To the unemployed, what are you doing for money in the meantime?
Posted by Southern_Mud3841@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 68 comments
For people who were working in corporate/tech (or similar fields) and got laid off, contracts ended, or let go. Let’s say you have a few months of savings left but the job market is brutal right now, especially in tech, and those savings are running out.
What are you doing to survive financially? Are you picking up minimum wage jobs, deliveries, or trying to make money using your existing skills?
Would you take any job (even low-paid) while searching, or do you try to stay within your field first?
Also curious, how do people in workplaces or college/school circles usually react to this? Do they look down on it or are they generally understanding?
Longjumping_Ask_9097@reddit
I lost my stable NHS senior management job due to a brutal 8+ years cancer battle (I held on to the job for the first few years, on chemo etc every day). I have an MA degree and 20+ years of real solid job experience. I’ve been back looking for a job for over 5 years now. Hundreds and hundreds of applications, customised/bespoke CVs, well considered cover letters, applying for roles I would like that I’m qualified for as well as jobs that pay 1/4 of what I made 10 years ago. I’ve had ONE interview. (And no job offers). I have become really good at shoplifting from grocery stores, so I guess there are some upsides.
pocketfullofredfaces@reddit
Wow even no luck applying to NHS roles? My gf wants to relocate soon but I’m pretty sure getting another job in the other, smaller trust will take ages. Staying put seems sensible as im on permanent
Best of luck out there, and most importantly don’t get caught 🤫🏬🤏
Steffy_W_1985@reddit
Unemployed since Dec 2025 as chose to quit in order to be a caregiver to Dad. I did try to find a part time job to fit around my new schedule but they just don't pay well, and besides I need the flexibility should Dad's health deteriorate. To be honest I'm focused on enjoying the time he has left, and I have considerable savings so I'm managing, but I do feel for those who don't have that safety net. The jobs are asking too much for what they are paying, and certain people are being hired over genuine skills and experience. One can't ignore it. Also what's the point in working when we can barely enjoy the fruits of our labours, the cost of living is beyond a joke for most.
prohibitngs@reddit
Redundancy end of Oct 2025. Have worked a couple of “filler jobs”, then found a “proper job” in my field, then they sacked me after just 1 week because they didn’t think I was the right fit after all. So now I’m back to being unemployed and don’t even have a filler job…. Savings are rapidly depleting. It’s brutal.
Suspicious-Case3861@reddit
I love how people think low paid jobs are easy to get.
Uber in my area was full and so was just easy shock horror.
I'm asked five or six agencies about warehouse work and just laughed at me or ignored when I sent my CV. I did get one job offer and that's a self employed Amazon driver which when I worked it out wasn't worth it if I'm using my own vehicle. Not was it an actual job.
richyartois@reddit
Try Tesco driving. They’re always hiring and it’s the easiest job I’ve ever had
Suspicious-Case3861@reddit
Have applied at my local as a driver for the groceries delivery service. Twice. Nobody has come back to me yet been about three weeks. Any tips for getting the job next time?
richyartois@reddit
Ah sorry to hear that mate. I had some experience working for Royal Mail before to be fair. Just keep trying I guess
Suspicious-Case3861@reddit
Probs why, will do, and I think Im gonna adjust cv
Suspicious-Case3861@reddit
I don't really know what to do with my CV as it's mostly just office experience.
garlicmayosquad@reddit
I got made redundant in 2023 and haven't really worked a proper job since then, for more than a few months. I ended up just selling everything and starting a small business, that makes me just enough to live in cheap place and have a basic life, but I don't need to sit in an office anymore!
FishAffectionate9907@reddit
hope you don’t mind me asking what your small business is?
garlicmayosquad@reddit
its a niche in environmental engineering, thats needed for house building.
AnonymousTimewaster@reddit
Got a 3 month notice period and trying to be frugal. No idea what I'll do when it runs out. UC I guess.
KataIGuess@reddit
UC in the UK is a brainrotting, humiliating nightmare.
cat101786@reddit
Oh hi! This is me. It’s been 3 years.
1st year used 1/3 of my redundancy to train in fine woodworking.
2nd year started tiny freelancing self employment in biz consultancy / marketing / tech about a day per week, the rest of the time I do fine woodworking for fun and it brings some money. About 90/10 was income from previous skills vs new skills.
