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Original poster

come and suggest insane new careers for a poor woman at a crossroads in life

78 replies

Cappuccino · 06/10/2008 17:19

so I did not get another job today and I am wondering if I need to change direction

I have no idea what to do

what if I retrained for something; would it bankrupt me? I need to earn money

I have done all sorts of bits of freelance fundraising/ marketing/ arts work/ copywriting recently and I feel like a pinball in a machine; I can't seem to get a permanent post

OP posts:
Original poster
Cappuccino · 08/10/2008 11:46

morningpaper I did fundraise for 18 months for a special school

not seen any jobs since tho - I could do them easily, I exceeded all my targets

OP posts:
morningpaper · 08/10/2008 11:47

We tend to advertise in : the big issue / the guardian society and local newspapers

Also it might be worth contacting local charities with your CV, saying you'll be happy to take on one-off projects

MrsFlittersnoop · 08/10/2008 11:48

Hi Capuccino,
I really feel your pain

Had an interview last month for a job which was a perfect match with my skill-set, local and fabbo money - 140 applicants, only 2 interviewees including moi. The job went to the other candidate, a bloke who's 15 years younger than me, and was apparently a better "fit", ie the company is run by 2 blokes who are about 15 years younger than me..... [hmmm]

I'm in London, and the job market here is DIRE. I've been looking for a bog standard office admin job for the last 2 months, and every suitable vacancy is attracting literally hundreds of applications, thanks to the recent redundancies in the City.

If it's any consolation at all, recruitment is at it's lowest level since 2001 (see this article )

Swede's idea is excellent. My DH has nagged persuaded me to study website design at home as well as brushing up my PC skills. The upside of the recession is that companies will take on freelancers to undertake specific projects (particularly in marketing and advertising) rather than employing people full time.

One of the few growth areas in your field is online advertising. There are very few suitable candidates for these vacancies and the money can be good. If you know anything about AdSense, Pay-Per-Click campaigns or Search Engine Optimization techniques you can clean up. You can also teach yourself these skills at home.

ahundredtimes · 08/10/2008 11:49

I was whiling away the time looking here for jobs for you

Original poster
Cappuccino · 08/10/2008 11:51

100x thanks - I spend my life there

dh works in the arts too so hears all grapevine jobs

OP posts:
ahundredtimes · 08/10/2008 11:51

Oh god, apply for this one Cappy here

it is freelance, but keep doing that until a the right FT job comes along

ahundredtimes · 08/10/2008 11:52

X post blush sorry

Original poster
Cappuccino · 08/10/2008 11:55

okay you are all making me feel much better about my chances of drumming up some work for myself when my contract ends rather than watching repeats of Diagnosis Murder and drinking coffee

OP posts:
ahundredtimes · 08/10/2008 11:57

I mean.

I've just found a job for you as a bid writer. Do you want to do that?

Actually it's really annoying when people find jobs for you when they've NO IDEA what the jobs are or what they are doing isn't it?

I might make you a cup of tea instead, and wait for Swedes to come back. I bet she'll have a visual presentation and targets and stuff.

Original poster
Cappuccino · 08/10/2008 11:57

100x I don't understand that ad

I will read it again mebbe

OP posts:
Original poster
Cappuccino · 08/10/2008 11:58

I wish it was a bid writer. It seems to be more complicated. It talks about 'essays'

since I had children I can only stretch to pieces which heavily feature bullet points

OP posts:
hannahsaunt · 08/10/2008 11:59

Do you live near a University? Lots of very different jobs there and once you're in there is quite a lot of scope to move around and try out different areas. There is no defined entry for a university administrator - they employ a very diverse bunch which can make the workplace all the more interesting. Good terms and conditions. Lots of scope for flexible and/or part-time working.

ahundredtimes · 08/10/2008 11:59

Oh I didn't understand it either. I read another Ad - not on AC website - about being an Arts Officer capable of blue sky thinking and I didn't understand that one either.

Here's the bid writer one. www.simplymarketingjobs.co.uk/jobs/retail/marketing/north_west/bid_writer-310491.html

I really will go and put the tea on.

