I will try and keep this brief. I’ve recently left a long emotionally abusive relationship. I’ve name changed to avoid being linked with previous posts.
I have young children, one with additional needs. I gave up work when my youngest was born as I was only on a temporary contract. Then struggled to get back to work due to the pandemic and having very young kids at home then due to the needs of my other child becoming more apparent and her being out of school at one point.
I always planned to go back to work when things were settled but the longer it’s been the harder it’s been as I can’t talk about any recent experience in job interviews. I’m in my 40s but was applying for graduate level jobs at one point to get into a new area related to my post grad education but have been rejected from several roles now even though I thought my experience would stand me in good stead against younger less experienced people.
My ex (who was a very high earner) was very controlling and aggressive and so my self esteem, confidence etc is in the gutter and this probably has a lot to do with me not succeeding. I’ve also realised in recent years, when my child was being assessed, that I have adhd and am potentially autistic so this has made job interviews and assessments harder.
I’m feeling pretty stuck and despondent right now. I have so much to offer and actually need to get a reasonably well paid job to support my kids as a single parent and to build up a pension.
So I just wondered if anyone had any positive stories of coming out the other side of this or any advice to offer me.