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.

utilise ChatGPT, it’s around 8quid a month, it ll save you so much time !! I use it so much for work (presentations , reports , automation etc), there is nothing in this world that ll help you more than that on job hunting

look into linked in lots of academic jobs there and key universities are very active there.. don t just look at jobs , look at posts ! Also follow key universities, find their direct recruiters on linked in and connect with them.. send them messages directly .if you cannot do 7 jobs a day , aim for 3 job application and 4 connections a day

different approach , once you’re on it, you ll be all over it , you ll find something quick x

BringBackCatsEyes
Stupid question but when you say all the jobs you’ve applied for are there many in industry? Pharma or medical devices or agricultural?

Can you rephrase your question please.

Sorry if I read it wrong but if you work in education in science can you not transfer skills and work in a lab environment or quality or something in science in industry? Are you applying for those jobs?

I get that you need a certain amount and at the moment you have the luxury to just apply for the jobs that cover your current lifestyle. But, things are tough out there. And it's something to consider. Sadly employers want something for nothing and aren't prepared to pay premium if they can get away with less. And they do with the amount of applicants for each job.

How are your research skills?

www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/develop-your-research-career

Or an agency?

sciencerecruitment.uk/about-sruk

I am using AI to assist me.
I am also using LinkedIn (as mentioned in previous posts) and understand how to use it.
As I keep saying, it takes one or two days to apply for a single job. I do not have time to do this during the week.
Thank you for your advice.

I do not work in education.
I have no lab experience. I am sure I could do an entry level position in a lab, but that's not what I'm looking for.

Actually at the moment I do have the luxury of just applying for jobs that will support my modest outgoings.
I fully understand the current climate.

I am not a lab scientist.

Not my area.

It is worth checking if there are civil service jobs for departments where you can be based at their local office nearest to you even if that location isn't listed. Suggest taking off your location on the search and look at policy, comms, analyst roles where you would have transferable skills and salary is better. Good luck.

Sorry op I thought you worked in a university setting in science

I’m looking at civil service jobs but the timeframe is very, very long.
Like months and months and the prep and interviews are a work of art.
It is a very difficult and a long process and getting nowhere fast.
I can’t find a thing as so little movement no one is leaving jobs at the moment and it’s impossible 😞.
Ive been looking for ages hard to believe am in this situation, done hundreds of applications and most disappear in to a black hole.
Even shop work that is in high demand so that not easy to just pick up.

What you mentioned is earlier on LI (open to work banner, and Premium) won’t get you close to finding a job timely, that’s what everyone does ; you need to dig in LI , as I mentioned with some examples, you need to utilise any capability offered 🙏🏼

everyone can say they’re using AI, LI etc … it’s How you use it that ll make you stand out , and I absolutely appreciate you’re worried, but if I were you I’d absorb any information I’m given , I wouldn’t dismiss

also within the 7 months left , you can easily get them to change their mind; you said they love your expertise which is fantastic, but they might be looking for something more (like most employers ) on personality side … it’s worth exploring, you might get a second chance

I am not going to put open to work on my LI while I still have 7 months with my current employer.
You have no idea how skilled I am at using AI.
You have no idea whether I can "easily change their minds" or what their opinion is on my personality. They are in fact not changing their minds; I was hired on a fixed-term contract.

I have no reason to believe based on the two appraisals I have so far that the reason they are not able to renew my contract is anything other than their business model. Science funding has gone to the dogs.

Ah yes, fair enough. I have worked in non-education roles within universities.

i never said you should put your LI banner up now or ever in fact, I did say this won’t help you find a job, as everyone does this , nothing special on about it

and I absolutely didn’t have a dig at your personality , i actually believe you do have time to turn this around (I have done in the past for myself more than once especially as a contractor when I’m frequently told there are no funds left )

but ..it does seem we are on different planets/levels/worlds and I wouldnt want you to get upset so I ll leave it as such

good luck

Ok, I’m going to put my neck on the block here. Whilst I completely understand how disheartening and worrying this all may be, your posts are coming across as both negative and a little snippy. There’s a lot of shooting down or dismissing suggestions. As I say, it must be soul destroying but you’re not going to do yourself any favours as this will no doubt start coming through during any application or interview process.

anyway, I genuinely wish you all the best OP.

I have no idea where people are finding 30 jobs a day to apply for, when they currently in work.

When I was looking, id be lucky to find one a month to apply for.

Chin up @BringBackCatsEyes you've got a decent chunk of time to carry on being selective before you start mass spamming job adverts.

I apologise, you didn't suggest I put the banner on LI.
I do think we are in very different fields and are rubbing each other the wrong way, so yes, maybe better to leave it here.

I have been snippy with a couple of posters, I agree.
I didn't start the thread to ask for advice.

People have taken the time to give suggestions and I agree, some I have responded negatively to. Either because the suggestions are ones I've thought of or are not suitable for now. Yes, I am fed up. I have been through all this ('just get any job', 'apply for all the jobs', 'save', 'cut back on all your spending') not long ago.

I give you my word I am entirely professional during the application and interview process. Having a space to moan helps with that.

Thank you for you good wishes.

@BringBackCatsEyes this will bring a wry smile - my employers have said they don't know why I am making a fuss as its SO easy to get another job; one senior leader actually said "Just think of all the great opportunities you have now!" Er yeah, ok then.

I'm mid-60s.

It’s very rude to be that snippy when people are offering genuine advice.

As I said, I did not ask for any advice.
I absolutely own being snippy in response to a suggestion to look at entry level roles.

Oh I've had that.
I think they say it to make themselves feel better.