Original poster
Cappuccino · 08/10/2008 12:00

I love you all very much

OP posts:
ahundredtimes · 08/10/2008 12:03

Oh no look, you have to write stuff to make the art accessible and meaningful. Easy. Bullet point heaven

zippitippitoes · 08/10/2008 12:56

i have done adwords for my own business and search optimisation

i didnt mean could you really do that cap

i meant swedes can one really do that

i am sure you are much braver than me cap and could do it lol

i am faffinf g spending an insane amount of time preparing this presentation for an interview tomorrow and i know i am going to be up all night

i keep thinking brilliant followed ten minutes later by no its an awful idea i have the wrong end of the stick on the brief

i have done enough research to write a book

and so dont know what to include

a normal person would have just got on and done it

i feel your poain anyway

where are these charity fundraiser joibs anyone can do?

they always specify experience when i look at them?

onebatmotherofNormanBates · 08/10/2008 13:08

Oh gawd. I'd hire Swedes.

I think we have a similar skillset, Cappie, although mine is even more specialized (and therefore pretty useless if you don't want/can't return to it)

I am planning a big push this next week.
Total CV mailshot.

Blackduck · 08/10/2008 13:17

I am searching all local unis/colleges and all govt bodies I can think of. Saw loads of funding raising jobs on a charity job site (can't remember the name, but search charity jobs) I get terribly stuck in my thinking and find it really hard to think of how to apply my skills elsewhere (can do it for other people thou' - may be I should become a careers advisor?).

Try TES and THES and jobs.ac.uk for all uni/college stuff. How about NHS - they employ across the board - not just dr's and nurses. Trying to think laterally here!

Blackduck · 08/10/2008 13:18

oh and how about 'Tree Climber' - came across that one this moring - seriously!

vonsudenfed · 08/10/2008 14:08

If it's any consolation, I'm in the same boat - only I am looking up to your experience. How did you get the freelance copywriting work? And what sort of rates do you charge.

I am in similar state - the only job that I can do locally (in what I used to do) - has fallen through, and I desperately need to earn some money. Freelance copywriting would be lovely right now. OR anything, really.

Original poster
Cappuccino · 08/10/2008 14:30

to be honest the copywriting was part of other work; other marketing work, writing the stuff for it. I haven't had a job where someone just gave me the writing and done the rest.

God, that must be nice. The lack of responsibility to get rid off all the damn print when it comes.

OP posts:
nymphadora · 08/10/2008 14:30

I am in similar place. There is only 4 places locally I can go & work in my 'field' Have just left 1 (advice- don't go out with the boss ) didn't get job at another and other 2 aren't hiring. Am trying to diversify but noone even gives me an interview. Have ended up with a job thats 3 hours a week.

choosyfloosy · 08/10/2008 14:37

Feel v much for you. If it's any help, Neville Shute's stated recruitment policy was to advertise a job, not answer any letters, then employ the person who knocked on his door to find out why not.

So why not ring the person who interviewed you and ask to take them for a bite at a pub and get full-on feedback? They will definitely remember you then when the girl who has got your book doesn't turn up, is crap at the job or decides she can't relocate for the money after all.

zippitippitoes · 08/10/2008 14:58

everyone sounds so positive

it can only be a matter of time surely

in my case a ridiculously long time tho

maybe you could do pr for restaurants

i think everywhere is or will be cutting back now anyway

mumof2littleboys · 10/10/2008 11:46

Hi, I really feel for you. It is so different (and difficult) when you have kids.

I have moved into career coaching for Mums to help them solve exactly this issue. I am really loving it and it's flexible and I can do it mostly from home. I'm also getting great satisfaction from it.

Would it help you to think of the solution as 2 steps? First step is to get something which pays you and gets your confidence back (if you need money in a hurry) and then longer term work out what you really want to do, and work towards that goal.

You mustn't forget that loads of people apply for one job so generally you have to apply for loads of jobs before you get one. This is normal (although tough to take).

Be interesting to try and work out why you're not getting the job. Is it that you aren't right for it, you need to brush up your interviewing skills (consider a short course?) or you were just unlucky?

If you don't fancy teaching, don't do it!!!

Look at what you do really enjoy doing and take it from there.

I wish you loads of luck with it...