Pauline,

I'm now unemployed for the second time in my life. The first time it happened I took the first job that came along. The interview for this job was appalling - I was gobsmacked by the rudeness and aggressiveness of the interviewer! I got through this ordeal, somehow, and managed to survive in the job for 17 years.
The interviewer was a pretentious and smug little prick whose bark turned out to be worse than his bite. It also turned out that, in the course of the job, I had very little to do with this oaf, although I was destined to meet people who were far worse. I soon learned that most of the 'bad' people were basically insecure and tended not to last very long. I also met some wonderful people who were a pleasure to work with. Since I was made redundo, back in August, a number of these people have given me a lot of moral support - for which I am very grateful.
For a sensitive person (which you obviously are), it is very difficult to get work into perspective. Like most people, I suppose the trick is to find a way of telling yourself "it's only a job".
My current situation is that I have a small occupational pension that I now have to supplement for the next few years (preferably with something part-time). I have recently had three interviews which look promising. I think that the last 17 years took their toll on me and I'm now searching for something a bit less pressured. The jobs which you are going for seem very pressured, to me. I wonder, have you thought of looking for something a bit more 'relaxing'? Such a job might not pay a lot but it might help you to ease yourself back into work and build up your confidence a bit - that's certainly what I think I need at the moment.
Hope this helps.