2 knock-backs and feel on the scrap heap already...

[minko]

My youngest starts full time school this week and I am anxious to get back to work. In fact I might be panicking a bit... I applied for a couple of jobs this week and got 2 rejections.

I used to work in London as a magazine designer, and the main market for my skills are in London but we have moved to the sticks since having kids. I have worked from home on a few bits and pieces but now I really want to work in an office environment again. Thing is, jobs for my skills are hard to come by AND it needs to be part time AND local. (My DH works long hours and is not available for any drop-offs or pick-ups.)

It is so frustrating. I'm not really skilled for anything else though could do reception/admin type jobs. Part time work is so hard to come by... Any suggestions???

I would have thought that freelance work would be your best bet- . And maybe to get you known/and in the office some kind of voluntary work?

If it has to be part-time and local, then I think you need to cast your net wider and apply for any kind of office or shop work which you could manage. Once you are in one job, its far easier to move to another one, compared with getting back into th job market after a gap.

you see I don't agree - I think in this job market you are much better playing to your skills - and I would have thought it would be much more lucrative. and there are tonnes of people with expereince going for shop or admin work -

• I am guess OP that you could work full time if it was local - ie there are after school clubs/childminders around although I quite understand you might not want to - as sometimes you might be able to get a full time job and cut it back a bit

Hi, Don't be disheartened by rejections. There are so many people these days applying for each job that employers can be really picky. I would advise you to really check the CV you are sending - one spelling mistake and it goes in the bin, also, as you are a creative, I'd expect your CV to be beautifully organised and a bit special - not run of the mill. If I were you I'd send speculative applications out to companies who you'd like to work for - perhaps say you've available for freelance as well as permanent contracts.
Some people in the creative environment set up websites to show off their creative talents and experience - and include a link from their CV - I would only advise this if you can do this really well.
Good luck in your search! Keep motivated. :)