Never had a job at 23; what will the JSA people say?

Original post by yozzo

Nothing wrong; I cannot slate anyone who has any job, since I have never had one myself. It just is not for me. I am far too ambitious. One life, one opportunity.

Ok, I call BS.

You aren't ambitious. If you actually are, you have the laziest way about it I've ever seen.
You're ambitious but didn't work at uni to get a good enough grade to join in with recognised graduate schemes.
You're ambitious but have no idea what you want to do.
??
Seriously?

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 42

Original post by Joinedup

I've always found them to be detached civil servants who go by the book tbh - the system's not set up to evaluate what you deserve, or your value as a human being. Just what you're entitled to under the rules.
(whether that's a good thing is another question)

They're not all like that. I think the problem is people only get to see them for 5 minutes every 2 weeks. It's hard to make a good impression in that time and still do all the things they need to get done.

The impression I had of the staff in my local office changed dramatically after I started actually working there. I know from my own personal experience that generally the staff do care and do want to help, and do so if they can. What they dislike is liars because it's just annoying to have people coming in trying to be clever.

Reply 43

OP

Original post by bloomblaze

^silly statement in bold ^

eg did high school not teach you anything??

I got one C at GCSE level. I was always too distracted at school. I actually believe I have ADHD/ADD.

really...........? the working environment teaches you a lot about how the world works, university is very academic/theoretical

It opened my eyes up a bit. I cam from a poor state school where about 2% go to university. No one in my family ever went to university. Plus, I studied Economics; you can learn a lot about the world from economics.

Reply 44

Einheri

18

Original post by gateshipone

Advisors don't have time to lecture people, they'll just make a note that you haven't got any experience. You have to choose 3 types of job you're looking for so that JCP staff can do a job search for you if they need to. They may ask how you've supported yourself but that'll only be to find out if you've got savings that could make your claim invalid. You have to have a decent amount though.

You have to have money in the bank? Why?

Reply 45

OP

Original post by h82think

Job centre advisor: "Are these details correct?"
You: either yes or no, if no then you'll correct them
Job centre advisor: "Come back in 2 weeks, make sure you apply for some jobs"

NEXT!

I applied online. Will they really just go over the details with me? I have been writing two page Q & As to prepare myself for this interview.

Reply 46

Joinedup

20

Original post by gateshipone

They're not all like that. I think the problem is people only get to see them for 5 minutes every 2 weeks. It's hard to make a good impression in that time and still do all the things they need to get done.

The impression I had of the staff in my local office changed dramatically after I started actually working there. I know from my own personal experience that generally the staff do care and do want to help, and do so if they can. What they dislike is liars because it's just annoying to have people coming in trying to be clever.

But I never tried to be clever with them and I wouldn't recommend OP or anyone else to do so... they were quite friendly tbh. maybe they were pleased to see me cos I seemed a bit more helpable than the alco's and druggies.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 47

Original post by Einheri

You have to have money in the bank? Why?

I mean you have to have a decent amount of money to make your claim invalid.

Reply 48

OP

Original post by gateshipone

Advisors don't have time to lecture people, they'll just make a note that you haven't got any experience. You have to choose 3 types of job you're looking for so that JCP staff can do a job search for you if they need to. They may ask how you've supported yourself but that'll only be to find out if you've got savings that could make your claim invalid. You have to have a decent amount though.

£200 in a bank account?

Reply 49

Original post by yozzo

It opened my eyes up a bit. I cam from a poor state school where about 2% go to university. No one in my family ever went to university. Plus, I studied Economics; you can learn a lot about the world from economics.

You can. However, it distinctly appears that you did not.

Original post by Einheri

You have to have money in the bank? Why?

No, the post you're referring to is meaning that in order to have a claim for JSA turned down you'd have to have an obscene amount of money in your banks.

Reply 50

Original post by yozzo

I applied online. Will they really just go over the details with me? I have been writing two page Q & As to prepare myself for this interview.

You can't be for real...

Reply 51

OP

Original post by bloomblaze

didnt university give you some idea of what type of work you want??

It did. I studied Economics which covered a wide range of subjects (accounting, business, finance, marketing, etc) and I do have an idea. However, these are graduate type jobs. Someone in my position has no hope of this type of job. Maccies, BK, Kwik Save, maybe.

Reply 52

Original post by yozzo

I applied online. Will they really just go over the details with me? I have been writing two page Q & As to prepare myself for this interview.

They'll confirm those details are correct, collect any that haven't already been collected and then go through what kind of work you're looking for and compile a jobseekers agreement.

I've never heard of anyone coming in after doing prep work. What could they possibly ask that you don't have an answer for?

Reply 53

OP

Original post by Drewski

Something tells me he didn't pay that much attention...

I paid lots of attention. But, when you have ADD, SAD, OCPD, PERFECTIONISM, INSOMNIA, OCD, it is not easy to come out of university with a good degree.

Reply 54

Original post by yozzo

£200 in a bank account?

That's fine. It's only when you get into the thousands that it becomes an issue.

Reply 55

bloomblaze

17

Original post by yozzo

It opened my eyes up a bit. I cam from a poor state school where about 2% go to university. No one in my family ever went to university. Plus, I studied Economics; you can learn a lot about the world from economics.

i agree with the bit in bold.

Although trust me, you have a lot to learn about life if you havnt worked before. Things like time management, dealing with the general public, how to handle difficult people etc etc are things i learned from work.

There are many things in life that a classroom/education just cant teach

Reply 56

OP

Original post by Drewski

Ok, I call BS.

You aren't ambitious. If you actually are, you have the laziest way about it I've ever seen.
You're ambitious but didn't work at uni to get a good enough grade to join in with recognised graduate schemes.
You're ambitious but have no idea what you want to do.
??
Seriously?

I suffer from a number of mental disorders.

Reply 57