Unemployed #NoIncome #StudentStruggles
Hey everyone, I’m in a bit of a tough spot and could really use some advice. I lost my job a few months ago and despite my best efforts, I haven’t been able to secure new employment. Here’s where I’m at:
- I’ve been looking for work for 3 months now with no luck
- I’m a university student, but I can’t afford the fuel to get there anymore
- I found out that I’m not eligible for job seeker or student Centrelink support
- I’m living with my parents, but I don’t feel comfortable asking them for money
I feel like I’m stuck in a difficult situation. Do you have any suggestions or tips for what I can do next?
Possible Solution:
- Have you considered getting a job at McDonald’s or a similar fast-food chain? They often have openings and provide flexible hours for students 🍔
- Look into part-time work opportunities that may not require as much commuting
- Consider reaching out to local community services or non-profit organizations for assistance with transportation or finding job opportunities
Let’s brainstorm together and see if we can come up with some solutions for this tough situation. Your advice could really make a difference for me and others facing similar challenges. Let’s help each other out! ♥️
Why are you not eligible for Centrelink
Tough spot mate. Try reaching out to your Uni for any support they can provide.
I know USYD welfare teams have instant Woolies vouchers they can provide, and even small grants to students in financial distress. Not sure where you’re studying, or what they can offer but it’s worth a phone call.
They may also be able to help you re: your uni work. Help with deferring if you’re not able to study or potentially some help with scheduling so you’re not needed on Campus as much.
Register with labour hire and temping places
Pay rate is never great but they are a good stop gap
Get an RSA and work at a bottlo. $30 online and you can do 40 hours as a casual easy working for ColesWorth.
Bunnings is a great spot for uni students
Hell even maccas or hungry jacks
Pack a bag and Join the military mate.
Sell your car
Door to door, offer to rake leaves, wash cars, gardening, dig holes. Do anything for $20 an hour cash.
Labour hire companies can get you casual work in a variety of industries, factory work, food processing etc
Call up removalist companies if you’re in a big city, they’re always short staffed and looking for offsiders sometimes the next day and will sometimes pay cash the same day for temp workers. They might even pick you up from your house if you’re somewhat centrally located
Your parents are meant to be helping out here.
Go door knocking and ask the neighbors if they have any cash in hand jobs you can help them with. Cleaning, lawn mowing… a few old folks might appreciate the help for a bit of $$.
It may turn into repeat income too if you do a good job.
If you have less than $20 to your name, you really have no way of getting a job. You need money to get to an interview, get to work for the first week, buy new clothes if required…
My suggestion would be to borrow $1k off your parents and make sure you get a job so you can pay it back immediately. There are lots of jobs out there right now, especially if you’re comfortable being a shitkicker.
ask your parents for money
Where are you based?
Get your safe food handling cert, and apply to work in aged care or hospital catering. They pay is fairly meh, but places are ALWAYS looking for people. The work is pretty easy and low stress compared to other hospo jobs You can either apply directly to a facility, or sign up to a contracting company and do placements through the company.
labour hire like protech, as long as you don’t mind getting you’re hands dirty but you may have no other choice.
Hey mate, have you got your RCG, RSA and ARCG certificates. You could try to work in a hotel or TAB.
There are plenty of hospitality positions out there mate, keep asking and fill out those applications for restaurants you’ll land a position somewhere soon. You can try supermarkets too. Another option if you have a very old car and a full licence is doing deliveries for Uber Eats, DoorDash and Menulog.
It’s not going to be your dream job but it’ll help put something in your wallet. I already have a secure position full time with a company that I’ve been with for over 15years and very often I will still do a lot of the above mentioned jobs as side hustles just to keep ahead on mortgage and other family spending.
Join your local FB suburb group and offer to do odd jobs, pet walking, garden work, retail, hospitality, labouring. Most people who try this in my local group get job offers straight away.
What you’re going through is difficult however, normal.
Most of us have been there at some point in our lives (unless incredibly lucky). So please understand what you’re going through is common.
Looking back, the difficulty shaped me to become a better person (diamonds are made under pressure).
Others have offered specific advice. I’ll suggest something else to ensure your mental health is in check.
Exercise.
It doesn’t need to be at a fancy gym or anything. Go for a daily walk/run, push ups, sit ups, jump rope, calisthenics, etc The goal is to sweat, be tired and challenge yourself. Do this regularly.
Why is this important? Because exercise genuinely improves your mental and physical health. It sharpens the mind and keeps you going even when your circumstances are rough.
You won’t realise this immediately but after a week, 2 weeks, a month, 3 months, you’ll look and carry yourself a lot more differently than not trying. It does help.
Good luck, mate.
Check to see if your university has equity scholarships for students experiencing financial hardship. They are probably not ongoing, but a one-off payment may help.