I used to worry about the stimulating job situation, and it can be frustrating. I write part-time also, to fill a gap in my CV. I think the job market is terrible at the moment for everyone...

Have you anyone who could give you a reference to fill in the last 2 years? I know it's a bit sneaky but I'm currently about to start job hunting and that's what I'm doing.  You could still say you were still working on a self employed basis but working at xyz in a temporary position.

Failing that could you say you were caring for a relative? travelling? Apologies if you've already gone down these routes but 2 years is a long gap to have. Just wing it (I think I mean lie ) if you have to.  I don't really condone fibbing but in our situation we have to bend the rules sometimes.

Maybye you could try volunteering and then get a reference from then? Basically anything to fill in that gap.

Good luck, I think what you are doing is very brave.

I have a friend who has a lot of education and almost no work experience. She is American and doing a masters, here. I advised her bluntly that even I (in my other life) wouldn't even interview her on paper, but that working with her for five minutes proves she is invaluable.
There are a ton of temporary agencies as well as placement agencies. A lot of my media friends have gotten some great experience and leads doing temporary projects. Some of them can even last a maternity leave!! And, it's not all that different from what we do. Some planning ahead, but some early morning calls. You basically have to suck it up and set your pride aside, and inevitably you wind up at some lovely places with cool people.
If you can type, speak in complete sentences and prove you are a sentient being, there are definitely long-term benefits to temping, first.
xx

Taylor, I know this may not sound very helpful, particuarly when you're properly knackered (physically AND emotionally) from the process of applying for jobs and going to interviews and then not hearing back - but I do think you are going to find something great one day soon!

It's also my experience that jobs were easier to get a few years ago, even though then I was a fairly useless teenager, than now - post-uni, I even went to a Starbucks interview with about 100 other applicants, including middle-aged men with briefcases! I did get the job (and enjoyed it, except for the "can barely survive on min. wage in London even living in a crappy flat with 5 housemates!" thing) but the whole thing was a huge process and it frightens me now I want to move into a new career soon - how can I compete against 100+ other applicants every time?!

But one thing I do know is that if you keep trying, something WILL come up. It's much more of a numbers game these days - if there's a low chance of getting a job, you just have to do that many more interviews til your chance comes. It's really exhausting but it will be so worth it cos once you've got something, you can start to relax while keeping an eye open for possibly better opportunities - a much nicer position to be in!

Have you tried looking up organisations that are set up to help people get back into employment, no matter the reason for them being out of the traditional job market? I know certain specific ones exist to help certain groups of people (Jobs In Mind comes to mind!) but there must be more general ones - perhaps linked to your local job centre? And I know those are some dire words to hear sometimes when you're used to being a very productive, hard-working member of society and have never wanted to sign on in your life! But there may be some other use you can find from the place. And if nothing else, a bit of support through a major challenge in your life can always be welcome.

Good luck OP, things are really tough jobwise at the mo, its so competitive in london and thats just for the basic entry level jobs. I have a degree but i found that it really didnt make a difference, someone with more experience is usually more desired. I would suggest the same thing as someone else and do a sneaky!!! get some friends to write your references. in the meantime if you can afford it, do some voluntary work, or an internship in the sector you want to work in, its a great way in

x