3rd year started also teaching fine woodworking and my freelance biz expanded also. More complex work. Still 1 day a week doing consulting / digital marketing / websites. So income from old skills has grown. But also income from new skills has grown as well.
So now my income is very diversified both in person and online. But 98% of my tome is spent doing stuff I love.
I still haven’t ‘made it’ as a furniture maker.
I also cut my costs SIGNIFICANTLY. Literally absolutely obliterated my old lifestyle.
ringwormqueen@reddit
This is really cool and I have a lot of admiration!
cat101786@reddit
Thank you!
matchedbetting101@reddit
Some people just use matched betting in the meantime since it doesn’t rely on finding clients or getting hired. You’re basically working through bookmaker offers and taking the profit, so it can help bring something in while still applying for roles. It’s not huge forever, but it can take a bit of pressure off while you’re between jobs.
Big_Cheese16@reddit
I lost my job in September due to redundancy. Senior manager in retail.
Managed to jump straight into a warehousing role. Absolutely not what I want to do and less money. It's a small team, the guys I work with a great but the work is hard. I have health conditions and been told by multiple doctors I need a more relaxed jobs - preferably desk job.
So now I'm on the hunt for that, but they seem so few and far between and the ones that do become available, want years of experience. I'm glad to have a job at least and it's not going anywhere so I'm secure for now but I just want better.
ShrinkToasted@reddit
Nice try, HMRC
Xaerob@reddit
I left my last job and got a 10k loan as I didn't have any savings just before to tide me over, I was prepared for 3 months of unemployment, but was unemployed for 8 months in the end. That still wasn't enough though, I went on the dole, sold my car and all other assets I could, I took a lodger in to help with my bills in an attempt to keep my house. It was horrendous and I sympathise with anyone else going through it. We all have some identity and put a lot of time in our jobs and when it's gone it's a life flipper. It's also a big part of the incoming AI job takeover that is mostly being ignored because there are no good answers to it.
Inner_Couple_5988@reddit
Feels like most people just go into “patch the gap” mode to be honest.
Some pick up whatever pays quickly, delivery, temp work, hospitality, just to keep money coming in. Others try freelance or small bits using their existing skills, but that’s hit and miss.
I think most start off trying to stay in their field, then reality kicks in and they’ll take anything if it drags on.
And in terms of how people react, no one really cares as much as you think. Loads of people are in the same boat right now.
Sure-Recognition-262@reddit
I work in tech. About 5 years ago I was at risk of redundancy. I wasn't one of the ones made redundant in the end but I certainly thought about this.
I decided I'd happily pick up a minimum wage job to stretch my redundancy further (and, as a bagpiper, I'd also be able to boost that income with some paid work playing weddings, etc) and would rather do that than compromise by taking another long-term job that I didn't actually think was right for me.
MoleDunker-343@reddit
A lot of people say this and having been in that position, it’s really not as simple as just going out and getting a minimum wage job.
As OP has also demonstrated.
Thankfully I’m employed now in a role I enjoy and I’m ups-killing every week, but I was made redundant last year and of the 35 low-wage jobs in retail, warehouse etc I applied for as a quick solution, I heard nothing back - And that’s with tailored CV’s that I attempted to manipulate to seem somewhat relevant to those jobs.
I even leveraged bar tending experience I had from when I was a teenager and nothing.
beseeingyou18@reddit
Reddit still lives in 2004 where you could just walk into a retail shop, fill in an application, and get a job.
Sure-Recognition-262@reddit
Nope. But in 2026, you can get a "job" (in the loose sense of the word) delivering for Amazon or Deliveroo or Uber eats. And in 2026 I've seen adverts on local Facebook groups for jobs in local pubs.
MoleDunker-343@reddit
That doesn’t prove any point, if you’re trying to make one.
Amazon, Deliveroo, Uber Eats all require you to do things like changing your car insurance policy - Which often involves an increase in premiums or a chunky admin fee, neither of which would be great if you’re trying to pinch on cash. You also go through different account checks before the ability to actually ‘work’ is approved. It’s not just a 10 second task and you’re away doing orders and getting paid.
Most of the people you see out on the street doing these things are under someone else’s account, taking a portion of actual income, driving with no insurance etc. To them anything is something.
