Stuck in a massive rut. Some really good advice would be useful.

TrickyWicky

Hezzawithkids wrote: »

I don't know anything about the parking industry but is it possible that you might be carrying just a teensy-weensy chip on your shoulder that's stopping you breaking away? I get the feeling from some of your comments "companies simply don't even give you interviews once you've been in the parking sector" and "not around here". Just a thought....

More than a tiny chip, I've had the sort of life I wouldn't wish on anyone.. but that isn't work related. The lack of interviews comment was truthful. I've heard it from other parking colleagues in the past who have also struggled to escape. Parking simply has no credit with any employer out there except parking employers.

Tried Learndirect.. they told me to ring the local college (and I rang learndirect to ask them for help because the local college couldn't help ).

I'm not on any benefits so I literally have no income. My partner is keeping us both afloat and they work full time so I'm not even elegible for means tested benefits or financial help with courses.

@sweetilemon: I've thought about it but I'm in a sticky wicket... I have a legal agreement with one company (things didn't work out) and I'm not allowed to mention them in my previous employment OR the legal agreement. When the SIA go to do their vetting they'll find an irregularity and I won't get licensed. As I said in my previous post, it seems that working honestly doesn't pay.. they just like to screw you over.

To be honest I'd more than happily go work on the railways but thats impossible without a 4 year apprenticeship / degree with Notwork Fail involving 2 years living away (excuse the pessimism.. comes after years of abuse from the parking bosses) and the way the government are destroying those these days...

Mike_parsonnage

Hi mate , sorry i cannot give you any advice as im in the same position of not being able to get any permenante work . Im either too old (48) once that age you are like a dinoasur if the kind of work you are in goes abroad like mine did and you need to change carrers. I do work on a temp basis but this time of year it gets very slow ( no work this week ) . So today i went to sign on , what a deepley depressing thing that is . The place was mobbed there are no jobs in the job centre, i live in Essex and they were advertising jobs in Bournmouth. You get 20 minutes with a clerk who did not even say hello but just filled in form after form once i had sat down. Was trying to explain to him that some weeks i will get work and others i will not . He had little interest and told me I had to sign on next wednesday at 9 , was explaining to him that I cannot do that as i do have two days work next week and that is one of them . Got around that problem as they are on strike next week so my claim should happen ok.

They tell you you have to look for work ( but what work there are millions of us out here unemployed or semi employed ) I go through the job sites but what is the point of sending off your c.v. if you do not have the experience that they are looking for ?

I get depressed about the situation and do not know where it is going to end up JUST DO NOT KNOW WAHT IS GOING TO HAPPEN .

Ben84

One of the best things I did when stuck in a rut was volunteer in a charity shop (I know quite a few do pay reasonable travel allowances for bus or petrol). Truthfully I did it because I cared a bit about the cause and because I badly needed a good reference and some more work experience at the time. However, it turned out to be a really good choice. I got a good reference and used that to get a place on a course through which I hope to change career entirely. I also enjoyed it, I made some good friends I still catch up with often and learnt a lot about the second hand book trade. I was volunteering there for a lot longer than I expected to because I enjoyed it.

I'm not saying it will solve all these things for you, it may do more or less, but I'm pretty sure it would help with some things.

gardenia101

I don't have any "job" advice to give you, sorry, but I'm in a similar'ish position but because of a completely different situation (recent disability). I started a thread here & I got some very good comments from the helpful MSE'rs. It may give you (& others) some help as it comes from a slightly different angle.

The volunteering advice is very helpful. I wish you well.

t0rt0ise

I've heard this before about the parking industry. Young friend of mine worked in parking at a council offices and had the devil's own job getting out. She eventually moved to another department at the council but even they were suspicious of her and called her for an extra interview before taking her on. Very odd situation.

I do think the voluntary work is a good idea. If you worked at a charity shop say for a while you could then apply for paid jobs doing similar and hopefully the parking job will fade into the background.

paddyrg

Holiday parks. No, seriously, holiday parks. There is a huge range of jobs available, you can live on-site and get away from all the other drudgery bringing you down, and there are a lot of others in similar positions working hard and playing hard.

But the biggest reason is that they will TRAIN you. A friend from back in the parks left school at 16 and stayed in the industry - working his way up through all the departments, managing parks, etc., and lately running a budget of well over £10M, working all over the country, meeting loads of people, employing loads of staff. People will spot your potential and if you're prepared to graft, they will want to keep you. Bars, site, entertainment, security, sales, whatever - there are roles for all skills and interests, all times of the year, it's the commitment that counts.

You can thank me in a few years, I have just given you a full future ;-)

TrickyWicky

@paddyrg: There are none around here otherwise it sounds like a good idea.

@Mike P: Yes every ad I've looked at (even for cleaners) is experience required and I mean everything.

victor2

Quite a few people have said it - consider voluntary work.
There's organisations crying out for help. Choose something that you have a bit of knowledge about or would be interested in getting involved with and see what's available. It's not just charity shops, it can be youth clubs, organisations supporting the elderly, the disabled, or people who just want a little guidance in life. The time you give is entirely up to you. The reward you'll get is something money can't buy - a genuine appreciation from the people you have helped.

Yorkie1

Without wishing in any way to belittle or criticise your experiences or health situation, may I observe something? You have rejected all suggestions made, for varying reasons, except for the voluntary work suggestion which you've completely ignored. It may be that some or all of your reasons are valid, but I wonder whether you also are falling into a defeatist attitude which is coming across when you apply for or consider positions? It is very easy to get into a mindset when you receive knock after knock, particularly with a history of living with mental ill-health, and much harder to appreciate that the mindset is there / challenge it.

Beetlemama

That's just what I was thinking Yorkie, there's been a reason why everything wont work and no reason why anything will. I think OP needs to rethink how they feel about themselves.

OP I know you said you had some depression, but I think it might be more than you're acknowledging seeing as you can't see any light at all in the tunnel. Did you see the doc? If you have no family, then why not move to a holiday park and work there? surely with no job and no family there's nothing to keep you where you are currently is there? Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.