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 have been reading your column for years, but for the first time in my career feel in need of advice. I’m an HR director with 20 years’ experience, mostly gained in different public sector organisations – so you might think I should be able to manage a career change quite easily.
I left a post in further education at the end of 2014 and took some time out (completing a coaching qualification, travelling to Asia and completing projects at home etc) but started looking for work again seriously in May. In spite of applying for 16 jobs that I felt quite suitable for, and registering with some consultancies for interim work, I have made little progress. I do have one interview lined up, but as feedback is almost impossible to obtain, I’m left unsure about where I’m going wrong.
I am genuinely flexible about whether I take on permanent or contract work and have worked as a consultant in the past. I think that if I get face-to-face with an employer I should be able to present fairly well, but I just need to get over the first hurdle.
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.
