Spill the beans... on surviving unemployment

Richard019

Coming at it from another angle because I've gone through a similar process of having to adjust my lifestyle to a dramatic loss of income. A couple of years ago I was working and decided for various reasons I wanted a career change and took it upon myself to start applying for jobs (with little success) and also prepare to return to studying.

I discovered I couldn't get straight into the uni I wanted to go to because I'd been out of education for too long (they only wanted people who could demonstrate study skills within 2 years), but that if I went to the local college to do HNC or HND courses I was eligible to the same funding as any other student because I didn't have a qualification at that level or higher, and I've done that with a view to going on to uni and other courses later.

I don't see why somebody who was made redundant couldn't do the same thing with regards studying at college or a less picky uni (what ever is local to them). Granted timing has to be right, but with January and August/September intakes at most colleges, and any redundancy payments/warnings one of the two intakes should be suitable for most people.

I know there's a stigma about the fees (which Martin has covered elsewhere) but the student loans are higher than the income from JSA (I get about £7k a year plus fees), so if people have mortgages and bills to pay it's better to have the student loans that they might not ever have to repay than to have late payments or bank debts at higher interest in their place. Mine is actually paying off my mortgage, so in terms of debt I'm turning a "hard" one into a "soft" one and not even considering it an increase for that portion of it. Obviously I've had to make some cutbacks, but not as many as if I'd quit and gone on JSA.

It's not for everybody, but I know that with a mortgage if when I'd been working I'd been made redundant the first thing I would have looked to do (other than immediately stopping all unnecessary expenses) is secure a regular income that was higher than JSA from any possible source. This ticks both of those boxes, and allows you to develop new skills which will help get a new job in what's a difficult market, as will the fact that you're showing a desire to help yourself whilst you're unemployed rather than doing nothing. The added advantage is that at most colleges, unlike unis it's not a case of competing against other people for places on the course, certainly not to the same level as at uni.

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In terms of expenditure be brutal. Never mind playing Sky and Virgin against each other, I've cut the TV altogether, right down to the licence going. iplayer, 4od, etc are wonderful things when your PC is hooked up to a good sized TV. Look at what you're watching that isn't prerecorded programming. I looked and found it was just the F1, and the BBC sold us out on half that (which is what prompted me to look) and decided £12 a month wasn't worth it, everything else I used to watch off Sky+ anyway so why not cancel the lot and download it or stream it for free the day after it was on TV (a few hours in the case of most stuff). That's saved me about £40 a month (licence, Sky and HD).

ellieellieellie

Richard019 wrote: »

In terms of expenditure be brutal. Never mind playing Sky and Virgin against each other, I've cut the TV altogether, right down to the licence going. iplayer, 4od, etc are wonderful things when your PC is hooked up to a good sized TV. Look at what you're watching that isn't prerecorded programming. I looked and found it was just the F1, and the BBC sold us out on half that (which is what prompted me to look) and decided £12 a month wasn't worth it, everything else I used to watch off Sky+ anyway so why not cancel the lot and download it or stream it for free the day after it was on TV (a few hours in the case of most stuff). That's saved me about £40 a month (licence, Sky and HD).

I'm sure you're doing that perfectly legally, but just a reminder for those who may be thinking of going down the same route: you can download and watch TV shows using BBC iPlayer etc for free, but if you're using their "Watch Live" feature, you still need a TV licence. I know it seems like a small thing, and it's easy to lie and tell the site you've got one, but paying for a TV licence is a lot cheaper than paying the fine if you get caught!

Callisto

I am currently unemployed and in my thirties. I considered going to University, but I would have needed to do an Access to Science course at college first or do the foundation year at Uni which would be four years altogether.

I found out that I could start with the Open University studying Environmental Science without any prior knowledge (I have GCSE science, but not A-level standard.) I started studying with them in October, and it will take six years to gain a degree this way. As I am in receipt of benefits, I did not have to pay any course fees for this year, and I received a grant to help towards the cost of study materials.

The Open University are introducing a new fee structure from September 2012, but there are still intakes available for some courses starting in Jan/Feb 2012. I don't know if they will continue to pay course fees for those in receipt of benefits after the new fees come in or if everyone will need to get a student loan. However for those already studying with the OU, we can continue on the previous payment structure, as long as the degree is completed within six years. The OU also offer short courses to give tasters of subjects.

