Twice a week we publish problems that will feature in a forthcoming Dear Jeremy advice column in the Saturday Guardian so that readers can offer their own advice and suggestions. We then print the best of your comments alongside Jeremy’s own insights.

My boyfriend graduated with a BA in film from a good university in 2009. Since then he has tried to follow his ambition of being a freelance camera operator, but, in a sector where budgets are squeezed, he hasn’t been able to find regular work that will pay the bills.

To top up his income, he has held down a full-time, permanent job as a junior manager at a well-known department store.

The company keeps promising him opportunities to move up the ladder but, having seen a stream of less educated, less able others be brought in above him only to fail and be moved on within months, or even weeks, (there have been three such colleagues since December), his morale is almost destroyed.

He is smart, well educated, a hard worker and is more than capable, which has been proved by his freelance work, which he continues to do, using his annual leave and days off.

He has also repeatedly proved his ability in his day job by training the managers that are brought in above him and doing the job when they inevitably fail and are let go.

He has had several interviews for other jobs, and several times he has lost out for not having the essential skills. More recently, he was told he was overqualified for a low-paid data management job in the film sector, which would have put him in an environment where he can use his degree and skills.

What options are there for someone in his position, who is capable of so much more but seems unable to find a job that will pay for his skills and abilities?

Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.