Here I go again :-(

[BringBackCatsEyes]

Was made redundant in Sept last year. Found work in Jan of this year after months of dehumanising, depressing searching.
It's a 12 month fixed term contract. I am doing very well. The company is doing well.
Was told today it won't be renewed. Now I have to remain professional while looking for work.

I am a lone parent, age 55.
I don't know if I can go through it all again.

I am in academic science. There are few jobs in my field.

I shall pull down my blackout blinds and rejoice in it being summer!
There is that I suppose. I'd be feeling a lot more blue if it was mid Jan.

You sound so strong. Motivated. Disciplined. Impressive. All power to you. Wishing you every success in your job search.

Although it’s a 12 month contract, if they’re doing well and there’s plenty of work, did they say why they’re not doing to renew? Is your particular project coming to an end? Can you try to make a case for them to keep you on or ask if there are other opportunities at the company? Would they keep you on at a lower salary? Join some agencies soon. Hopefully this fresh experience will at least look good on your CV.

Hey @OPhave you tried Rowland recruitment? Look them up on Linked In. I’m also in STEM, I understand. They specialise in our field. Where abouts are you? Feel free to DM me.

7 months is a long time, someone else in the company may leave by then

Other funding may come in

Look at opportunity and manifest

Something will come up

In the nicest way, don't soon yourself oit of a another new role but being grumpy and negative for the rest of your contract. You'll be unintentionally making yourself miserable. Still enjoy itz embrace it, let people know you'll be available, get researching and see what happens later in the autumn

Sensible words, thank you.
I am feeling less blue this morning, though I haven't had much sleep.

Thank you.
It's Rowland Scientific Talent Solutions and I've just looked them up. They don't really cover my sector (bioinformatics, scientific publishing), but I appreciate you taking the time to give advice.

It's all part of the business model apparently.

It's a small company, I know of all the opportunities.
I will absolutely not offer to work on a lower salary.

It’s depressing isn’t it, the employment market is absolutely dire.

Totally understand and as a lone parent I get it. Really hope you can find something and quickly.

Really struggling today.
My confidence is on the floor and my paranoia is through the roof.

You’ve got a long time - take it week by week.

This well, can you put your current job description into an AI and get a list of your transferable skills and how to play them up?

Look for NHS band 2/3 roles - a lot are fixed term but if you get into a good office they will keep you on. There’s scope to move up the bands.

Over the next 7 months review every single outgoing. Reduce everything you can, save and make sure your buffer is topped up. Get on Vinted and sell anything you can with all money going into your savings.

I know you mean well, but that’s so depressing to read.
With nearly 35 years professional experience you’re suggesting I take on £25k housekeeping roles.
I already pared down all my outgoings when I was made redundant.
Vinted may raise a few hundred quid - that doesn’t really make much difference.

It’s not just housekeeping. I‘m a band 2 in admin and it can be really rewarding. A job is a job.

A few hundred could be the difference from one month to the next.

Beggars can’t be choosers springs to mind.

Thankfully I am not at the begging stage yet.
I do still have 7 months in my current role.
Your post has helped me remind myself of that.
I don’t doubt that band 2 jobs are rewarding.
Do you support yourself, home and child on that single income?

Apply for as many civil service jobs as you can. Low level, then after 6 months you can apply for more suitable roles internally and progress, or not if you prefer. The security checks (for a normal person, not dodgy government types) take months so get some applications in this week. If you need help on the applications PM me - it's a specific structure required but easy once you know how. I've done several of the applications - but if someone has more experience then hopefully they will pop up.

How old are your sons? Are they contributing financially if adults?

Is there any possibility you can save extra for the next 7 months and cut back in some ways?

Sorry to hear this OP (and everyone else who is going through this).
Can you start, at your current role, asking people ri refer you to other contacts in your industry, in anticipation of your contract ending? Does the organisation you’re at now advertise roles internally? I think they must regard you highly to have told you now and as others have said, other roles may come up between now and Christmas.

I’ve posted this on other threads, but if helpful, I was made redundant last year (I’m in my 50s). I made a real effort on LinkedIn (although I did find it cringeworthy at first) and connected to people in industries / organisations in which I thought my skills might be relevant.

I messaged people to say that I was becoming available and asked them for referrals.
I also updated my CV and only put the last ten years of experience on it and took all education dates off, so they couldn’t tell exactly how old I was and then, hopefully by the time I got an interview, they’d like me enough to not be ageist!

I’d also suggest, if you have quite niche or specialist skills, think about what else they could be used for - e.g. have you managed complex projects?

Good luck everyone who’s searching.

Hello can I join? Made redundant last month, about 100 applications so far and nothing yet ( a few interviews though at least 👍)

I did not realise AI was such a big factor in the application process, you can no longer just fire off a CV and have to tailor every application specifically it's quite time consuming.

Good luck to everyone searching 🙂

You can use AI for this though - upload the job description and CV and ask it for pointers on how to tailor your CV for the role and whether you’re a good fit. The important thing with AI is to check what it gives you and use it to tailor your work, not do it for you, so what you send in is still you and not a generic response. Good luck!

The jobs market is dire, it’s horrific I’ve been looking for nearly a year and done so many applications.
Been in a professional too, and in my 50s and it’s brutal.
Starting to wonder if I’ll ever get back in to it again.
Finding just any job isn’t easy either.
You have got time but I know how awful and depressing it is looking for a job.

Again, not trying to teach anyone to suck eggs, but in relation to your CV make sure it’s not just a list of jobs, but shows what was the purpose of your role, what were the key achievements/outcomes that you delivered etc.
Also (and I’m sure lots of people have already), but consider contracting in your known field, update your LI profile so that (at least) recruiters know you’re available for work.

Thank you, but as my OP says, I found employment following my redundancy; I’ve already done everything you advise.
I’ve also said that I did some consultancy work.

That doesn’t fill me with confidence. How are you managing financially?