I need a job....

RoseRed1234

I've been out of work for four years due to depression, which has been resolved for about 18 months now but I just can't get a job.

No one is interested in my experience, they just see a four year gap in my CV. Does anyone have any advice on what to do?

I'm going stir crazy stuck at home and I need more money that my benefits bring in.

Any advice would be appreciated.

stephent82

It will be difficult to get started again. Have you though about doing some voluntary work? This will help to fill out your CV and show any prospective employer that you are ready to work again. It will also help you blow away any cobwebs you may have.

I'm glad to hear that you are feeling better. I have had very minor depression in the past... and I can only imagine how terrible full blown depression is.

Red_Elle

You don't need to divulge why you've been away. Say you came into some money and took a career break to decide what you wanted to do long term. What sort of jobs are you applying for?

RoseRed1234

Depression certainly sucks a** whether it be minor or not. I'm glad you're back on the mend too though.

I've thought about voluntary work but it seems like a 'waste of time' to work for nothing....

Maybe I'm being too picky.

red_devil

its hard when you have been out the work place. There are lots of people trying for work and they have had previous experience. Sorry to be on downer but when you have been out the loop for a long time its very very hard.

RoseRed1234

Red_Elle wrote: »

You don't need to divulge why you've been away. Say you came into some money and took a career break to decide what you wanted to do long term. What sort of jobs are you applying for?

I'm applying for care work, it's all I've ever done really. Although I'm doing a Bookkeeping course through the OU to build up some new skills.

red_devil

voluntary work can be good for your cv etc but it does not guarantee work.

saintjammyswine

RoseRed1234 wrote: »

Depression certainly sucks a** whether it be minor or not. I'm glad you're back on the mend too though.

I've thought about voluntary work but it seems like a 'waste of time' to work for nothing....

Maybe I'm being too picky.

Definitely not a waste of time. I do a lot of work with Jobcentre Plus and Employers and the operations manager of a major employer told me yesterday that seeing voluntary work on a CV where there may otherwise be a gap shows that someone is willing to, and I quote, "get off their !!!! and do something useful with their time". Clearly not the case for you but it does show a certain attitude that will put you above others that have been out of the labour market for similar periods (and there are a lot of people).

Cherry_Bomb

What about being a HCA at your local hospital?
If there's no perm positions ring the bank office and see if they are recruiting. They may even use an outside provider like NHSP. They only require 6 months experience to join so should be well suited to you.

You can pick and choose your shifts so it's very flexible

**Juice**

I think if you've been out of work for such an amount of time - regardless of circumstance - you have to prove to an employer that they should hire you and I think that showing voluntary work, recently acquired new skills, previous experience would certainly be a benefit and show that you want to work.

TBH if I was out of work I'd do any job and any voluntary work that would help me to get a job. Have you sought advice from a job centre or similar?

PlutoinCapricorn

I would say that not only is voluntary work not a waste of time, it is also ideal for someone who needs to take things slowly and ease herself back into the world of work. I am speaking from personal experience here - it eventually led to a whole new career for me after I gained new skills at my own pace.

I put as much into it as I would if I had been paid, but the hours were shorter and there was less pressure as I was not being paid (apart from expenses), which was good as I was not feeling up to much.