What is it like using the Job centre?

X.kaylem.X

I finished sixth form a few months ago and don’t plan on going to university yet, so I’ve been looking for either a job or apprenticeship because I’m in desperate need of money and just something to do but have had no luck (mostly because of a bad cv and lack of job/work experience) and my parents recommended going to the job centre since they’ll help improve my cv, help me look for jobs and of course pay me Universal Credit (which I really need right now for essentials/bills). I’ve heard really mixed things about them though, my dad lost his job a few years ago and says he had a great experience with them (tbf they didn’t ding him his current job, but we’re friendly and didn’t force him to do jobs he didn’t want) but most of the things I’ve read about them on different websites have been really bad, so has anyone used the job centre and can you tell me what it’s like?

Reply 1

StriderHort

21

Honestly, it just depends, they (DWP/JC+ go through phases of nice or nasty in terms of their policies and oversight and likewise you'll get good/proactive advisers and more cynical/challenging ones.

Generally if you make a claim after a long term job has ended they leave you alone for maybe 6 months and as in your dads case, there isn't, much pressure for them to apply for stuff outwith their preferences. However as a school leaver they will take a more intensive approach, they'll likely want you in their office more often and you don't have much option to say 'No' to anything offered, but if you engage with them in good faith and say yes I want help with my CV/work exp etc you'll prob be fine with them and they'll certainly arrange help.

Reply 2

X.kaylem.X

OP

5

Original post by StriderHort

Honestly, it just depends, they (DWP/JC+ go through phases of nice or nasty in terms of their policies and oversight and likewise you'll get good/proactive advisers and more cynical/challenging ones.

Generally if you make a claim after a long term job has ended they leave you alone for maybe 6 months and as in your dads case, there isn't, much pressure for them to apply for stuff outwith their preferences. However as a school leaver they will take a more intensive approach, they'll likely want you in their office more often and you don't have much option to say 'No' to anything offered, but if you engage with them in good faith and say yes I want help with my CV/work exp etc you'll prob be fine with them and they'll certainly arrange help.

Thanks for the response, I have mild cerebral palsy and my legs couldn’t handle working jobs like construction or something, would they still sanction me if they offer me a job like that but I don’t want to do it for health reasons?

Reply 3

StriderHort

21

Original post by X.kaylem.X

Thanks for the response, I have mild cerebral palsy and my legs couldn’t handle working jobs like construction or something, would they still sanction me if they offer me a job like that but I don’t want to do it for health reasons?

I've no exp of how that side of it would work exactly, but the short answer is no, they would take those needs into account and v likely refer you to a specialist adviser or an outside agency they work with to assess capabilities or barriers to see how they can move you forward.

People who expect to just sit on the benefits and not really make any effort to improve their situation while recycling excuses are the ones that generally end up sanctioned or otherwise in trouble and tend to be the ones who speak the worst of them.

Reply 4

JDINCINERATOR

21

Original post by X.kaylem.X

I finished sixth form a few months ago and don’t plan on going to university yet, so I’ve been looking for either a job or apprenticeship because I’m in desperate need of money and just something to do but have had no luck (mostly because of a bad cv and lack of job/work experience) and my parents recommended going to the job centre since they’ll help improve my cv, help me look for jobs and of course pay me Universal Credit (which I really need right now for essentials/bills). I’ve heard really mixed things about them though, my dad lost his job a few years ago and says he had a great experience with them (tbf they didn’t ding him his current job, but we’re friendly and didn’t force him to do jobs he didn’t want) but most of the things I’ve read about them on different websites have been really bad, so has anyone used the job centre and can you tell me what it’s like?

The Job Centre is an undesirable place for many but if you are committed to finding work by abiding by the Claimant Committment-you'll do just fine. I don't know how well they'll give you the tools to find a job. They should give you some leaflets and details that you can follow up to find jobs, but there's only so much they can do, most of the work is up to you. My advice is simply to be committed and fill out the forms they'll give you to complete.

Write out your job search on a daily basis if you can, if not just wait until the night before and write it all out. There are two sides you need to complete, one side is the steps you've taken to look for work, and the other side are for the details of the jobs you've applied for.

Hope this helps.

My experience with them was fantastic. Go in with realistic expectations though. I did all of the legwork in finding a job - they didn't find it for me. I met with my work coach once a week and it was just an update about what I had been doing to advance my job search/prepare for interviews and him asking me what he could do to support me - which was mostly done in the form of additional money for transport costs and proof-reading of emails I was uncertain of how best to word. I more or less knew what I was doing though and was just going there for the financial support while I searched. If you need other types of support (eg interview prep, CV help, etc) they can help with a number of things

I will say though that they weren't that friendly right from day one. It was once the employees at the job centre realised I really wanted a job and that I was actively trying to find work their tone completely changed. Maybe they assume most people are there to sponge off the system. Regardless, be prepared to put in the work. They'll support you as best they can and your relationship with your work coach will be good if you're making noticeable efforts to get a job. Aim to be one of the easier people they work with.

(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 6

gjd800

20

Not been near once in 15 years or so, but it was soul destroying until I got a new work coach who was prepared to work around my then-physical limitation.

There are good people in that job but there are a lot of cynics, too

Reply 7

StriderHort

21

Original post by gjd800

Not been near once in 15 years or so, but it was soul destroying until I got a new work coach who was prepared to work around my then-physical limitation.

There are good people in that job but there are a lot of cynics, too

If I recall right 10--15 years ago they were on a right crackdown on pretty much everyone, sanctions and claim closures out the wazoo, like if you were 10 mins late to an appointment they closed the claim completely, DGAF whether you slept in or were rushed to hospital. Far more aggressive staff and personally I got the unkind impression lot of these staff had been dumped there from other departments for being useless/obnoxious which tells you how much respect they had for the clients.

Reply 8

gjd800

20

Original post by StriderHort

If I recall right 10--15 years ago they were on a right crackdown on pretty much everyone, sanctions and claim closures out the wazoo, like if you were 10 mins late to an appointment they closed the claim completely, DGAF whether you slept in or were rushed to hospital. Far more aggressive staff and personally I got the unkind impression lot of these staff had been dumped there from other departments for being useless/obnoxious which tells you how much respect they had for the clients.

Yes this is my recollection, too. New govt, hammering the benefits stuff. They also recruited long term unemployed direct into the JCP front line roles, 3 of my mates ended up working for them and hated it. Just wasn't a good place to be back them, especially if you were trying to get anything done whilst living with a disability. They just weren't arsed.

(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 9

brandonbshah

7

Original post by X.kaylem.X

I finished sixth form a few months ago and don’t plan on going to university yet, so I’ve been looking for either a job or apprenticeship because I’m in desperate need of money and just something to do but have had no luck (mostly because of a bad cv and lack of job/work experience) and my parents recommended going to the job centre since they’ll help improve my cv, help me look for jobs and of course pay me Universal Credit (which I really need right now for essentials/bills). I’ve heard really mixed things about them though, my dad lost his job a few years ago and says he had a great experience with them (tbf they didn’t ding him his current job, but we’re friendly and didn’t force him to do jobs he didn’t want) but most of the things I’ve read about them on different websites have been really bad, so has anyone used the job centre and can you tell me what it’s like?

Hi, from my experience the job centre can be really useful. What they will do is push for you to find a suitable role and potentially request regular meetings as their priority is to get you from them into a job as quick as they can. What I would say is if you have anything that can affect your ability to work make sure they are clearly informed of this. Have known people who didn't and then end up being encouraged to take an unsuitable role. Hope this helps and best of luck with finding a job/apprenticeship! :smile:

What is it like using the Job centre?

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