I need a job....

aliellen

Definatly Volunteer somewhere.

I was out of work for three years for exact same reasons, I know the feeling!

I hunted down a small company that needed help a few days a week.
I went in twice a week and helped them catch up on filing and paperwork and did it all voluntarily.

Get it on your CV straight away that you are doing unpaid work for however many hours. It looks great for prospective employers. Explain on your CV something like ... 'To improve job prospects I have begun an unpaid, voluntary position at..for ** hours a week and can provide references for this'.

I managed to make myself indispensable to the company and after being there 2 years am now office manager. I love my job and was worth the 6 months of unpaid work. Beg, plead and strut into any and all buildings and don’t ask for a job as most will reject you instantly, ask if they want free help a few hours a week.

Also look up any courses available and ask the job centre if there are any 'help agencies', I put both of them on my CV, a 'Self development course' to improve job prospects and my Computer qualification was free.

Good luck! I know it’s tough, fingers crossed for you.

EconomicsGirl

I would say do voluntary work in the field you want to get into. Many stay at home Mums do voluntary work before getting back into work. A course may also help. You are likely to be asked to explain the 4 year gap though and anything you did in that time would help like caring for children, elderly relatives, travelling. You don't need to do full-time voluntary work just enough to put on your CV, even 1 day a week would help. If it goes well they may offer you a job, if not it will impress other employers than you are willing to work for free. In a caring profession maybe you could say that the depression helped you understand what people go through and as you got better you wanted to help others do the same. Hope things get better for you and you get a job. Its not an easy market at the moment but you have to believe in yourself and you will get there.

wantsajob

Problem with voluntary work is travel expenses often does not cover all the costs of doing voluntary work. When you're already in a difficult financial position that's not exactly beneficial. Even then there's no guarantee of a job later.

It also reminds you that your time is not worth being paid for, not beneficial for mental health.

doodoot

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.

Yes, you are.

There are lots of organisations that can't afford to pay employees and rely on volunteers.

So instead of sitting at home feeling sorry for yourself because you can't get back on the employment ladder, get out there and do something to help others.

Then you will have something to get up for in the mornings, be doing something worthwhile and have less of a gap in your CV.

If you are lucky you may be offered a paid position, which has happened to a few of my friends.

(This comes from someone who was clinically depressed so understands what you've been through, is in their final year at Uni and volunteers at a Primary school.)

Yorkie1

wantsajob wrote: »

Problem with voluntary work is travel expenses often does not cover all the costs of doing voluntary work. When you're already in a difficult financial position that's not exactly beneficial. Even then there's no guarantee of a job later.

It also reminds you that your time is not worth being paid for, not beneficial for mental health.

I take your point about travel etc, but the highlighted comment sounds to me like only finding a negative side of volunteering.

By doing voluntary work the OP would get recent experience, a routine, new contacts, references, some control / structure back in her life. Absence of routine and control is far more harmful to mental health than dwelling on absence of payment for what is probably a really important role.

In a similar position I did some voluntary work in a church office to get me out of bed and to keep my confidence levels up a little, as well as keeping in an office routine ready for when I returned to work (long story). It made a huge difference.

cr1mson

Totally agree with Yorkie1. I have throughly enjoyed my voluntary work and it has opened a lot of doors for me now I am returning to work.

C

saintjammyswine

wantsajob wrote: »

Problem with voluntary work is travel expenses often does not cover all the costs of doing voluntary work. When you're already in a difficult financial position that's not exactly beneficial. Even then there's no guarantee of a job later.

It also reminds you that your time is not worth being paid for, not beneficial for mental health.

You could speak to your local JCP office as they may be able to help out with this.