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.

Sorry to hear you are having difficulty finding a new role. What grade were you? Redundancy, as opposed to voluntary exit, is pretty rare in the Civil Service, so were there other factors such as sickness or capability? You mention epilepsy, is it well controlled?

Do you look on W4MP or in The Lady - sometimes HNW individuals look for senior support.

Civil service making compulsory redundancies everywhere right now. The payout is ok but depends on length of service.

Do you mind if I ask how you got into data annotation? I'm stuck in a situation (relocated for DH job) where I can't work, don't need it to make a full income but some extra money would make a huge difference.

Senior volunteering postions with charities on Board of Trustees. Look at becoming a portfolio NXD. Being a woman and having a disability pushes you right into the group of people companies are particularly interested in receiving applications from!

Night shifts at the Post Office. These roles pay well per hour.

Do your council offer volunteer courses that could lead to paid work?

After DS was born I did the councils breastfeeding peer support course and did a stint in a children's centre. It was honestly a god send to get out of the house for free, and then plenty of infant feeding peer support worker roles came up and the volunteers were preferred due to recent training.

I know they have done doula courses too, and other patient advocacy volunteer roles that lead to paid positions. That was in Sheffield though, but I'd have thought London would have more of these services.

I know someone who did this when he was made redundant and was successfully employed for years.

Solidarity OP. I’ve been looking for a part time job (self employed but financial insecurity is very stressful) and haven’t even made it to interview, most the time I spend a couple of hours writing an application to never hear back…

Like you incredibly grateful for UC but it doesn’t cover outgoings, but I’m lucky enough to make a steady-ish (although low) flow from self employment.

@SunDragon Any universities near you? The one in my city runs its own temp agency never they always need administrators. You get a temp job and they gives you the experience to go for a long term/permanent job.

It’s quite unbelievable, isn’t it. With massive shortages in social care and hospitality, I’d have thought getting a job, particularly in London, was relatively straightforward. Neither of these industries seem to be in a position to be holding out for experienced workers. Even in my much smaller town, there are currently about 15 current vacancies which have been on Indeed for more than a month, none of which say you need any experience. I wonder what the issue is there.

This isn’t the case though. I’ve been looking for 9 months for a job done hundreds of applications…personalised them as well.

The market has not turned since January, the Iran war has made things worse.

People in their 50s are battling. Saying you’ll be fine is not helpful.

I speak to recruiters regularly and it’s the worst jobs market in decades and some have been in recruitment for over 20 years.

It’s a perfect storm of employer NI hikes, minimum wage hikes, employee rights from day one, economy in a mess, global wars. Companies are not hiring. Plus ageism is rife.

Elections jobs have been suggested but the roles for 7 May would have been filled. However elections teams will be employing canvassers, signing people up to the electoral register, from the summer and this can pay well. Keep an eye on your local council website, where you will also be able to find information about support with the cost of living and careers support.

Do you volunteer? It would be a break from job hunting whilst getting some skills.

Would you consider working in the UAE or similar. An acquaintance found work in a university in their 50s.

All of that is true however I have three job offers that I didn’t have three weeks ago so things are on the move
I’m gonna take one of them. That means there’s two leftover for somebody else.
and none of them are waitressing or bar work or any of that crap they’re professional roles 40 K plus

What about care work? There is a huge shortage of carers. Lots of different types too, doesn’t have to be in a home setting it can be in the community.

@SunDragon look on your local council's recruitment site. You'll often find roles on there you can do. I went from being a executive level ops manager for multiple branches of a company to a council repairs call centre worker.

Honestly, it was a good move. I have moved on and up since then but still based in council.

Wages are fair, opportunities are good and you just need to get a foot in the door.

You'll need to answer in STAR format at interviews so best to practice this.

It sounds really hard, OP. I'd see if there are any possibilities as a clerk for school governing boards - it's hard to get good people to do this in person these days and it's very flexible. And check out catinaflat, lots of people in London use it for feeding their cats when they're away.

Are you managing to look after your physical and mental health? If you have a Freedom Pass, you can at least go to free galleries and museums. When I was in a poorly paid job I signed up to do psychological experiments at universities - quite fun and paid maybe £10 an hour cash which would at least get you some food. If you DM me I can send you the links. Online surveys will also bring a bit of cash in.

Do you have friends who will have you round for dinner and company once in a while? If a friend of mine was in this sort of situation then I'd be happy to pay them to clean my flat occasionally or do admin/DIY tasks I don't have time for.

This is an emergency and you have to stop the debt building up.

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.
Consider moving out of London to a cheaper area where the housing benefit will actually cover all your rent (in many areas the housing benefit max is capped lower than actual rents; goodness knows how someone on benefits is supposed to make up the shortfall).

It is heart-wrenching to give up the dream of home ownership, but you can't carry on building up debt.

Its the curse of the civil service. Everyone thinks we are lazy incompetents, unless you built excellent links with the private sector, walking into a lucrative position is almost impossible. Can de civil service your cv?
Marketing is a hard sell as there are so many cheap young people and AI tools which will do the social media basics for you now.
Best of luck, Im sure there is something out there for you.

I emailed a few catering companies direct and found work immediately with two doing front of house for events. Weddings and parties. It's wedding season so they will be looking for people I'm sure. Good luck.

Boils my blood, my DH and brothers work for CS and they work so bloody hard.

I saw something the other day about AI Training - ie work to check the output of AI engines. I work in finance and this was specific to finance but it was contract work to complete tests for finance technical tasks . Eg check outputs to accounting standards. Maybe something similar in your field? I didn’t apply so can’t tell you the firm name - just caught my eye.

For Data annotation the best site is DataAnnotation.tech definitely, but my current side earnings are purely from Prolific because its quicker to do in my spare moments.

Oh behaviour yourself
She needs to talk to her lender. She’s got a minimum of two years before we’re talking about bedsits.

Feel you OP, it's so tough out there right now. I've now had multiple job offers pulled at the last minute due to headcount freezes - the war and it's unknown impact is cited as the main driver.

Right now it's not even an option to take a more junior role job as most firms have significantly cut back here - just look at all unemployed grads.

My only suggestion is to walk around your local pubs and cafes to see if you can pick up some work there.

To disagree with everyone else - I don't think selling your property will help especially as you'll likely spend months on the market especially given what's going on with mortgages. Instead maybe considering renting it out and moving into a cheaper room in a shared property. That way you'll still be able to reverse once your work situation improves.

Several of my friends (mostly retired in their 60s) have worked as exam invigilators in local secondary schools over the last few years.

Maybe contact a local school, private or State, and find out how they recruit?

Your knowledge of epilepsy here may be an advantage.