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 work in higher education disability and dyslexia support, and the sector is undergoing a huge change because of government policy and cuts. I have been on a zero-hours contract for 10 years.
Work has always been insecure and I have done a series of part-time and temporary contracts, plus freelancing, in order to make enough money to live on. I’ve also recently put myself through a distance-learning course and gained a teaching qualification so that I am fully qualified and equipped to seek out work in the sector.
I have tried out other kinds of jobs in student support, but this area of work is the one I love.
Recently, jobs have come up that are guaranteed, part-time hours contracts, but they are like gold dust. The academic support community is tight-knit and I am good friends with a lot of the people going for the same jobs as myself. We all know each other and the nature of our jobs is supportive and non-competitive, as we are helping students overcome barriers to their learning and assist them in developing the skills they need.
I’m finding competing against colleagues and friends very difficult. I didn’t get through the last interview process for one of these posts, which has knocked my belief in my ability, too. I’m having a bit of a crisis of confidence as I want my friends and colleagues to do well, but at the same time I know I need to shine. It’s making me more worried and more nervous about my applications and interviews.
Am I being too soft? How do I try and get over this?
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.
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