Pregnant and job hunting

jbbonce

Hi

I hope the following makes sense to you, My brain is not up to much these days.

I am 13 weeks pregnant (hurray! 2nd Trimester finally!) and looking for some work, but I don't know what I can do. I just finished my English degree last week and need to work for at least 12 more weeks before the baby comes in order to quality for Maternity Allowance, and I need to earn about £125 per week to get the max amount.

I am already starting to show, so i need to find some work within the next couple of weeks, but i have no idea what i can do. I've been at uni for 3 years so have no recent experience in anything expect administration and research type summer jobs but I really feel that anything office based would be too much for me as i have severe baby brain and i don't think any one would keep me on for more than a couple of hours in my current state.

The obvious thing that springs to mind is retail, but obviously i cant do any heavy lifting, i have no recent experience and I am sceptical as to whether they would employ a graduate anyway.

I live in the grim midlands so there is no seasonal work as such, my husband isn't happy having me working in a bar or factory and I dont know anyone who can employ me as a favour so I am stuck for ideas and it is stressing me out.

it would be great if anyone could fling a few suggestions at me for suitable jobs. I would prefer not to lie to my prospective employers if possible.

thanks very much
jbbonce

tigtag02

I would suggest temping - especially if you have admin experience.

Dig out your yellow pages in the morning and ring them all - I'll be surprised if you dont spend the next 12 weeks working - it may be here, there and everywhere but it'll do for what you need.

Good Luck
tigtag
x

EDIT TO SAY: Congrats on both the pregnancy and quitting the weed :)

Justie

admin temping would be a good place to start it may be that you're not there long enough for them to notice the baby brain

The other obvious thing is going on the till at the local supermarket - not glamorous or anything but may serve you well and hours can be flexible to make the most of your good times of day.

poe.tuesday

an old mate of mine started up her own business whilst she was pregnant, it was doing spanish lessons for an after school club, she get up a web site and did one lesson or two lessons a week, she did this until she was about 8 months pregnant and then went onto maternity pay from the government, I never quite understood how she managed it but it seemed like she got lots from the government without doing very much work

pinkshoes

I would take any work you can get whatsoever if it means you'll get SMP!!

Register with a temping agency, maybe consider taking your degree off your CV so that they don't think you're over qualified. Most companies I know of require you to let them know you're pregnant before the 15th week before your due date, so you technically wouldn't have to tell a company you're pregnant... Luckily those floaty tops are in fashion now, so I wouldn't worry about showing.

Factory work isn't so bad!! especially if you can get day shift!

spoilt_BUT_appreciate_it

It's really sweet that your husband isn't over keen on you working in a bar or factory... but if you're sitting on some kind of production line packing boxes then at least you're not standing all day in a clothes shop in town or having to stand behind the counter in Mcdonalds.

Tesco till assistants are usually sat still but I'd imagine they would train you up on the till until your probational period was over.

silvercar

Have you thought of teaching? If you found a post in a private school or in further education you wouldn't need a post grad teaching certificate. You could also think of becoming a teaching assistant. If you could find a permenant post it would mean that you would count as being employed over the summer holidays without having to work. You could then float into work in September with a surprise bump and then find your dates were wrong and breeze out again after a short time.

spoilt_BUT_appreciate_it

sorry ... it's usually 3 months (12 weeks)

I know you said you don't want to lie BUT the question shouldn't even come up unless you really are showing...however, some of us girls give it away by the way we walk with on hand in front of the tummy area...

I'm not sure if this is because we're self conscious and think we're getting fat or if perhaps we're protecting our unborn... anyway the point is hands to your side not in front with your bag as a shield or for example what I use to do was grab a sofa cushion when ever I went round someone's house SILLY I KNOW

MoaningMyrtle

How about exam marking/invigilating exams?

Fruit picking?

Becles

Just checking: have you done any recent work? You need to have been working for 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your due date to claim maternity allowance.

nats3006

Congratulations!!!