Twice a week we publish problems that will feature in a forthcoming Dear Jeremy advice column in the Saturday Guardian so that readers can offer their own advice and suggestions. We then print the best of your comments alongside Jeremy’s own insights. Here is the latest dilemma – what are your thoughts?
I am trying to get a “real” job having worked freelance for the past four years. I have had two good careers: more than 20 years in public service broadcasting, mostly as a radio producer, and over 10 years in arts project management, including four years as a freelance.
With all the cuts to arts funding, this is no longer viable as there are so few opportunities and those that exist seem to expect ever more hours for reduced rates.
I must now have applied for about 70 jobs in the past two years – the majority don’t even offer an interview and don’t give feedback. I have had six interviews and have been told I was “a very close second” every time.
Last year I paid for some careers advice and rejigged my CV and am trying to be very flexible and not to look only at “creative” roles. It seemed that one of the few areas that was expanding and advertising multiple roles was in project administration but, aside from the role for which I came second, I have not even been offered an interview, despite having relevant and transferable skills
My natural resilience is starting to wear thin. I am a single parent and still have a teenager at school so I can’t really work abroad at this point. I think my age might be a factor as managers who interview me are almost invariably 20 years younger. The government expects me to work another 11 years, I am working two mornings a week in a shop and I need more income.
Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.
