Having a job gives my life purpose but nobody wants to employ me

DEAR DEIDRE: GETTING up in the morning with purpose is my dream. I’d do any sort of job but nobody wants to employ me.

I’m a 46 year-old woman. I worked as an office manager but my employers  restructured and I was let go.

I worked for the same company since leaving school at 16, so I’ve found unemployment very difficult. I can’t bring myself to claim benefits but I’m living off my savings.

I have had a couple of interviews but no luck. 

I’d clean or stack shelves – anything really to get me back into employment, but perhaps I don’t come across well in interviews. 

Can you help me?

DEIDRE SAYS: It isn’t always easy to find a new job but  you do have plenty of working years ahead of you where you could prove to be an asset.

You will also have good transferable skills given your work history.

You may wish to consider brushing up your skills and you can do this via skillsforlife.campaign.gov.uk, where you can find a free course with a guaranteed interview afterwards.

And please consider claiming your benefits, you have worked hard for years contributing to the tax system.

The benefits system is there to help people like you who want to get themselves back on track.

My support pack Help For Job Hunters is full of advice.