To feel utterly useless and fear for the future

[MiloStrugis]

I have never written here before but I’ve read quite a few good pieces of advice.
I moved to GB to be with my husband when I was pregnant with my first child. In September, after 8 years at home, when my youngest one started Reception I started looking for a job.
Before children I worked (not in England) in quite a big company in marketing. I know it was a long time ago and it was not GB job and I am patient to build everything from the start, but I don’t know how. I’ve been applying for graduate positions, for voluntary projects and apparently I am not good enough. There must be something I do wrong or is there simply no way to get the job for me? I know it is not a long time only four months and I do not expect it to be easy. What really brings me down is when I call to find out more about any offer and I say I everything I have done in was abroad (degree, a few years of experience) counts for nothing and there is simply no chance I can enter job market now.
I was happy when my children were small, but now with them at school, my husband whole days at work I feel so useless and old and like there is nothing for me but cooking pans and pots

Genuinely early days to start worrying. If you are still getting nowhere after a year of DILIGENTLY applying thrice a week, then begin bemoaning your life. Sorry for sounding harsh but the job market is a SHIT sifting contest for the majority.

Have you given any thought to starting a business of your own? Get someone impartial and qualified to look over your cv amd covering letters. Keep heart!

It is easy to get downhearted but you are absolutely not in a hopeless position. You have a few options: retrain, start at the very bottom of a company and work up, start a business, investigate ways to update your qualifications. What those companies tell you is an opinion not a fact.

It's an employers market atm.

We get about 40 applications for every job that comes up - managers can pick and choose exactly the right candidate for any job as we are awash with people desperate for work - people totally over qualified for posts.

We had a colleague apply for the sane post in a different team and she didn't even get an interview.

Are you getting interviews? If not ask for feedback as to why.

I think it's more likely to be the long gap out of employment that's your biggest problem, rather than the fact you've lived and worked overseas previously. Lots of people move internationally to further their career these days, and I've never heard of it being an issue (obviously the exception is if it's a profession like law where you might not be qualified to practice in a different country).

I notice you mention graduate positions - these are often aimed at very recent graduates, so if you graduated some years ago and have significant work experience, they're probably not for you. That doesn't mean you're 'not good enough', just that you're not the type of applicant the schemes are aimed at.

It is indeed the job market, not your training.

I agree with nessus. Give it an entire year before reconsidering.

I do not go to the interviews. I send cvs +mot.letter, and that is it. I mean I know all the rules it is not the same scan for every job, i read about company, I send only there, where I assume I am good enough. The feedback I got from a few companies is as English is not my first language, all the jobs with proof reading, editing, I am not fit for. I get it. With one's own business I would not mind - it just do not have an good idea and this is the key :).
I do not mind career change - I wonder what people change to? I need to admit that it is hard for me to get to know the market - I am reluctant to discuss my employment related issues with other mums and this is mostly who I know here. so It is obviously not only a question of what I want to do, but also what promises at least a chance of employment.
I may be wrong, but I have an impression that many people train to get to education - be a teaching assistant (or maybe it is a local interest :)) and that is all, rest either is SAHM like me or stay in the same field forever.
I do not want to be a a moaner, I have a lot to thank for. If I went to the interviews I would probably feel that I am moving forward and I can get a feedback and work on myself, but because there is no response at all I started feeling like it is not me who controls my future.

Without wanting to sound rude OP, it is very clear from your last post that English is your second language.

I would perhaps start looking for jobs that utilize your language skills, rather than applying for jobs that require you to compete against native English speakers.

You may also find it easier if you apply for temporary posts as a way into the job market.
What sort of voluntary posts did you apply for?

What's your native language?

Chippednailvarnish I do not find it rude. any criticism is good if it helps in the end. The roles I applied for were mostly marketing roles (help not leading) in community projects.

CailinDana my native language would not give me any competitive advantage in job searching as it is quite popular, if this is why you are asking.

I don't see how the OP's English skills can be holding her back, since she still writes better than many native English speakers who have jobs.

I think its the job market here OP. Traditionally the UK job market has been suspicious of any career breaks or anything that deviates from the norm, and a lot of people seem to get opportunities from whom they know ie friends or family members. You may have to try something like offering your services for free for a couple of months on a work shadowing basis to make contacts.

If you are competing against native English speakers and a large part of the role is proof reading, that you will be at a disadvantage. You may also find that you will be competing against very cheap graduates in a poor job market.

I would look for jobs utilizing your other language. If you can afford to do an unpaid internship with a charity, it will do your CV a world of good. As would a role as would being an unpaid volunteer.
Don't get disheartened, you will get there in the end, but you need to start building up your skills and CV.

Work shadowing is a good idea. Of course I would like to earn some money, but at this stage I find the most important thing is to gain some experience and come back to the whole routine of working. I would be thankful for a clue how to apply for it. I am not a graduate so surely not through universities.
So do I answer for an add writing "choose me, I will do it for free" or do I write to the companies that interest me no matter if they look for someone or not.
This question may sound naive and I do not want to sponge everyone off their secret knowledge but if there is any customary way to do it it is good to now it.

I would ask an English friend to proof-read your applications, as otherwise your slight errors (due to English being your second language) will be likely to lead to immediate rejections - there are so many people applying, employers are just looking for excuses to reject people. If you can get to interview, you will have the chance to convince them of your ability and useful experience.

If you want to work for free, I would write in to companies you are interested in, setting out your qualifications and experience and asking if you would be able to work as an intern for a few months to help you to gain an understanding of marketing in the UK.

Realistically, I would at the same time try to think of a way of setting up your own business. You are lucky in that your husband is the primary breadwinner, so you can start off slowly and work from there.

Also have a look at the Guardian's jobs pages - they always have unpaid positions...

Thanks, I know it is a good idea to ask someone, but stupidly I feel asking for that kind of help would make me inferior as others would know I could not do it on my own. It is ridiculous I know and I will have to overcome it. I just want to say that this thread helped me. The comment regarding my husband is true, I appreciate the fact that I could be with my children all these years.

I understand about not wanting to ask for help, I'm like that too.

I find that employment here, unless you've had a way in via parents/friends/cronyism etc, often down to luck. You apply for 10 jobs, no responses, then all of a sudden you get an interview and a job offer for one you thought you'd no hope of getting. Just keep throwing your hat in the ring.

I understand about not wanting to ask for help, I'm like that too.

I find that employment here, unless you've had a way in via parents/friends/cronyism etc, often down to luck. You apply for 10 jobs, no responses, then all of a sudden you get an interview and a job offer for one you thought you'd no hope of getting. Just keep throwing your hat in the ring.