...have I murdered my career?

[MinesaBottle]

Sorry if this is a bit long. I need some advice fast. Last summer I was made redundant (the company I worked for had a massive reorganisation). There were no suitable roles available as I do something fairly specialist in communications. I'd worked there for ten years and so decided to take some time out to decompress and get a load of work done on the house. I also ended up needing an operation but that wasn't planned obviously!

So in January I started looking for a new job, applying for everything that was suitable in my field. Most of them didn't even bother to come back to me and those that did, didn't really give any useful feedback. I am with two agencies but have yet to find any work although I've been put forward for a few jobs (and am also continuing to apply on my own and keeping in touch with my network in case anything comes up). But I haven't had anything at all.

I've asked my agents to look out for part time work for me as well; I check in with them every week and usually I'm told that whatever companies I've currently applied to are still considering applications. This is fair enough - I've been on the other side of the process and I know that in large companies especially it can take some time for all the relevant people to review applications.

I'm really starting to think I made the wrong decision to take time out. I keep up with what's going on in my field and the wider industry in which I worked so I don't think my knowledge or skills have gone particularly rusty. I explain I had a career break on my CV and what I did (mostly manage the bloody house renovations). I used to do PA work years ago and now I'm considering going back to that but a) will anyone want me as I haven't worked as a PA for over a decade and b) will it fuck up my CV and I'll never work in comms again? I need to work (money isn't a huge issue atm but it will become so in a few months) and I'm terrified that by taking time out I've torpedoed my life

Please, any advice?

Financial services comms world probably does have quite a few people chasing not enough jobs so you need to do following

1. are you hooked into any specialist contract or interim agencies? If not sign up with a couple. There are a few head count freezes on in the banks at the moment so temps are easier to hire in.
2. change management comms is where money is being spent at the moment. You might want to market that as your USP if you have any experience
3. if you want to add flavour to your CV think about doing a PMI or Prince2 or similar course. The stuff is interesting anyway, is a good fit for comms specialists, is quick to do and will give you an edge.
4. be careful not to dwell on your time out and make lots of 'reasons' for it. I recruit all the time and there is absolutely nothing odd these days in seeing gaps and certainly not a gap of less than a year. I wouldn't even mention it in a covering letter. If asked in interview I'd just say I was made redundant and then dealt with a medical matter but am fully recovered now and looking forward to taking on a new role.
5. the job break is almost certainly not the reason you are not getting to interview. Could it be something else? It's probably just supply and demand, but have a think.

Marking place so I can show this thread to a friend I know is looking for someone like you. Will PM if any use.

I would strongly advise to keep rewriting your CV. Formats are changing all the time and you need to keep tweaking it so it doesn't look the same as other CV's.

Have you had anyone who isn't your agent but works in recruitment to check it for you?

Have you registered with agencies for work outside London?

Gaps in CV's are very common nowadays. I lost my job in 2008, started teacher training but decided agains working in teaching profession and no one held it against me so I wouldn't worry.

The market is flat right now - more contracts than f/t. Have you tried StopGap?

Same for me - city comms/marketing/web and it took me 8 months and I ended up working p/t in the 3rd sector. Pay awful but lifestyle a million times better.

I had a 7 year gap in my CV before I took the previous job at (at same pay trajectory).

Hang in there.

I would suggest trying for temporary/maternity cover positions. My daughter found that these were very much available and was quickly offered a ten month contract in her field (financial). After a couple of months in position she was offered a permanent contract.

My friend lost his mid level job in comms a few months ago due to restructuring. He's always worked in that field (late thirties). So far hasn't managed to find work of any description. He's had a couple of interviews but no joy.

An ex colleague of his, same field at a slightly higher level, but based in another part of the country, has now been out of work for a year and a half. Seems it's not an isolated incident.

Thanks again everyone for the advice and support. It is good to know I'm not the only one having difficulty; it's easy to lose perspective and think the problem is you! There are some really good suggestions here, and I feel more positive today; the rejection I got yesterday didn't help. I'm signed up with an interim agency, I have tweaked my CV, done all kinds of things. I know the market isn't great at the moment; unfortunately I only have a little change management experience but I should probably stress that on my CV.