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.
When my son was born in 2012 I decided to take an extended break from paid work to look after him. I had been working in environmental education and the role wasn’t child-friendly. Also, after childcare I wouldn’t be taking much, if any, money home.
I have been volunteering with a local sustainability charity, setting up a green parenting group and reusable nappy library. My son is due to start school in September and I want to get back into work.
The environmental sector is a non-starter. With funding cuts it would be close to impossible to get a role after a five-year career break, even with my volunteering.
I want something I can have a career in, rather than the series of jobs I had in the environmental sector, and HR has always interested me.
I’ve applied for entry-level jobs through various websites and sent my CV and covering letter to specialist recruitment companies but I’m getting no interest at all. I can’t afford to retrain without a job to support this training.
I have a wealth of experience and skills just waiting for someone to make use of – I just need to convince them that I can be an asset to them rather than a risk. What can I do?
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.
