Twice a week we publish the problems that will feature in a forthcoming Dear Jeremy advice column in the Guardian Money supplement 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 worked as a recruitment consultant for several years, am now in my late 40s and am struggling with what to do next. I feel that I have never had the opportunity to progress, the pay is well below average, and – with hindsight – I believe I made poor career choices long ago.
Although I am burnt out and disillusioned with my current employer, I am reluctant to just move to a similar job. The irony, of course, is that I advise people daily about their careers (and seem to be good at it), yet when it comes to my own I feel stuck. To make matters worse there is a bullying/discriminatory element, and a recent reshuffle has allocated me to a dead-end part of the business.
My career path has not been clearly defined; it's just a series of jobs. My husband thinks I should capitalise on my strengths (I am extremely well organised and have good people skills) and look at options such as project co-ordination/management. How can I make the transition? Or would it be better to think about in-house recruitment and/or HR?
In my current job I most enjoy the candidate relationship – and least like the client/sales side. Early in my career I enjoyed working as a language teacher. I also have a creative side which is under-utilised, but having to constantly chase the next assignment does not suit me.
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 reply personally.
