Question:
Hi I’ve been out of work for almost 2 years – as before posts you see – eye operation dad dieing and now this. Thing is I don’t see any company taking me on due to the big gap in my CV. They would use the argument that my skills are not up to date etc. as I’ve seen happen in friends. I’ve got a big mortgage to pay, and I can see the bank taking the house off me if I cannot pay this. Any thoughts? Anth
Response:
Hi I’ve been out of work for almost 2 years – as before posts you see – eye operation dad dieing and now this. Thing is I don’t see any company taking me on due to the big gap in my CV. They would use the argument that my skills are not up to date etc. as I’ve seen happen in friends. I’ve got a big mortgage to pay, and I can see the bank taking the house off me if I cannot pay this. Any thoughts?
Yes, that’s a scary one, isn’t it? Returning to work. I haven’t worked since November, 2002, but will be returning on Monday, albeit to a different job. The one I’d held previously was very stressful, long hours, and I don’t want to do it any more. My manager has arranged for me to do project work, and has told me I can work at home, and work the hours that suit me best while I’m in and out of treatment. I’m very lucky. (also, employers in BC are required to accommodate cancer patients while they’re in treatment, but my boss has gone above and beyond). One of the things I’d recommend is incorporating the skills required to care for your mom into your CV, and show how they’re applicable in the work force. This is something that women returning to work frequently do- show how their skills as a home-maker translate into skills that employers want. If you want some ideas on specific skills, e-mail me, and we can work on it. Michele
Response:
Hi I’ve been out of work for almost 2 years – as before posts you see – eye operation dad dieing and now this. Thing is I don’t see any company taking me on due to the big gap in my CV. They would use the argument that my skills are not up to date etc. as I’ve seen happen in friends. I’ve got a big mortgage to pay, and I can see the bank taking the house off me if I cannot pay this. Any thoughts? Anth
Hi Anth, First, job related. 1) Set your goals and identify the type of job and employers you’d want to work for. Research them so you can speak intelligently to them about their company during an interview or on paper. (cover and thank you letter, after an interview) 2) Compile a Personal Inventory (make a list of your qualifications, skills, experiences, and personal qualities to determine what you have to offer an employer right now. Write everything you can think of down. Then copies of all certificates, diplomas, and degrees you’ve earned, scholarships, awards, courses, workshops and conferences you’ve attended, letters of recommendation, volunteer positions, list of organizations you belong to, lisrt of employers, names of supervisors, dates of employment, job descriptions, dates of promotions, and detailled salary records. Also list the less tangible attributes: imagine that your best friend is describing you to someone you haven’t met: qualities and examples. 3) Information Interviews (appointments with potential employers for the express purpose of gathering data). They help to :learn about job opportunities that exist in your field, learn about compainies and their criteria for hiring, demonstrate "employee potential", shows initiative, enthusiasm for your field and their company, good communication skills , have some prepared questions, half-an hour at the most, ask them what they like about working for the company. It’s a way to get your name out there and also possibly get other ideas for other companies. Sometimes they have brochures in their waiting rooms, and names of other companies they collaborate with. Take notes. 4) job marketing campaign: direct mail, newspaper advertisements, door-door, placement office, tell everyone you speak to that you are looking for a job in case anyone happens ot know of one, keep records of who you contacted, when etc. Writing a resume (CV): There are 3 kinds: Chronological Format Functional Resume (CV) Format Combination Format The chronological format would show a 2-year gap, but very explainable with your eye surgery, you dad’s death and now caring for your mother, but at a glance, if you prefer the person scanning CV’s not to see the gap, the functional might be the better one (or the combination one). The functional is organized according to skills and qualifications and major accomplishments. What you have to offer the employer. (rather than the focus being on the length of service). This one, depending on which company you are applying to, you move qualifications up to the top of importance. So you make a master with the whole list, and then for each application (to each company), put the qualifications and skills that you think they’d most be interested in. Sometimes the adverts tell you more about that. There are books at the library to help you with this. The one I have is called Business Communication (Strategies and Skills), but it’s a Canadian Book. There are sample resumes, cover letters and thank you letters. The above is just a quick summary of what you’ll need to get started. Perhaps a bit later, you can find your way to an evening course, of interest. It also looks good on a CV. J
Response:
