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Here I go again :-(

229 replies

BringBackCatsEyes · 29/05/2026 17:10

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.

OP posts:
Onbuy · 23/08/2026 13:46

TheVeryAngryBanana · 23/08/2026 10:41

Gert out of academia and research services. It's an exploitative dead end and hugely ageist to justify the exploitation. You keep saying you're not looking outside your field, but your field has royally fucked you for possibly decades. You're acting like an abused wife. It's not going to be pleasant beginning again in a new field at possibly somewhat lower pay, but it doesn't sound like you realistically have that many options either financially or mentally.

Love, an ex academic who is stuck in a 1 bed flat trying to conceive in her 40s having moved internationally for the high profile roles that would definitely make my CV, whilst giving it my best years. Leaving was the best thing I did.

What industry did you move to? @TheVeryAngryBanana

BringBackCatsEyes · 23/08/2026 13:54

Onbuy · 23/08/2026 13:44

If you contract doesn’t finish until January… what happens if you get a job next week? You’ll have to explain you can’t start until until Jan?

If I get one of the jobs I have in the pipeline (ones in my field) I will give notice (1 month) and move. I think that's normal.

OP posts:
Onbuy · 23/08/2026 13:55

BringBackCatsEyes · 23/08/2026 13:54

If I get one of the jobs I have in the pipeline (ones in my field) I will give notice (1 month) and move. I think that's normal.

Ah I see I thought it was a 12 month fixed contract

BringBackCatsEyes · 23/08/2026 14:01

Onbuy · 23/08/2026 13:55

Ah I see I thought it was a 12 month fixed contract

It is, but that doesn't mean either side cannot give notice. It just means that after 12 months no notice is required. I think that's how most fixed-term contracts work.

OP posts:
Onbuy · 23/08/2026 14:02

BringBackCatsEyes · 23/08/2026 14:01

It is, but that doesn't mean either side cannot give notice. It just means that after 12 months no notice is required. I think that's how most fixed-term contracts work.

Ah I see.

Gettingbysomehow · 23/08/2026 14:12

I feel your pain OP I really do. I'm 64 and had a similar two years 6 years ago.
I decided the only solution was to apply for jobs countrywide.
I did this and managed to get a permanent job in Somerset.
This meant moving from East Sussex which was a right palaver but thats another story.
Im very happy here now but widening my horizons meant getting a job until retirement so I just had to do it.
I sold my house rather than renting it out so I guess Im staying here now.

Astoreilike · 23/08/2026 15:54

BringBackCatsEyes · 23/08/2026 09:59

I have amazing contacts and I am of course in touch with them.

I am depressed. What calmed my mind yesterday was accepting that if I die then the bank will get some of my house value to pay off the mortgage, then my sons would get the rest. This is preferable to me selling my home and it all being used in rent. So yes, I am a bit worked up. Probably best I dip out of this thread for a bit,

Outside of the job hunt… how is life?

Astoreilike · 23/08/2026 15:58

Gettingbysomehow · 23/08/2026 14:12

I feel your pain OP I really do. I'm 64 and had a similar two years 6 years ago.
I decided the only solution was to apply for jobs countrywide.
I did this and managed to get a permanent job in Somerset.
This meant moving from East Sussex which was a right palaver but thats another story.
Im very happy here now but widening my horizons meant getting a job until retirement so I just had to do it.
I sold my house rather than renting it out so I guess Im staying here now.

Presumably you were single with no ties to where you lived?

ProudBlackMomma · 23/08/2026 17:50

Keeping everything crossed for you OP x

Travelban · 23/08/2026 18:12

Gettingbysomehow · 23/08/2026 14:12

I feel your pain OP I really do. I'm 64 and had a similar two years 6 years ago.
I decided the only solution was to apply for jobs countrywide.
I did this and managed to get a permanent job in Somerset.
This meant moving from East Sussex which was a right palaver but thats another story.
Im very happy here now but widening my horizons meant getting a job until retirement so I just had to do it.
I sold my house rather than renting it out so I guess Im staying here now.

Yeah I have applied kiterally everywhere, even internationally. The worst part for me isn't being rejectet but being ghosted. A few years ago when I was jobhunting, it ead easy to chat to recryiters but they mainly ghost you as well. Difficult times...

Gettingbysomehow · 23/08/2026 18:21

Astoreilike · 23/08/2026 15:58

Presumably you were single with no ties to where you lived?

Far from. Ive been a single mum and have loads of pets. Everyone I know is in Sussex. Im also disabled.

Astoreilike · 23/08/2026 18:23

Gettingbysomehow · 23/08/2026 18:21

Far from. Ive been a single mum and have loads of pets. Everyone I know is in Sussex. Im also disabled.

