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 working, I did a great range of roles (as we moved around with my husband’s job). I have a general science degree and was adaptable – numerate, literate (if you can claim that for yourself), a fast typist and good at research and writing reports (often where things had gone wrong). I enjoyed doing all kinds of things and ended up revising a large organisation’s national policy.
After I retired I did some more research and kept busy, organising things in the village and volunteering with various charities.
Three years ago my husband suddenly became ill and I stopped everything to look after him. Now, with changed circumstances, I need to earn some money and am conscious of a big blank in my CV, of using the word “retired” and of being less sharp than I was.
Any advice would be appreciated. I could volunteer for a while but am aware that, these days, I may just be doing someone else out of paid work.
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.