Hi I’ve been out of work for almost 2 years – as before posts you see – eye operation dad dieing and now this. Thing is I don’t see any company taking me on due to the big gap in my CV. They would use the argument that my skills are not up to date etc. as I’ve seen happen in friends. I’ve got a big mortgage to pay, and I can see the bank taking the house off me if I cannot pay this. Any thoughts? Anth
Life can be devastating at times, and you are really getting pounded. I know about ten people who have committed suicide in the past few years. That is =not= the answer……. All I can advise you to do is take one thing at a time. Right now, your Mam needs you most. When she is gone, then worry about the house and job. Make what payments you can and ask the bank for more time. You may find an understanding bloke who’ll see things your way…. CAT
Response:
we in Holland can just stay sick and get full pay for 3 years. Afteer that (for me May 6th) invalid pension of 70%. You get that when you cannot come to work and stay there for 4 hours independently of a helper. (radiation gave me a bad case of emphesyma on top of asthma and fibromyalgia. No tumors left but still yje side effects of Iressa might kill me, bur at least I can do it luxurioous<SG )
No tumors left? e-mail me if you prefer (I e-mailed you as you requested, but never heard back). J
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I’ve been out of work for almost 2 years – as before posts you see – eye operation dad dieing and now this. Thing is I don’t see any company taking me on due to the big gap in my CV. They would use the argument that my skills are not up to date etc. as I’ve seen happen in friends. I’ve got a big mortgage to pay, and I can see the bank taking the house off me if I cannot pay this. Any thoughts? Yes, that’s a scary one, isn’t it? Returning to work. I haven’t worked since November, 2002, but will be returning on Monday, albeit to a different job. The one I’d held previously was very stressful, long hours, and I don’t want to do it any more. My manager has arranged for me to do project work, and has told me I can work at home, and work the hours that suit me best while I’m in and out of treatment. I’m very lucky. (also, employers in BC are required to accommodate cancer patients while they’re in treatment, but my boss has gone above and beyond). One of the things I’d recommend is incorporating the skills required to care for your mom into your CV, and show how they’re applicable in the work force. This is something that women returning to work frequently do- show how their skills as a home-maker translate into skills that employers want. If you want some ideas on specific skills, e-mail me, and we can work on it. Michele
we in Holland can just stay sick and get full pay for 3 years. Afteer that (for me May 6th) invalid pension of 70%. You get that when you cannot come to work and stay there for 4 hours independently of a helper. (radiation gave me a bad case of emphesyma on top of asthma and fibromyalgia. No tumors left but still yje side effects of Iressa might kill me, bur at least I can do it luxurioous<SG ) — I tried sniffing Coke once, but the ice cubes got stuck in my nose. Rian
Response:
I’ve been out of work for almost 2 years – as before posts you see – eye operation dad dieing and now this. Thing is I don’t see any company taking me on due to the big gap in my CV. They would use the argument that my skills are not up to date etc. as I’ve seen happen in friends. I’ve got a big mortgage to pay, and I can see the bank taking the house off me if I cannot pay this. Any thoughts?
Hi Anth, If both you and your mother were contributing to the mortgage, perhaps you’ll have to downsize? Renegotiate the mortgage? Make a budget of your income and expenses. You might be able to get some temporary assistance (Disability Living Allowance ) http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/default.asp If a psychologist or psychiatrist were to interview you and see how much stress you are and have been under – for depression and post-traumatic stress. This would/could give you the time to recover and start your job search, sort out how you’ll manage financially and/or what changes are required. http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/handbook/severedepressivedisorder.asp v) Another form of depression is usually associated with an obvious cause (eg. bereavement, redundancy, failed marriage etc) and this form is usually a much milder illness. It is referred to as mild depressive disorder or reactive depression or neurotic depression Usually this is a mild depressive disorder but in some people with reactive depression individual responses to major adverse life events can precipitate more severe forms of depressive illness. [See paragraphs 19.7.7]. Physical symptoms (eg poor appetite, weight loss, constipation, loss of sex drive) occur to a varying extent in mild depressive disorder, but are commonly much less severe than in people with severe depressive disorder, and care and mobility needs are not usually present. The other idea that comes to mind, is if UK has a retraining program. Here they’re out of the Employment Centre, one has to go and make inquiries and have an idea what type of retraining you’d want. I don’t know if this is the correct one, it has a Help with Training option http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/cms.asp?Page=/Home/Customers There may also be Welfare in UK (don’t know), just temporary until you get steadier on what you can do and will do. HTH J
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