In those jobs you don’t stand a chance if you aren’t using a car, because there’s so many others picking up jobs quickly and because there’s so many on these apps Just Eat is raking it in because they’re paying people £4 on a £35 order because they know someone will take the job.
Cash in hand jobs you’re also still living in 2004… No one is trusting a white British man who rocks up to their takeout and asks if there’s “Any cash in hand jobs going mate?”
And on top of all that even if you follow through with the whole process of getting on Just Eat etc, I’d imagine you’re then stuck, because you’re in your car that you’re now paying more insurance on, for over double the time you’re usually in it, driving around places you normally wouldn’t go, for a better chance of maybe getting a few good jobs in that gives you a pittance in your bank account at the end of the night.
The local ads you saw are just that, localised.
Sure-Recognition-262@reddit
> Cash in hand jobs you’re also still living in 2004… No one is trusting a white British man who rocks up to their takeout and asks if there’s “Any cash in hand jobs going mate?”
At no point did I mention cash in hand jobs. I mentioned the so called gig economy jobs (amazon, deliveroo, ubereats) and bar work
MoleDunker-343@reddit
In one of your comments above you mention employees that are not legal - Referring to cash in hand jobs. I was factoring your earlier opinion into my comment to further my point.
I never mentioned anything about you being a White Man. I was merely tailoring my comment in a way that’s more personable to me so I could better relate to the topic, it’s a pretty standard thing to do. I am a white British man.
Sure-Recognition-262@reddit
No, I didn't say that. I said
That's talking about the "gig economy" (Deliveroo, etc) jobs which legally speaking you're not an employee, but self-employed. Nothing to do with illegal/cash-in-hand work
But your experience describes your experience. You're assuming that the same would've applied to me, probably in a different part of the country, a place where I've seen local businesses struggle for staff, and I've seen younger friends of mine pick up throwaway minimum-wage jobs with relative ease.
I don't live in that world. I would not be surprised if I had to apply for 50 jobs to get one. But I also have confidence I'd get one long before I burned through redundancy cash.
beseeingyou18@reddit
I got turned down for a warehouse because I didn't have warehouse experience.
It's not as easy as you think.
Sure-Recognition-262@reddit
I wouldn't expect to get the first job I went for. I would expect to get something relatively soon - especially if I went for one of these "jobs" that pay piecework to people who're not legally employees
BeardSam@reddit
Honestly? I’m in my late twenties and have always appreciated being able to live independently. Then last February, I lost my job. After 8 months of pure rejection (and burning through a lot of savings), I swallowed my pride and moved back in with my mum. I am lucky enough that I was able to nepotise my way into a minimum wage job at my dad’s business, doing the most tedious and menial computer work you could imagine
But I’ve left the city I love behind and feel like my life has been on pause since I lost the job. No one who knows me has judged me but most of them don’t really get what it’s like. I wouldn’t wish this situation on my second worst enemy
There’s light on the horizon for me: a very secure and promising looking job has given me an offer and we’re currently discussing start dates. Things can get better!
Kalliban27@reddit
What about dishonestly?
NoiamnotObamason@reddit
Happy to hear it brother. Keep strong and positive!
JayDeePea@reddit
Got made redundant March 23rd, got offered a new job March 25th. Switched from being a document manager for the last 12 years to an autism support practitioner with a 6k paycut. I managed to switch to this field due to recently finding out that I'm autistic, having many autistic family members, and being currently active in doing a lot of reading on autism which helped me stand out. Still waiting for my PVG checks etc come through, and also still waiting for my redundency money to come through. Stuck in a limbo at the moment, been occupying my time doing stuff like Evri (DO NOT DO EVRI - I made £85 for three shifts and stopped), and focusing on my etsy store.
MoonExploration2929@reddit
I was made redundant 2 years ago as a sole income provider for a family of four.
I was fortunate enough to have gotten a delivery driver job for one of the big four supermarkets a couple of months prior to redundancy for a bit of pocket money.
When the redundancy hit i took as much overtime as possible whilst job searching.
I’m in full time work now, but since that massive scare I’ve continued with the delivery driving job.
There was no way that job seekers allowance would’ve covered any of my outgoings at that time - and it still wouldn’t, especially with the cost of living forever on the rise.
