I have lost my job...what am i going to do!!?

Question

I am a single mum, and i work full time, and have 2 kids.

I am at breaking point today, as i went for a staff meeting today, and all us staff were told that they are closing the place on Wednesday, so we will all be out of a job!

What on earth am i going to do!!? I have 2 kids to support, and don't want to end up on benefits!

I have always been proud of the fact that i have ambition, and don't want to sit around on my bum claiming benefits if there are jobs to be had.

I went on the job centre plus website as soon as i got home from the meeting, only to find that there are only 4 jobs in my area, and i am not able to do any of them, as they want weekend and night workers, and i cant get anyone to look after the kids at those times, as the local childcare only do 8-6 mon-fri!!

Please help me! I know there is not much that you can do, but a few words of support would be lovely!

Answer 1

You're probably panicking now, because it's only just happened, but there may be more jobs available in a week's time.

I lost my job a few years ago and I panicked because I was single with a huge mortgage.  Also, I had already been looking for another job, and found nothing.  But after I lost my job, I pulled out all the stops to find another.  I looked in the trade papers and applied for everything remotely suitable.   I also looked in all the local papers, which is not where I expected to find that type of job, but it was the local papers where I eventually found my new job a month later.

So try every avenue.  As well as the papers, ask friends and relatives if they know of anything, since many jobs are filled by word of mouth.  You could also try contacting companies' HR departments directly.  In a month's time you could have found something.

In my personal experience, the job centre is a waste of time, but keep checking it just in case.

Good luck, and I agree with the other people who answered saying that you should not feel guilty about claiming benefits in this situation.  That's what they're there for.  

Answer 2

don't worry something will turn up you have a positive attitude and a good employment record

my daughter is also a single parent and has a similar attitude to yourself and she always manages to work out any problems

why don't you try looking at jobs in a different field ?

Answer 3

Looks like you need to be on benefits until you can find a new job....you know thats whats benefits are for.  You pay a bunch of the money to the government so in case something like this happens, they can support you until you get on your feet.   You really need to apply right away because sometimes you dont get money right off.  Dont feel ashamed to accept the benefits...I mean its YOUR money you paid into the government.   I mean, if your house burned down would you not ask for money from the insurance company or would you be ashamed?  its the same thing...you pay into something, you should get something out of it when you need it.

Answer 4

How refreshing to hear from a single mum of two thats not a benefit leech.Dont feel bad about claiming benefits ,sounds as if thats the only option for you  at present.I cant see you being out of work for long with your obvious enthusiasm and willingness to work.You will find that the job centre can be very helpful in retraining courses which are free to you while you are seeking work.Dont happen overnight,but could be one of the best things that have happened to you.Good luck.

Answer 5

Register with an employment agency asap. Spend a few hours over the holidays typing up a CV then first thing tuesday take it to all the agencies in your town. They will be far better at finding a new job for you than anybody could on their own.

Answer 6

I agree with Mr Bad Boy. Register with an employment agency and do some temping while you look for a permanent job. I hear Manpower UK is a good agency. Just go to this website and find a branch nearest to where you live: https://portalqa.manpower.com/wps/portal...

Good luck!

And btw, if you have to claim benefits while the employment agency finds you work, then don't feel bad about it.

Answer 7

We first i admire you, for not wanting to take benefits. well done you gained my respect with that one sentence.

i recommend that you check the daily newspaper, go to job centres check websites, ask people locally if they can help.

try this site:http://www.simplyhired.com/

And... finnaly Don't panic am sure you will be in employment soon.

Answer 8

Claire, i'm so sorry about your situation, i have been there too... and unfortunately i had to sign on for 6 months and hated it !

I completely understand that you might feel a bit lost and out of  place right now, but trust me, this just happened to you and right now you need to absorb that and give it a couple of days...it's a huge change.

Don't wait for the job centre to get you a job, contact friends, family, even former work colleagues and ask them if they are aware of any jobs.

Also, local press, internet and maybe even print out your CV and hand it in in whatever place you think you could work, that's how i found my job 2 years ago.

Good luck and try to stay positive, this is a stone in your way but you will make it !

Answer 9

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Do you belong to a church? They may have an office assistant job available. Ask friends and family if they know of anyone hiring. Also will your job be providing a severance pay? If not you can always consider a home based business.

Answer 10

Since you haven't said where you live, we don't know your situation.

But first order of business, as someone said, is to draft a resume.

Think in terms of skills & experience demonstrated, not just a "job".

Your level of education is another key factor to develop.

Very often those skills are transferable to other fields.

In Canada, we have public job counselling services available.

They will help people draft resumes & research job possibilities.

The best jobs are not the ones listed, you also need to network.

Talk to your friends & family acquaintances about opportunites.

Don't let pride prevent you accepting benefits either.

They are put in place by government (us) to help each other.

Answer 11

I've been on your position and can empathise.  without knowing  your skills and interests it's not easy to give specific advice.

I would get my CV updated and send it out to local businesses, they may not have jobs advertised but you never know, also go to recruiting agencies, they know what jobs are going and they will find you a better paid ob than the job centres can. Employment agencies can be useful, they will have jobs doing maternity cover etc which are short to medium term, and if a company likes you they will keep you and cut out the agency fees.

Good luck, and don't let it get you down, this is an opportunity to do something better!

Answer 12

Nothing wrong with claiming benefits for a short while if you have some downtime between jobs, after all you have been paying taxes all along.

Another job will come along and you'll look back on this.

Definitely register with the recruitment agencies.

Lots of people have been in this position in the past and it has worked out in the end. Maintain an upbeat attitude at interviews.