attendant, events marshalls , seriously anything ,

Right now I get up at 5 am for work, cook for a deli counter at a service station and am home for 10 am. If I needed more money Id find a bar shift a couple of nights ( that's another of my go too when I need )

I live rural, very rural, and I still find work

London, there is work ( I lived there most of my life ) but you have to be prepared to be honest when you say you will take anything. I will and have done but for some, the thought of getting up at 4 am to go clean an office or shop is a step too far .

I am so sorry your are in this position and really hope you will find something soon.

i am a similar age and while I have a job I often think about how difficult it is to find a job once you are 50 or over.

Haven't read all your comments OP.
Do you state your age in your CV?

Could you start up a business or use some of what money you have left to invest into something you can do at home?

I sort of know how you feel.. though different circumstances. I was out of work for 3yrs as I left my job to do ivf and have babies and my partner and I at the time said it wasnt any point me having more kids if someone else was going to keep raising them so I became a stay at home mum. But I put my kids in daycare a couple years later as our finances changed and I wanted to help out after my husband got sick and had to quit his job. So I couldnt get any one to hire me, no one was getting back to me. The other issue i was having was my youngest wouldnt stay at daycare. No sooner would I drop her off I would get a call to come pick up her up and eventually I had to pull her out of daycare because the staff couldnt look after her. Since then though hubby is better and eventually went back to work, off the tools so fixed some of the financial issues we had when he lost his job.

Keep pushing through, someone will have to give you a go. Or maybe you could take this time to study to join a new industry.

Everyone wants to say no one wants to work anymore but honestly how do you get a job when everything wants paperwork and certificates or a minimum 3yrs experience or in ops case, over qualified,what does that even mean honestly, should mean you have a greater chance at doing the job better then anyone else. if you have been out of work for a number of years to raise a family then that isnt classed as working and your then not eligible to work or your not classed as valuable..

Try ..

Election day official.
Census co-ordinator.
University oversight of Phd and assignments.
Tutoring.
Exam supervisor.
Your own house cleaning service.
Puting up a notice in local laundromat to manage people's washing, drying, folding and ironing. Drop off and pick up at laundromat.
Buy a lawnmower and trailer. Branch into a pair of rose pruning secateurs.

Hire a professional to find you a job.

I feel your pain- I was recently made redundant during maternity leave and the stress is unreal.

Have you tried applying for vacancies at the Royal Household? Great employer and absolutely lovely place to work. Based on your background, it may be a good option

Could you take in a lodger to help out with costs? That could be a quick solution if you have space

A lot of people seem to have missed a couple of important points:
OP doesn’t have a driving licence and can’t get one due to epilepsy.
OP doesn’t not have a spare room. Hers is a one bedroom flat.

Sorry just seen you don’t have space.

given you’re in London. Do you have an allocated car parking space?
mad you don’t drive, can to rent out the space? There are websites that advertise them for rent.