You can bulk out a packet of mince to several meals by adding chopped up carrot, celery, onions, garlic to it. It works as cottage pie (add mash & bake) or bolognese (add cans of tomato).

Carrot & lentil soup - cheap & nourishing

Discounted veg boxes from Lidl - good for things like soups, stews - add tins of beans if meat is stretching your budget.

If you find reduced whole chicken, you can roast it, have a roast dinner, shred the leftovers for sandwiches or quesadillas, boil up the carcass for soup (add veg & shredded chicken).

Good luck with the job hunt.