The Student Room Group

Feeling embarrassed...

I've been claiming JSA for just under a year now and I'm feeling extremely embarrassed each time I go to sign-on (every two weeks) at the Job Centre. I see the same Personal advisors every two weeks and I just get the impression that they think I'm hopeless and a bit of a waster really. I'm 20 years old, and I suppose I wouldn't really class myself as a student as I'm only only doing an evening course twice a week= 6 hours but I'm trying really hard to look for a job in retail and I'm not getting anything at all.

I'm not looking for advice on how to get a job, I'm just wondering if perhaps I'm overeacting and being a bit silly for worrying what other people at a job centre think about me. If you were a personal advisor at a job centre and you saw the same person attend the job centre to ''sign in'' for almost a year what would you think? Would you think they were hopeless :frown:

I just feel like everyone's judging me when I walk in and that makes me really awkward.

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Reply 1
*feel really awkward
Reply 2
how hard can you really be trying? 16 year old numbskulls with no qualifications get jobs in retail without any effort at all...
Reply 3
Umm, to be honest, I was kind of the same when I was on JSA, but you have to bear in mind that you're one of those people who shouldn't be ashamed. You're not claiming it out of laziness and because you don't want to work, you're in education and you're genuinely seeking work. It's people like you that the JSA is for, not for lazy spongers. You're entitled to it.
When I was looking for a job last year I got 2 within a week of beginning to look.

It is not hard to get a job so you can't be looking that hard.Even if it's just cleaning or something...at least it is a job.

If you are that bothered about claiming JSA you will look hard for a job and you will find one.
Reply 5
Get a job anywhere first, then start specialising in trying to get a job in retail. Doesn't matter what your job is, the retail companys will see that at least you do a job you don't ike in order to get one you do want.
Reply 6
chocolateflake99
When I was looking for a job last year I got 2 within a week of beginning to look.

It is not hard to get a job so you can't be looking that hard.Even if it's just cleaning or something...at least it is a job.

If you are that bothered about claiming JSA you will look hard for a job and you will find one.

It's not always that easy. For example, in the winter, where I live there is a tremendous shortage of jobs, so you can see a few job ads, and by the time you call them the vacancy has been filled, or if you get an interview you're only one of tons of faces.
Reply 7
If you're applying for the requisite amount of jobs, and you're getting interviews, then there's nothing to worry about, you're not useless. And you're doing your course to better yourself as well.

Claiming JSA sucks, because you barely get enough money to live on.

Have you thought about applying for other types of work - eg cleaning or bar work, because that's something that can fit around other jobs & study? I know it's not what you want to do, but at least it's a job.

I know of someone who was, I was told, on JSA for 3 years. That would have driven me potty...

The perfect job for you is out there, just keep on applying for everything, and to hell with what anyone thinks. You've got to do what's best for you, and while people may say "oh, just get a job" it's never that easy! 12 months ago I was made redundant, and I applied for so many jobs I lost count. I had a short stint temping, all the while continuing to apply for jobs, and after having had many interviews for all sorts of brilliant office jobs, I sent in an application form to a supermarket.

Six months later, I'm still with the supermarket, but I've started to look for other jobs because the pay is frankly peanuts. However it was a job and it covered the bills and meant I didn't have to worry quite so much about finances and paying the mortgage and so on. And of course, if you've actually got a job, it's easier to move to the next job, because you won't have a period of having no income, and employers (generally) like to see that you've been working hard recently.

If you tried your local supermarkets a while ago and didn't get anywhere, try them again - at least it's some form of retail, and if you plan things and keep your eyes peeled for the opportunities, you can rise through the company too.
Guffy
It's not always that easy. For example, in the winter, where I live there is a tremendous shortage of jobs, so you can see a few job ads, and by the time you call them the vacancy has been filled, or if you get an interview you're only one of tons of faces.


The two jobs I got offered were the week before Christmas,starting after Christmas....

As someone else said,maybe aim for more types of work....instead of just retail or whatever go for cleaning,office,waiting on etc.
Reply 9
chocolateflake99
The two jobs I got offered were the week before Christmas,starting after Christmas....

Clearly where you live has a lot more job opportunities during the winter. I live at a seaside town, and industry is very seasonal.
Reply 10
Anonymous
I've been claiming JSA for just under a year now and I'm feeling extremely embarrassed each time I go to sign-on (every two weeks) at the Job Centre. I see the same Personal advisors every two weeks and I just get the impression that they think I'm hopeless and a bit of a waster really. I'm 20 years old, and I suppose I wouldn't really class myself as a student as I'm only only doing an evening course twice a week= 6 hours but I'm trying really hard to look for a job in retail and I'm not getting anything at all.


Mate, I am a 'full time' student doing a law degree (3rd year of 4) and I'm in 4 or 5 hours a week of actually tutorials, lectures and seminars. So you're more of a student than I am, in theory.

I'm not looking for advice on how to get a job, I'm just wondering if perhaps I'm overeacting and being a bit silly for worrying what other people at a job centre think about me. If you were a personal advisor at a job centre and you saw the same person attend the job centre to ''sign in'' for almost a year what would you think? Would you think they were hopeless :frown:

I just feel like everyone's judging me when I walk in and that makes me really awkward.


Who cares if they are? You're not living your life to impress the advisor down at the dole office. you're supposed to be living it for your benefit. **** 'em.
TKR
how hard can you really be trying? 16 year old numbskulls with no qualifications get jobs in retail without any effort at all...


yep im living proof. ok im 19 now and im only on my 4th job ansd they have all been temp work but hey.

try for xmas temp work. if you do well then they may want to keep you on after. i know its hard and to be honest i think you just have to be lucky. i tried all summer to get summer work then i randomly applied to a christmas job i fancied and i start on sunday. very annoying considering how much effort i wasted during the summer lol
Do some voluntary work - charity shop, hospital visiting, helping with reading at a local primary school etc etc then you can claim JSA without feeling like a scrounger AND get stuff on your cv
*knowitall*
Do some voluntary work - charity shop, hospital visiting, helping with reading at a local primary school etc etc then you can claim JSA without feeling like a scrounger AND get stuff on your cv


genius
You're not a waster till you start injecting smack in the que for JSA.
Haven't the job centre put you on New Deal yet? When you've been claiming JSA for over six months you're supposed to go on New Deal. And believe me, on New Deal you'll find a job within a fortnight.
Reply 16
go to a bar staff catering company, they always accept new people and its not like previous experience counts, its just people skills.
Reply 17
TKR
how hard can you really be trying? 16 year old numbskulls with no qualifications get jobs in retail without any effort at all...

I've always hated this assumption. It makes me extremely angry to hear people talk like that.
Giliwoo
I've always hated this assumption. It makes me extremely angry to hear people talk like that.


i managed it and if i can do it anyone can. those kind of jobs are all about luck. they either fall into your lap with no effort or you cxan search for a year and no tget one.
How hard is it to even get a christmas temp job, with the possibility of going permanent?! How about if you apply for any job that comes along instead of being so choosy.