My friends took notice of my situation and they themselves have gotten second jobs as a precaution.
EvenMathematician874@reddit
I just got a grad job but I was dog sitting. Actually my last dog is currently with me as I start in 3 weeks
ScottJ_78@reddit
I was made redundant about five months ago from a senior technical role. For the first three months there were very few suitable roles. Around Feb this year people started interviewing. I had my final interview for a role I applied for over four months ago last week. I have found for senior tech roles the time between application and having a job is many months. I am currently in the interview process for another four positions.
Money wise, I was with my last company for over twenty years. The redundancy payment was enough to last me a year. I am not sure my sanity will last that long though. I have applied for a mixture of slightly more junior roles, the same level and more senior ones. I think the one I will go for is the first one who provides me with an offer as long as it is not silly. Worst case, I can do it for a year before applying for other roles
hiddenkinkz@reddit
The guy that does some of our Ocado deliveries is the same guy that does some of our Amazon deliveries and he was in tech (had a nice chat to him). He said he’s had to take the delivery jobs because he was laid off and couldn’t get another job. Honestly he seems pretty happy.
No-Sandwich1511@reddit
When I was in this situation I applied for anything even minimum wage, money is moneybat the end of the day. I took a job in retail but continued to apply for roles I would rather be doing until I got one. This way mean I still ensured I had money coming in and I picked up different skills.
FarAcanthocephala210@reddit
Minimum wage is a luxury in 2026 the competition is too high it’s not something you just get because you want it anymore
Low-Understanding119@reddit
16 months out, part time minimum wage hours and some consultancy work on top 👍🏼
BarryLawyer@reddit
Well i am now 3 months out of work. Now minus in my bank account and nobody is hiring. I have a law degree and postgrad yet still unemployable for even the basic jobs of admin, retail or anything.
This day n age is so confusing
Rough-Sprinkles2343@reddit
Realistically, no one is going to employ someone for an admin role if they’ve got a law degree and a post grad qualification. You are overqualified.
ameliasophia@reddit
More than that, his post/comment history shows quite the wild ride. From being a 31 year old trainee solicitor at a mid size firm to throwing in the towel just a few months before qualifying to begging people to use his monzo referral code so he can afford to feed his apparently 3 children to asking for outright loans of thousands of pounds on Reddit. Suggests mental illness more than anything else tbh
Rough-Sprinkles2343@reddit
Wow that is sad.
JohnMcAfeewaswhackd@reddit
Are you having interviews? Going through multiple stages? If so, figure out which stage you’re bombing. Also your situation is widespread and tonight just genuinely being beaten at the last hurdle.
If you’re not having interviews. It’s your cv. Everyone’s using applicant tracking software and any of those systems are using ai to narrow down to the top 5%. That’s the top 5% of CV’s that use the correct buzzwords and formatting, not the top 5% experienced and qualified candidates.
It’s not confusing, it’s frustrating and unfair but getting your cv looked at by a professional might help you gain some traction.
blenderider@reddit
I don’t know why you got downvoted lol. You’re completely right.
Confident_Yak_1411@reddit
I’m not in tech (music industry) but I have one of those CV’s that sounds great at a dinner party, but not so much to a hiring panel.
I’ve got loads of experience, and was successful in what is a brutal industry. I still earn 30k a year from various royalties and contract jobs, but I’m looking for something out of the industry while living with parents (not in London where all the jobs are).
Can’t get a warehouse job, can’t get an admin job. This week I’m going down the local pubs to see if they have any shifts behind the bar. It’s wild to be in this position.
JobAnxious2005@reddit
Red brick?
What experience?
Fit_General7058@reddit
It was like this in the early 90s. Over qualified for most jobs, no jobs in specialist field. It's demoralising.
Dumb down your cv for min wage jobs. Education) Pump up the skills needed in those admin jobs, accuracy, efficiency, multi tasking skills. How quickly you pick up new software systems use.
Good luck. There will be a golden age again, just hang in there
StatisticalSock@reddit
3 months unemployed here too. Got laid off because business wants to cut costs although I was the only IT guy in the UK office. Weird times we live in. Good luck to you
Scottie99@reddit
That’s sad to hear.
