Struggling to Look for Work

[Oliver Hardy]

I need some advice.

I looked after an elderly relative for a few years, had to leave a reasonably well paid job. I have a degree in IT (which I didn't think I could get back into) and a HGV with all the shortages I thought I would be OK with getting work.

When my relative passed away I applied for my HGV, had some blood pressure issues, DVLA took 10 months to ask my specialist if I was OK to drive and when they issued me with a licence I struggled to get work, being told I am being considered a new pass.

I started working in July, worked August, september, my reversing was sometimes off but I got there. Went on a holiday end September and haven't worked since!

I had all these plans, worked hard in October, November, December. take some time off in January and February. go skiing, go to Portugal for a month, now i can't do that.

I am seriously struggling with motivation now and i am looking to get out of it.

In my head I am still fine, but struggle to get up and when it comes to applying for jobs I find excuses to put it off

Advice anyone?

[Sheets Tabuer]

Have you considered you're in the wrong job?

You have a wanderlust, go be a holiday rep

[SAS Tom]

Are you only applying for full time permanent jobs?

Can’t imagine many agencies struggling to find work for you. It’ll be different places and probably crap jobs/hours but it’ll get you working again.

[Taita]

Get down an agency / haulage temp firm.

Amazon / DPD / Couriers all maxxed out etc.

Supermarket driving?

[simon_harris]

Honestly I think you just need to have a bit of a word with yourself, the best way to get motivated is to crack on a do whatever it is you are not motivated to do. Accept you don't want to do it and do it anyway and the motivation will follow.

where in the country are you? everyone I know in IT are crying out for people so I'd be surprised if you couldn't get back into it if you wanted to.

[adamfawsitt]

Focus your attention on IT, even if you take a relatively junior position with hard work and a good attitude you will quickly be earning multiples of what you could ever earn driving an HGV.

[Greenmantle]

Hi Ollie

Similar to what a couple of others have said on here I think you are in a great position to get work.
IT & HGV, both sectors crying out for people.
Enjoy the Xmas break and then crack on in the New Year.
Best of Luck.

[Oliver Hardy]

SAS Tom said:

Are you only applying for full time permanent jobs?

Can’t imagine many agencies struggling to find work for you. It’ll be different places and probably crap jobs/hours but it’ll get you working again.

I think I have registered with every single driving agency in my area. I have offered to work nights, weekends but still I get nothing, I have even regestered to work in Northern Sweden but not heard back. The only thing I don't want to do is travel miles to the job.

adamfawsitt said:

Focus your attention on IT, even if you take a relatively junior position with hard work and a good attitude you will quickly be earning multiples of what you could ever earn driving an HGV.

You think? I have recently finished a computer installation course, it was quite basic , well very basic, got taken on by an agency but again heard nothing back. I quite liked the idea of trucking again, doing two three months of work, taking a month or so off.

But I am 59 nearly, I can't write it, - - you know the number, apart from high blood pressure in good condition.

[Oliver Hardy]

simon_harris said:

Honestly I think you just need to have a bit of a word with yourself, the best way to get motivated is to crack on a do whatever it is you are not motivated to do. Accept you don't want to do it and do it anyway and the motivation will follow.

where in the country are you? everyone I know in IT are crying out for people so I'd be surprised if you couldn't get back into it if you wanted to.

I know, I know, yet I am finding it increasingly hard, I will apply in the morning, I apply this afternoon, and my mind it telling me stupid do it now, yet I am struggling. Wasn't that hard a few weeks ago

I might buy my own truck.

[Chicken Chaser]

You need a bit of structure. Sounds like being off and not having anything to get up for is causing malaise.

If I was you, and assume you don't have kids etc, then I'd look to set a time to wake up, put an alarm on and get up at the same time. Walk out from the house for half an hour and then come back in and start the day. You'll get into a routine and find that once you're up and moving, other things will slot into place.

[soad]

/\
That is good advice.

[seabod91]

Sounds like depression to me. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety around 6 years ago now. Very common to really not get into anything, including work, although I have never left work. You have then days, weeks, even months where your brain is scrambled and you think “will sort it tomorrow” but you never do. As said above set a routine and try and get some exercise in as that helped me a lot, although I’m in a dip again and have been drinking 2 months straight. You just need to go for it. I have often woke up in the past and thought “I can’t do this job anymore, I’m going to get another job today” and quite often I have got into a position of getting a job that very day. I will stop ranting but I know how it feels OP. You just need to wake up and say to yourself “today is the day”.

[MadCaptainJack]

Sounds like you need the job-hunting equivalent of a personal trainer / drill sergeant.

[MBVitoria]

seabod91 said:

Sounds like depression to me. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety around 6 years ago now. Very common to really not get into anything, including work, although I have never left work. You have then days, weeks, even months where your brain is scrambled and you think “will sort it tomorrow” but you never do. As said above set a routine and try and get some exercise in as that helped me a lot, although I’m in a dip again and have been drinking 2 months straight. You just need to go for it. I have often woke up in the past and thought “I can’t do this job anymore, I’m going to get another job today” and quite often I have got into a position of getting a job that very day. I will stop ranting but I know how it feels OP. You just need to wake up and say to yourself “today is the day”.

[bongtom]

Go the Yellow pages (or whatever the equivalent is online!) and ring local haulage companies or if you are feeling brave just do some old fashioned door knocking and ask if they need drivers. Never speak to other drivers always speak to the owner or transport manager.

If they tell you they use agency drivers then ask which ones they use.

It'll get you out the house and your blood and mind active and they will be impressed by your tenacity.

[Dr Jekyll]

adamfawsitt said:

Focus your attention on IT, even if you take a relatively junior position with hard work and a good attitude you will quickly be earning multiples of what you could ever earn driving an HGV.

Only if you have experience in using skills that are in demand. I know plenty of people with decades of experience struggling to crack £50K. Someone else I knew was out of work for over a year before finding a contract at £22 an hour. He's spent his free time learning .net and related skills, but of course he didn't have experience so couldn't get a job using them.

[Sogra]

seabod91 said:

Sounds like depression to me. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety around 6 years ago now. Very common to really not get into anything, including work, although I have never left work. You have then days, weeks, even months where your brain is scrambled and you think “will sort it tomorrow” but you never do. As said above set a routine and try and get some exercise in as that helped me a lot, although I’m in a dip again and have been drinking 2 months straight. You just need to go for it. I have often woke up in the past and thought “I can’t do this job anymore, I’m going to get another job today” and quite often I have got into a position of getting a job that very day. I will stop ranting but I know how it feels OP. You just need to wake up and say to yourself “today is the day”.

I agree although I am not sure the “Snap out of it” approach works for everyone. A few views, first go and see the doctor and tell him that is the start. Getting some control back really helps. On the job front your age is against you, I am a similar age, they won’t tell you that’s the problem because they can’t but it doesn’t stop it happening.

Truck dealers and haulage repair often looking for someone who has a HGV license for transporting and delivery but also for cleaning vehicles given how scarce HGV technicians are now they will pay someone a little older maybe at a lower rate and keep the tech on the tools. Maybe offer yourself on a freelance basis.

Good luck

[Steve_H80]

It sounds like depression to me too, go have a chat with your doctor. He'll most likely offer you some antidepressants, they will take a week or two to kick in but will give you the head space to get out of the current rut.
There are jobs out there in IT and trucking so you are in a better place than many others even if you cansee it at the moment.