Job hunting is proving so stressful

Toomuchdebt

blondebubbles wrote: »

I understand what you're saying about not wanting to change the kids school after your separation but surely it would make things so much easier?

They'd be at school with their siblings, you'd be able to use a childminder/after school club as you said the current issue with that is two schools. That would then free you up from 9.15 (ish) to 5 each day, plus evenings and weekends. Childminders in my area are starting to do evenings and weekends more often as they know that's what people need.

I was brought up by a single parent. Was dropped off at a family members at 8 and went to after school club til 6 ever day. Never done me any harm and was still able to do other activities later in the evening.

The only issue with that is that the schools near me are dreadful-you wouldn't want to send your children to them.one is in special measures and the other is on "requires improvement".I actually wish I'd stayed in my previous house(been in this one for 2 years only and wish I'd not taken it) as the school near the old house has improved a lot and is now outstanding.I am actually hoping to get a house swap but no luck so far-I'd move back into private rented if I had a job. There aren't any childminders here that do evenings yet-not registered ones anyway and I'd need to use registered ones for tax credits wouldn't I?If my parents were younger they'd help out. I think my age doesn't help either-I'm almost 44 which isn't ancient but obviously not young anymore. I know in Boots they kept on a lot of the under 25 year olds after Christmas last year. And the over 55's with grown up children.

Toomuchdebt

Flyonthewall wrote: »

If experience is an issue then perhaps look into volunteering.

It sounds as though something has to change, unless you happen to be lucky enough to find a job with the right hours.

I understand you want the kids to be able to do activities, but if them dropping activities will really help you get a job then perhaps it is worth considering. What's better long term? An activity can always be picked up again in the future, it's not the end of the world. Not having a job is surely going to have a much bigger and more negative impact on you and the kids than missing an activity or two.

The jobcentre told me that if I volunteered I had to let them know as it would affect my benefits??

NewShadow

Toomuchdebt wrote: »

The jobcentre told me that if I volunteered I had to let them know as it would affect my benefits??

As long as you're still looking for work and able to take up that work with 24/48 hours notice, it won't effect your benefit.

But you should tell your job centre - and tell them about any expenses you get paid.

Armorica

In a more practical and constructive tone:
- Entering competitions (sitting down, at home, may win cash prizes/stuff you can sell)
- various kinds of online/phone operators (e.g. a friend works in the evening as an online host for one of the bingo sites)
- ask the schools if they have any jobs available e.g. receptionist / classroom assistant etc. hours would be most likely to suit (but dinner lady is obviously out!)
- try again for shop work, particularly local, independent retailers - may be happy with you working for a few hours in the middle of the day, or weekends only (does your ex have them at the weekend??) - albeit wages unlikely to be particularly high, but with honesty, may not mind you sitting on a stool etc. when not serving customers
- explore the parts of the forum with working from home type discussions

Flyonthewall

Toomuchdebt wrote: »

The jobcentre told me that if I volunteered I had to let them know as it would affect my benefits??

Yeah, it can affect it if you do too many hours. Some advisors can be funny about volunteering for some reason and the JC often don't give you all the information regarding volunteering unless it suits them (i.e. "volunteering is good, volunteer 20+ hours for the JC for a few weeks, we have a high success rate of people finding work after").

If you just do a few hours a week it should not affect your benefits and it'll be good work experience and a reference (if needed).

I'd suggest seeing what volunteer places/jobs you can find and then inform the job centre if you find a volunteer job you'd like to do. If they're funny about it state the hours so they know it's not full time and point out the positives (much needed experience, reference etc).

Toomuchdebt

blondebubbles wrote: »

So why not send all kids to the better school? Yes must be registered/approved childcare provider.

The 6 and 4 year old are in primary school. The 14 and 11 year old are in secondary school which doesn't have a 6th form and that's the only school they can go to as we're not in the catchment area for any other secondary school. My eldest is at 6th form at the 3rd school-it was the only one she was offered a place at. So they can't all go to the better school as it's only up to age 11.

Toomuchdebt

Armorica wrote: »

In a more practical and constructive tone:
- Entering competitions (sitting down, at home, may win cash prizes/stuff you can sell)
- various kinds of online/phone operators (e.g. a friend works in the evening as an online host for one of the bingo sites)
- ask the schools if they have any jobs available e.g. receptionist / classroom assistant etc. hours would be most likely to suit (but dinner lady is obviously out!)
- try again for shop work, particularly local, independent retailers - may be happy with you working for a few hours in the middle of the day, or weekends only (does your ex have them at the weekend??) - albeit wages unlikely to be particularly high, but with honesty, may not mind you sitting on a stool etc. when not serving customers
- explore the parts of the forum with working from home type discussions

Have looked for online/phone things but so far have not found any except sex lines which obviously I'm not going to do
I have looked at schools but they all require starting before 9am which again raises the problem of childcare-sadly there isn't a vacancy at the primary school.
That's a good idea with the smaller shops-I will go round town on Monday and see what I can find.Weekends are difficult-the older children go to their Dad's every other weekend. The younger 2 go to their Dad's Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon-but only when he feels like it so about once a month.
I would be happy to work from home if it was computer based-I don't have the storage space to sell anything from home-plus I'd be worried about the dogs getting into it and ruining things.
Entering competitions isn't something I can use as an official job sadly-I need to have at least 16 hours for working tax credit and preferably 25 as that would help a lot financially.I could pay off my awful car and get one that is cheaper to run and we could move house(no money for a deposit etc)

Toomuchdebt

blondebubbles wrote: »

Sorry hadn't clicked with the ages, was thinking 11 was still at primary and we don't have a separate 6th form in Scotland.

No she just started year 7, and as for the eldest if their school carried on after age 16 she would have just stayed on there, but it's one of the only schools here that doesn't continue after age 16.Last year was easier with only 2 schools to get to and the older ones walked so I could take my younger ones to school and as my then 10 year old was in year 6 I was allowed to leave her plus the 2 little ones in the playground and she would take my then 3 year old to playgroup(attached to the school) and I would go off to work.

Toomuchdebt

Flyonthewall wrote: »

Yeah, it can affect it if you do too many hours. Some advisors can be funny about volunteering for some reason and the JC often don't give you all the information regarding volunteering unless it suits them (i.e. "volunteering is good, volunteer 20+ hours for the JC for a few weeks, we have a high success rate of people finding work after").

If you just do a few hours a week it should not affect your benefits and it'll be good work experience and a reference (if needed).

I'd suggest seeing what volunteer places/jobs you can find and then inform the job centre if you find a volunteer job you'd like to do. If they're funny about it state the hours so they know it's not full time and point out the positives (much needed experience, reference etc).

Thank you I'll keep an eye out-I have seen a few volunteering jobs but they were either driving or shop work, neither of which are going to help me. What I need is experience as a receptionist/admin person. Learn direct have said that they will enquire as to whether I can do some work experience with them for 2 weeks so as to be able to put that on my CV.

Flyonthewall

Toomuchdebt wrote: »

Thank you I'll keep an eye out-I have seen a few volunteering jobs but they were either driving or shop work, neither of which are going to help me. What I need is experience as a receptionist/admin person. Learn direct have said that they will enquire as to whether I can do some work experience with them for 2 weeks so as to be able to put that on my CV.

No problem. I'd recommend checking out http://www.do-it.org.uk/search/opportunities for volunteer positions. Great site.