I have been diagnosed with depression recently, and the studying is at least making me feel like I have some sort of purpose. I know several people have mentioned not to take job rejections personally, but sometimes life gets you down and you do take it personally!

Turquoise

Great to see the common sense/personal pride/resourcefulness here.

As a HR Manager, I found myself redundant earlier this year. The jobcentre weren't geared up to deal with professionals like myself - funnily enough the advisor there was asking my advise about the legality of his notice of termination of employment. So, if you're a professional and finding the jobcentre bit hard to swallow just smile and take it in your stride - it's not personal, they have a process which has to be followed even if it seems bonkers for you. I actually offered to run sessions for them on helping people with cvs etc

A few key things spring to mind:

get yourself on linkedin, make sure your profile is targeted to what you want to achieve. Many companies and recruiters are scouring linkedin and pick up on key words to find the experience they are looking for.

join groups and networks which might be outside of your specific field but match the environment you'd like to make contacts in.

do your research on local companies, read business pages etc this will help you identify employers who may be a good match for your skills and aspirations.

find innovative ways of making contact with the decision makers in companies you are targeting - just phoning them, sending an email or letter wont' work. As a HR manager I was drowning in these contacts and just didn't have time to consider them properly. I actually got my current job by figuring out free network/business events that the decision makers from my target company went to. i didn't introduce myself as looking for a job, just observed from a distance and discussed general issues but I did have some 'business cards' printed with my core skills and contact details for the occasions this would appropriate. When I felt my face was slightly known I then asked them to 'linkin' with me. From there I sent a very targeted email with my cv. Although the company I'm now working for didn't actually have a vacancy they agreed to see me based on my creative approach and my experience but after a few meetings they offered me a job.

Accept that it will take time to find a job. The best piece of advice I had was to get the best from this time by giving yourself a new 'job'. Get up for 'work', diarise your time - allocate time for research, time for job applications, time for networking, time to see recruiters etc. BUT also diarise time for things you wouldn't normally have time for .............. explore your local area, parks, libraries, see what activities and voluntary work is going on, time for reading (business to brush up knowledge and also pleasure), time for a new hobby these things keep you refreshed and your brain in positive mode. You WILL eventually find work but you won't want to look back on your 'time out' as constant job chasing - you should make the most of it. 1 month into my new job and I'm missing some of these positives which is strengthening my resolve to maintain a good work/life balance.

Hope this of help and wish all success in your endeavours

missunemployme

I have started reading a lot about unemployment (!) and I have found this to be seriously demotivating. Of all the forums I have trawled the past couple of days this one seems to have the most extensive and clear advice which is nice!

The only other thing I have done is start a blog
missunemployme (dot) blogspot (dot) com
which has helped me learn about all the support and the emotions I have gone through. It is both an interesting and challenging time.

I wish everyone all the luck finding work!

Misty7

After being unemployed for 18 months after graduating my son finally got a job, minimum wage and not what he studied for but at least its a job. He was getting interviews and taking all the advice offered. In the end he changed tactics, he took CV's to all the local companys and he altered the wording to appear desperate, the time had come to stop pretending. Anyway it worked and after less than a month he had a job, the response from many of the companys has been very good, he ended up having to turn down interviews and is still being contacted now, 4 months on. Also many have said they will keep him on file so maybe in the future when he has some experience under his belt he will get an offer he wants.

pv_susie

Hi I was unemployed for 18 months. My Mum persuaded me to volunteer with her at Uppark National Trust House and Garden. I did 2 days a week in the garden and loved it. Met great people, did some networking and got plenty of help looking for work etc. When I finally got a job, they told me I had the edge over the other people they interviewed because of the volunteering.
Sadly was made redundant 8 months after so went back to volunteering, but this time found another job within a month. Can't rate volunteering highly enough. For me gardening got me out in the fresh air in beautiful countryside with like-minded people who were totally stress-free and happy. It also got me fit, I lost weight, and I learnt a lot.
Try it out and see - National Trust, Forestry Commission and all sorts of other places accept volunteers.
Good luck!