But when you made the move across the country?

TheVeryAngryBanana · 24/08/2026 07:14

Onbuy · 23/08/2026 13:46

What industry did you move to? @TheVeryAngryBanana

IT and management consultancy, although I'm slightly hypocritical because I actually do a form of contract commercial RnD now, sometimes for government. It's a lot more project management and less science than true research sector, but I love that is actually used, and most importantly I have stability and a future.

Astoreilike · 24/08/2026 07:39

TheVeryAngryBanana · 24/08/2026 07:14

IT and management consultancy, although I'm slightly hypocritical because I actually do a form of contract commercial RnD now, sometimes for government. It's a lot more project management and less science than true research sector, but I love that is actually used, and most importantly I have stability and a future.

Edited

But much less money? Sorry trying to see the relevance of the one bed flat trying to conceive

Thepromising · 25/08/2026 17:28

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

NewAchievement · 25/08/2026 17:45

Oh catseyes how shit.

This is when being a single parent can be overwhelming! It’s hard to describe the fear of everything being on you! Every fucking thing!

But you’ve done before and you will do it again. Deep down you know this!!

I’ve been in a similar position as you. It’s shit, in fact more than shit. But you do you have options.

Some that people in here will sneer at. I’ll tell you what I did.

— Put my 2 teenagers in the same bedroom and got a lodger for the third bedroom for £750 a month!

Did teenagers like it! Hell no! Did I like it? Absolutely not! But did it get us through a tight spot? You bet it did!

—Got a job as a Care Assistant. In fact got offered several positions. Chose a private one who had much better terms and conditions. Worked 40-50 hours a week on minimum wage. Literally crawled upstairs to get to bed as was so tired. Volunteered for every shift going. And even though it was zero hours contract, I quickly become a reliable employee. In fact they offered me a promotion a month in.

I used to lie quietly sobbing in my bed, exhausted and frightened, as I filled out another application form.

Nobody to confort me, give me a cuddle and say “there there there, we can get through this”

Because there is nobody just you!

BUT cats 3 months of hell and I got the bloody job of my dreams. I’m 60 in a few months and can’t believe how happy I am in my new job. Just got another promotion and will be on £70k! Which I know isn’t a high wage for mummset 🙄 but it’s a lot for me!

You can do this cats you bloody well can!

OtterMummy2024 · 25/08/2026 21:06

The short term contracts in science are **ing awful. Are you in a part of the country with start ups /university spin outs? Can you move initially administration/management/health and safety?

DecisionTime123 · 25/08/2026 22:56

@NewAchievement well done, that sounds like it was very hard indeed; what type of work did you get in the end, the job you wanted?

NewAchievement · 26/08/2026 00:04

DecisionTime123 · 25/08/2026 22:56

@NewAchievement well done, that sounds like it was very hard indeed; what type of work did you get in the end, the job you wanted?

Thank you DecisionTime it was indeed very hard work. And I’m proud to have got through it, and my kids, I believe, learned resilience too.

I’m now in a job that makes a positive difference to people’s live and everyday I wake up excited to go to work! My kids are thriving, one at uni doing Social Work and the other working with animals.

I just hope OP can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

ilovebrie8 · 26/08/2026 08:11

Well done @NewAchievement !

No one should sneer you did amazing and look at you now.

Times are difficult, very difficult I know from bitter experience.

Compactwallet · 04/09/2026 13:21

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Travelban · 07/09/2026 15:12

I am happy to share that I have accepted a job offer - now waiting for the contract, paperwork etc so hopefully it will all go well. It was a very tough 6 months and my finances were going to take a nose dive if I didn't get a job soon, so I am really relieved. Probably looking to start in November. Same package more or less and I am very happy with it. Ironically I was headhunted for this one and although I had to go through all the interviews, it became clear from earlier on that they were keen. I have been extremely lucky, fingers crossed. Been ghosted or rejected by nearly 100 roles, and only had a handful of interviews......

Travelban · 07/09/2026 15:12

PS I hope this sends a message of hope for everyone trying that things WILL Happen for you too..

DecisionTime123 · 09/09/2026 16:26

Congrats @Travelban I can imagine how that feels! I've been offered a freelance contract but way below my normal freelance rate, and I wanted salaried but for now I will take it. Just worried I'll be in same boat this time next year. Any news @BringBackCatsEyes ?

Also few posts being deleted, its a fairly non contentious subject, older women trying to get work - makes you wonder wtaf these people have said that could be offensive!

Travelban · 09/09/2026 17:15

Thank yoi and congratulasions @DecisionTime123 hopefully it's one they can extend this time! And yes no idea what was said... pretty baffling.
Still waiting for my paperworl to arrive snd trying not to panic about them changing their mind...