DEAR DEIDRE: Even though I have lots of qualifications, I can’t find a job.
My CV has a big gap in it because I’ve spent the last 10 years caring for my elderly mother.
I’m 50 and she’s 80. Now she’s had to go into a care home.
I thought it would be easy to get back into the job market. I’ve got an HGV licence and two degrees, which I studied for when I was caring for Mum.
But every time I apply for a role, I just get knocked back. The man at the Job Centre is intent on me shelf-stacking - just so he hits his targets of getting people into work.
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I need a job that’s flexible because I’m now looking after Mum’s old labrador. She gets me out of the house but I can’t leave her for long.
My contact at the job centre told me to get rid of the dog to increase my chances of work. How could I do that?
DEIDRE SAYS: It’s unfair to ask you to get rid of your dog, but there are ways to work and keep her.
Check out local social media pages for recommended dog walkers.
Many people work from home now too.
Make sure your CV shows you were caring for somebody, so that gap isn’t glaring.
For advice on CV writing, interviews and finding work, take a look at Rest Less, a website for the over 50s (restless.co.uk/).
There’s also a section on volunteering, which may help you to secure employment.