To think I'm unemployable

[Plabom]

I don't think I'm employable. At all. I want to work, but I have no skills.

I don't need to work and I'm very lucky with this as I have income from investments. But my actual employed history is very sporadic, unusual (from freelance copywriting to cleaning) and I don't have a career. I have an arts degree and I'm mid 30s. I feel pathetic.

The past 2 years DH & I have been trying for a family but now found out we can't have children. Now I'm having to let go of our family dream and consider what else to do with my life.

I have anxiety due to c-PTSD and I'm waiting for therapy but I think a part time job would help with my recovery.

Every job I see has 'experience essential' and I'm embarrassed to consider most jobs because of my age. My CV has lots of holes, I wouldn't go near me.

I just want a normal life. :(

I do understand. I am looking for work and finding it hard to convince employers that I'm a catch!
If you have an independent income, have you thought about retraining or doing voluntary work?

I don’t really have any advice but can sympathise about having a disastrous cv! I’m 29 and have never held down a job for longer than 6 months! I’ve been fired more times than I can count and just cannot seem to keep a job! On the positive side of things I do always get another job! You shouldn’t loose faith because whilst jobs are competitive, you will get one eventually!

It must be frustrating.

As you don't have to work maybe volunteering would be for you? Have you heard of the do it website? There are so many interesting opportunities and if you've got marketing and copywriting experience there are some places which would snap you up. This could then bridge the gap between getting experience and getting into paid work eventually.

good luck!

You know what? You don't know until you try. Why don't you put your CV together, with assistance if necessary (if you have a good honest, but supportive and positive friend, they can often spot the errors, and also ensure you don't undersell yourself), and apply to jobs that you think you'd like. The worst that can happen is rejection. But I think you might be surprised.

And take it from a 47 year old - mid-30's is FINE. I re-entered the workforce at 44, after 10 years off to do a degree and be a SAHP (I'm sorry you've found out that biological children are not possible for you at this stage, I hope you don't think I'm rubbing salt in the wound saying this).

I think you're underestimating your talent, your potential, and your experience. Go for it!

You can still have a family? Surrogate? Adoption?you're obviously not short of funds. Worth looking into every option if that's what you want instead of finding a way to distract yourself from what you want. Good luck OP.

Have you considered an apprenticeship? There’s a bloke at our work in his 50s on a business administration apprenticeship. Everyone thinks ‘good did him’ as far as I’m aware he’s had nothing but positive comments.

If you can't have your own children could you become a foster carer? There are not enough families for children to live with. You would get training and a tax free allowance which is a proper wage. You could do respite care if you did not want a permanent child living at your house.