I've been back in Northern Ireland for 5 months after leaving South Africa (spend 26 years there) and I started my first job on Monday as an office cleaner. I've always had an office job but sitting behind a desk and a computer. Is it just me being a snob or are there some people who just couldn't do a job like that. I cried on my way home from work today as I just can't hack it. I'm giving the job 110% but I just can't do it. I'm going to be looking out for something else in the meantime but just wanted a shoulder to cry on. Hubby say's pack it in till something better comes along but I'm trying to be the bigger person by hanging in there.

Good for you for giving it a go! Dont do it if it makes you miserable and you can afford not to. Concentrate on getting a job you will like

Donna I think you should take your OH's advice on this one and pack it in if it's making you miserable. Not that there's anything wrong with a cleaning job my mum has done that for years. It just reminded me of when we first moved to Montreal and my OH couldn't find any work (and I had no work permit) and he ended up taking a job in a telemarketing call centre. When I saw his face after the first day I told him to just quit I didn't care if we needed the money I just couldn't stand to see him so miserable. Good luck I'm sure you'll find something more suitable soon.

Thanks Kate. I guess I can put it down to experience. I'm going to set my mind on finding something else although I'm going to feel really crap going in and telling them that I'm leaving after such a short spell. Fingers crossed that I can come back in a week or two and update this thread with some good news.
You're right Elaine although funny you should say that about the call centre job cos my OH is working in a call centre and loving it. He was a printer by trade so it's totally out of his comfort zone. I take my hat off to anyone who does cleaning for a living cos it bloody hard work!!!

The thing about call centres in Montreal is that a lot of them are just out to scam people out of money (cold calling) I'm sure your OH isn't in a place like that.

Anyway let us know when you find something better.

Of the jobs that I've had, I've had some cleaner type jobs when I was a student. Those were the hardest to do, both in the sense of physical work and 'getting mentally up' for the job.

I would say that if you can afford not to do, ask yourself why you are doing it. I don't think that there's anything wrong with "I gave that job a go and it didn't work".

All the best and good luck.

I certainly will have a lot more respect for any cleaner I come across from now on. You're right Dave, it sure is physical and after you've spent hours cleaning up the place, the next day it looks just as messy. Even though I'm not a gym person, I'm getting a good work out carting buckets up and down the stairs and building up my arms with carrying all the rubbish bins. Just a general dig and no offense meant but the men's toilets are they worse and they absolutely stink.

As alternatives, in your position, I have done retail and bar/waiting work. Not sure how much there will be about considering the current climate, although next month all the retailers will start taking on Xmas staff.

Some how neither seem quite such a mental downer even if both can be quite physically demanding.

Cleaning is great when it's private, choose your own hours, often cash in hand and bob's ya uncle. Cant really see the benefit bar minimum wage in cleaning for an organisation.

I'm with the others - life is too short to be doing a job that makes you cry at the end of the day. Good luck with finding something else that is going to be more in your line!

Mate that sounds horrible.

I don't think unless you are totally on the bare bones of your arse financially that it is worth it, sounds like more of soulbreaker than a job.

Well I handed in my notice today and tomorrow will be my last day. They did ask me to reconsider which was really sweet but I just couldn't. Once my mind was made up there's just no turning me around. Well it's back to job hunting again for me and although there are no guarantee's that whatever job I take will make me happy, I'll certainly give it a lot more thought before taking the next job. Thanks for all your comments, it made my decision a lot easier.

hey Donna, I know I'm a little late but I just wanted to chime in!! I have owned my own cleaning service for years and I know it is HARD work. Over the years I have had many girls who have started and not even lasted one day!! So please do not feel bad at all. Cleaning companies know that when people start there is a high chance it won't work out. I am glad you gave your notice as doing a job you hate just makes life miserable.
How is the job market in NI??
We are moving back next year and are hoping we will find work easy enough!

All the best and I hope you find a job you love.

Hi la-chica-irlandesa
At least I stuck it out for a week so I don't feel so bad. Well as one door closes another one opens. I got a call earlier from a recruitment agency that I had registered with and they have just had a job come in for an admin person in a design company. My previous job in South Africa was managing a small design studio so this job would suit me down to a T. It's also part-time (9-1) and the salary is £14k which is fantastic. I've really only been hitting the JobCentre Online website for jobs rather than registering with loads of recruitment agencies and there's at least 80 new jobs loaded every day. Ok granted the jobs are all over Northern Ireland but it shows that there are still jobs out there. I don't reckon you should have any problems finding a job. We didn't have any jobs lined up when we arrived here and OH found a job within a week working at a call centre. Ok it doesn't pay much but we knew that we would have to start at the bottom and work our way up to get to a level were we where when we left SA. It all takes time and the fact that we have a roof over our heads, food on the table and a good quality of life, what more could you ask for.

oh that is wonderful news!
Good luck I hope you enjoy it.
I will definately keep an eye on the online job centre. thanks.

laura

Give it all you can give while you're there, and treat it as a stepping-stone. When I first came to Aus I worked in Aus Post sorting mail, it was hot, grubby and unfriendly, and I longed for the kind of office job I'd always had. It was a means to an end, got a job on my CV, got experience in the country, and it stopped me sitting around wishing I had a job
I'm sure it'll pay off in the end, as it finally did for me. Hang in there and prove you can adapt - and cry on our shoulders in the meantime.