Jobless mum’s attempt to find work via eBay backfires after company removes listing
Shelley Murray, a mother of four children, has advertised herself on ebay to try and find a job.
A NORTHAMPTON woman who became so desperate for a job she put an advert on eBay has been left back at square one after the internet auction site removed her listing.
Mother-of-four Shelley Murray took out the unusual job advert after spending six months out of work.
Ms Murray, aged 31, of Ashbrow Road, Briar Hill, said she did not know what else to try after spending hours each day job hunting online.
She said: “I’ve been on jobseekers allowance since August and I’ve sent out lots of CVs and done job searches on the internet and I was getting nowhere.
“I got frustrated and thought there’s got to be anther way I can get myself out there.”
Ms Murray, who has used eBay in the more conventional way in the past, thought she could use the site to advertise her willingness to work.
She said: “I didn’t think anything big of it. The kids thought it was a bit unusual and friends said it was a brilliant idea.
“I was disappointed they removed the listing. I’m just trying to get a job. It’s silly. It’s not hurting anyone.”
Bosses at eBay sent Ms Murray an email, which read: “Unfortunately we had to remove your item because the way it was listed breaches our policy.”
The firm advised that listings should offer items to buy.
A single mum to four boys, Ms Murray had to give up her cleaning job in August last year when her employer asked her to work out of school hours.
She said: “I couldn’t do the hours I was doing before when I became a single mum.”
Ms Murray, who split with her husband of 13 years in 2010, is now desperate to find a job she can work around her children: “A lot of people categorise you as a single mum with kids on benefits who isn’t willing to work and doesn’t want to go and do anything. It gets me down. I hate not working. I want to earn my living.
“I don’t want my children to think that it’s right not to work. I don’t want them to have that kind of attitude. People say ‘go on benefits, it’s an easy way out’ but it’s not. It’s really hard.”
Ms Murray has worked as a hairdresser, bar worker and nursery assistant since leaving school.
Email to a friend
Print this page- BREAKING NEWS: Tributes paid to Niamh Curry as brave five-year-old loses battle against cancer
- BREAKING NEWS: Pensioner dies after collision at Northampton shopping centre
- Man tied to tree and beaten on Northampton Racecourse
- BREAKING NEWS: Woman’s body found after ‘suicide’ in Northampton hotel room
- BREAKING NEWS: Seven-year-old boy dies following house fire in Northamptonshire
- Northampton binmen at ‘breaking point’
- Staff strike at Northampton school over academy plans forces closure
- Saints’ stadium plans get support as long as traffic issues solved
- Eastern European pupils helping school standards across Northampton
- Exclusive: PM David Cameron says Northamptonshire Police Commissioner role is “a big job for a big local figure”
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Northampton
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 41 comments to this article
Page 1 of 3
SteveWonder
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 10:14 AMdo keep us informed
mumof4boys
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:52 AMthankyou so much,i have had a few phone calls about jobs :)
Kingsthorpe Chap
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:30 AMWell done Shelley nice to see someone trying there best to find work . Other benefit blodgers take a leaf out of Shelley's book. The EBAY thing didn't work but least you gave it a go, it shows your determination to get work which I admire I hope something comes for you and I am sure it will.
pete1963
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 03:01 AMWould like to take her out to forget her troubles
Stroppy40
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 08:48 PMCan't knock her for trying. It's good that her kids also see what lengths she'll go to in order to get a job. There's plenty that would just sit on their bums and wait for the government to support them. Good luck to her!!
Demi-
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 07:47 PMThis is just more proof that whatever your situation, its so hard to find work. I graduated from a literature degree last year, and all I've found is that it barely matters unless you have some experience backing you up. Now this lady has had some experience in different work places but she's struggling too. I really hope that Shelley and the rest of us find a little bit of luck somewhere ^^.
lady muck
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 07:45 PMCan't quite make out the tattoo...is it a bird ? Is it a fish ? Appearance is important for some jobs, but I'm guessing Ms Murray would present a bit different at interview. As she says, the problem is that there's an army of mums who want to fit in with the kids schools....you just gotta keep plugging away....
dustonfats
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 07:24 PMtheres a couple of restaurant that have recently lost some of their staff, might be worth a try?
mumof4boys
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 06:44 PMwow that is harsh!! somebodys annoyed.there is no need for that atall.if you read her last statements it does say that she wasnt aware that her number would be visable.somebody has got spell check on here!!
ThatsMyOpinionOfCourse
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 06:44 PMComment removed by moderator
Pacifist
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 04:39 PMMs Murray, I have a lot of respect for you for trying to get off the benefits and eRn some money. Have you thought of setting up a facebook page also? Just a bit concerned about C&E putting your personal number up on the world wide web!?!?
mumof4boys
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 04:37 PMi havnt thought about that no Pacifist,bt that sounds like a gd idea! i have advertised on my own fb but i supose its not the same.i didnt relise my number would be put on here,i assusmed that they would give my number to people who were interested in employing me,bt its done now so not alot i can do .x
steve34
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 04:34 PMi also have spoken to shelly today,unfortunatly i was unable to help her as she has no transport,it was disapointing as she comes across as a very lovely lady and chatty,i think she would do wonders in retail.goos luck shelly.
mumof4boys
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 03:51 PMthankyou Aviatoe36, it sounds like a really good job,fits perfect around my kids,just a shame that i dont drive :(,thankyou for all the nice comments,they have made my day and given me hope.xxxxxx
spiderman
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 03:47 PMtotally agree with helter27, ive got 25 pierding and 7 tatoos, and im employed!! good luck lovely lady i wish you all the best in finding somethink,xx
Page 1 of 3
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.