Bounty_drillah@reddit
Sounds like the post-2008 job market all over again. I graduated in 2010 and it was very bad. Try not to get demoralised and just keep at it.
Ok-Onion-5012@reddit
CPS has jobs all the time. Apply.
MidnightRambler87@reddit
I echo that confusion.
I’m employed currently but my role isn’t challenging enough (it’s basic admin) so I’ve been applying elsewhere.
I’ve had to create a 2 minute video condensing my CV to send to a recruiter to put me forward for another admin job.
I don’t know if it’s the done thing for roles now but I felt so uncomfortable doing it that anymore like that and it will be a hard no.
CommonSpecialist4269@reddit
The whole employment environment is a Goldilocks situation. They want someone with experience, but not too much. Because then you’ll jump ship as soon as something better comes along that better matches your skills.
superpantman@reddit
When I’ve been between jobs I did manual labour. Always been easy enough to get and they don’t expect much from you most of the time.
bishibashi@reddit
My tech co went belly up last September, thankfully I ended up with around 6 months net salary, I got to last 2 for a couple of very similar jobs but not the winner, and I had to suspect age might be a factor. I started applying for some different things, leaning on transferable skills, and since January have been in a role I’m really happy with, less money but local gov pension and school holidays. Salary is about 50% of my previous gross, but works out 65% of net, and fortunately that’s very manageable for us. I wasn’t far off trying to go for a mix of min wage gig stuff and voluntary work just to keep busy when my massive JSA payments ran out 😐 I found the mental load of being unemployed tougher than the financials, but then they never got to the point of biting. I did pretty much stop spending as soon as I wasn’t working though.
Bananamanyana@reddit
Burning through my savings
Internal_Lion_1836@reddit
i’m no longer unemployed but when i was i was just living of my residual income
JohnMcAfeewaswhackd@reddit
I’m in tech and yearly reviews are next week. I’m pretty sure I’m safe as I’m knee deep in projects that will see me through the rest of the year. But there was no Xmas bonus for the first time and I’m sure pay rises aren’t going to happen.
In answer to your question on how I react to those let go and still unemployed, I just appreciate it’s not me and certainly don’t judge. I know how the job market is.
Important-Barber9522@reddit
Until February I had a pt corporate job and a part time hospitality job. It worked fairly well for me. I was made redundant from corporate job in February. I did actually secure another office job so jacked in my hospitality job too. I did nearly 3 weeks of new job but it made me so stressed & unwell I left. Not great but it was not working for me at all.
My hospitality job took me back immediately as a casual employee. I had fairly substantial savings so used those to reduce some debts (mortgage etc) so I could claim universal credit. That’s still ongoing. My partner is self employed so has had to jump through many hoops as it counts as a joint claim.
I don’t get paid from hospitality job until end of April. Won’t be much (40 hours compared to previous 80 hours). My office job owes me 2 weeks money. Paid end of this week.
I’ve got 45 yrs experience of working. I’m applying for the most likely jobs but am drawing the line at care work or cleaning. My back is very sore due to a long standing injury. I can’t even get a job as a school dinner server. I have an interview tomorrow for such a position but I don’t want it. It would mean working term time only which means I’d lose my job at Glastonbury festival every year (non catering related!).
I just want to work. My mental health has plummeted & I’m putting huge stress on my family. I’ve paid my dues & taxes for years just to be treated like a dummy or a child.
I’ve secured another zero hours catering contract but waiting for all checks to go through. I’ve got a summer full of festivals & gigs I planned. I’ve no idea if it will happen.
Very down & feeling really useless. I use AI to scan the job description & my experience. I ask for key points but using my own words. I then use this as a guide and rewrite a covering letter in my own words. I’m finding it helpful. As of tomorrow I will have had 6 interviews in 2 weeks. 2 jobs I didn’t get. One I didn’t want anyway! One I’m ok about. One I haven’t heard but assume it’s a no. One I got (zero hours), one I’m waiting on. One is tomorrow (the term time one I don’t want). My partner has eaten vegetarian food for a week now. They are 100% a meat eater. It’s cheaper. I can’t even afford to go & visit my offspring.
Good luck everyone. It’s brutal out there!
smackdealer1@reddit
I think you ask too many questions.
Rough-Sprinkles2343@reddit
Yeah yeah yeah
How much?
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