Struggling with job search

[MissJ94]

Ive been unemployed for almost four months now. Im a registered nurse, ive gone for so many interviews and still no job.

I have bills and debts piling up and have no way of paying them. My centrelink payments leave me with about $300 for the fortnight after rent is paid which is supposed to go towards petrol, food, phone/internet, water, electricity, medications and then the bills i have had to get extensions on and afterpay/zippay(so i could actually have a present for my family members next saturday). I didnt want to use afterpay/zippay but i had no other choice, i couldnt have just got nothing for Christmas, i have a 10 year old, it probably would have killed me more than him if he got nothing for Christmas...

I might have a job coming up but thats still at least a week or two away, i only completed the pre-employment checks today after a positive interview earlier this week. So ill still have no money coming in until January.

I didnt want to be in this position! I hate being in this position! I cant ask anyone for money because mum has already helped me out too much and i have no other family or friends that can help.

I wish i hadnt been harassed at my previous job, i wish i was still working i wish i could work fulltime hours but my bipolar prevents me from that due to the effects of the medication(extreme exhaustion). I wish i could be in a position to say i live comfortably, that one day i might be well off enough to buy a house.

All i can think of now to help is attempting to withdraw some of my super. Its the only way i can think of that would help right now.

[geoff]

Hello MissJ94, this time of the year can put a great deal of stress on people, especially when you're looking for a job and wanting to make our loved ones happy by giving them a present.

You can apply to Centrelink for $1000 in advance, which you pay off, this may help you and you could probably do it on MyGov.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[A2D2]

Hi MissJ94. I can hear that you are struggling right now and the time of year is amplifying and multiplying the difficulties and the feelings you have to deal with.

But, when I kept reading, I realised you are strong too because you have attained a degree in nursing, raised a child for a decade, survived a toxic workplace and done it all while managing an invisible illness that can turn your life upside down in a heartbeat.

The Centrelink loan is a great step to ease the financial pressure this month and if your illness is under control, can you do some agency work for a while? I realise it might be challenging to get someone to look after your son but being a fill in can be quite rewarding because everyone is so happy to have the extra pair of hands.

Hang in for a few more weeks. You have come so far. You can do this.

Re-focus your attentions. Enjoy this free time instead of beating yourself up for not achieving what you think others expect of you (which is what most of us do at Christmas). Instead, make plans to do things with your child and really connect with them while you are home. This time might even be a gift before you get back to work life.

[A2D2]

Just wanted to add, if you haven't already, get yourself placed with a disability employment services provider instead of a mainstream one. I found they have a little more understanding of the impacts a mental health issue can have on your job search and the ones in my area at least have more respect for the clients. They will continue to support you after you find work and can sometimes access additional employer incentives to help you into the workplace.

[MissJ94]

An advance payment would have been my go to for a situation like this but theyre telling me i have a debt so cant apply. I cant even get the evidence i need to make that debt go away because i need to pay to get my academic transcript, cant even pay to get that!

[MissJ94]

Ive tried to get agency work but its taken so long. One agency wasnt happy that i already had 4 doses of the heb B vaccine and bloods show i have immunity to it but still not happy wanting my dr to write a letter and the dr says its completely unnecessary to write a letter because i have the evidence already, that was 2 months worth of going back and forth with this very well known nursing agency. Another one wanted to send me hours away for work but thats not really possible for me. Others ive applied for, they havent got back to me yet.

[MissJ94]

I already am with a disability employment agency.. but they havent been much help. The lady i first spoke to was great and sounded supportive but i ended up with some other lady who has been really unprofessional. First appointment with her she was discussing my personal, confidential information with construction workers talking in the background at her home, like she was sitting in her lounge room conducting her appointments. So much for private and confidential! Made a complaint about her and havent heard back. She had also told me that im to accept any job that comes my way even if its not something i would usually do. Saying my nursing qualification isnt relevant. Its the exact same thing i was told when i was with a normal agency years ago. I only have nursing experience. Whos going to hire someone to train them up only for them to leave when a nursing job comes up? I just feel that even though this one is a disability employment agency, they are just the same.

[Petal22]

Hi MissJ94,

Im really sorry for your current situation but things will get better for you.

I understand it’s stressful but try not to allow the stress to get to you and enjoy Christmas with your son.. you sound like such a loving mum.

If you are in financial distress you can ask for some of your super.

Have a lovely Christmas 🙏

[geoff]

Hello MissJ, the other option you can decide to do is pay all the utilities on a nominated amount per fortnight, say $25 each fortnight for gas and/or electricity, you can pay it yourself or you can get Centrelink to centre pay it, they usually know the electrical company and have their Bpay number, it's better than trying to find the whole amount which could be as high as $500.

Hope this helps you.

Geoff.