Spill the beans... on surviving unemployment

Enterprise_Spirit · 23 November 2011 at 1:20PM

Go for it Greenalien.....and show the world how it's done.

Enterprise_Spirit · 23 November 2011 at 1:43PM

Having the misfortune to be unemployed does nothing to help your confidence and self-esteem. So if the jobcentre - who are meant to be a public service and supporting people back into work- start 'treating you like trash' then don't stand for it.
On occassion they take it upon themselves to stop benefits without giving any explanation, or indeed without even the decency to inform you. There are people accused of murder suspended on full pay. Yet should the Jobcentre decide to investigate an individual they will stop your benefit and effectively find you Guilty Until Proven Innocent. Months later, after you have suffered not just financial hardship but serious mental stress they will cough up the money you should have had. If you complain they will fail to reply or say you are not entitled to compensation.
Remember, you are entitled to be treat with respect. You can complain by email to the Chief Executive Office of the Department and Work and Pensions. Then again you could email your fairy godmother and the probability of receiving a reply would be about the same! So email your local MP and ask them to contact the DWP on your behalf. You are far more likely get a reply and compensation for any financial losses and stress caused.
So don't be treat like trash. Hold your head up high and remember -You have lost your job not your self -respect.

JohnnyBoy · 23 November 2011 at 1:55PM

My biggest recommendation is to get a hold of Stephen Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People". I've read many management/success books in my time and most are snake oil but Covey is the exception.

I first downloaded the audio book from Audible and found it a revelation. I now have a heavily annotated copy of the book and I also bought the companion text "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Personal Workbook", which helps you put the habits to work for you.

Adopting the 7 Habits makes you focus on what you CAN control & influence in your life. I've been made redundant three times (marketing departments are often the first hit with redundancies), the last time was February 2009. I came to the realisation that if I started my own business I can't fire myself! I now work from home as a freelance consultant.

Do you have a clear set of goals for your life? And are you taking action towards achieving them? If your answer to either question is no...

catm · 23 November 2011 at 2:01PM

Hi all,

Thanks for all the tips. I have always worked hard since being at school to get the best possible grades thinking It would benefit me from getting a good job in the future. I recieved 12 GSCES A*, A's and B's and 5 A Levels A-C. I have always worked since the age of 7 I would do odd jobs for neighbours and washed cars, then aged 11 I got a paper round. Throughout school, college and uni worked sometimes 3 jobs at a time to earn my own money and I like many have done some really dead end jobs. Despite what people may think about 'tax-dodging students', I have paid tax since I was 18 on any part time work I have done - I am 28 now.

I graduated with my first degree in 2006, and even though I have had a part time job (full time in holidays) throughout uni (obv not full time being a full time student) not many companies were interested saying I had excellent qualifications but I didn't have enough experience - how is that possible when you have just completed full time education??

I worked doing temping jobs until I had the opportunity to study for a masters (which I graduated from in 2008) and I still worked throughout my masters degree and since then I found more companies were interested in me and I did get a really good well paid job eventually - but this was on a contract basis, so not permanent. I have always been on the look out for a perm job and for a company to give me a chance since 2008 but been unsuccessful. With all the gov cuts I was finished (with one day notice) from my contract role in July 2010. I then signed on for 6 months, which was quite frustrating and depressing being 'treat like trash' by the Benefits Office. I spent everyday without fail looking and applying for jobs. I had quite a lot of interviews, and most of the time got to the last round - all the feedback was always positive so I did not know where I was going wrong.

I think the benefit system is totally wrong, the money you get it NOT enough to live on and it is unfair that someone who actually wants a job and who has paid tax for years gets the same amount as someone who has never worked, not paid tax, claimed JSA for years and has no intention of ever getting a job.

Since then I have been really messed around by companies. I re-located to London for a job but after 3 weeks they terminated my contract without a reason. I got another job and worked very hard, long hours and then after a few weeks I was not paid by the employer and forced to leave! I am currently without work and back to square one. I haven't lost hope but it is very difficult and frustrating knowing that you are more than capable to work but no one will give you a fair chance, I have lost a lot of my confidence. It's difficult I have tried applying for graduate level/junior roles as a stepping stone to work my way up the ladder again but I am rejected as to being not suitable having work/life experience.

Recently I have found that a lot of companies are quite happy to give you an internship ie. work for free. I know that at the end of the internship there will not be any chance to get a paid position with the company, as they simply get another free worker in.... A few people have suggested doing volunteer work which I would be happy to do and I have volunteered before but at this point I need money to live on.

Any help or tips would be greatly received as to where I am going wrong or what I could do better. Thanks very much.

vcb1981 · 23 November 2011 at 2:31PM

I have been made redundant 3 times now. The 1st 2 times, I had a job within 2 weeks, the 3rd time (Feb 2011) it took me 4.5 months to get a job (which is only contract anyway) so I do know how hard it is. Here are a few of my tips:
Get down the job centre and onto their website. I found a few jobs that got me interviews (didn’t get the job though!) and the JSA isn’t much but helps!
I set my own hours for each day (Monday to Friday). 9 am = go on web to check job emails, look around websites, call people etc. Once all that was done I would have lunch and then maybe go for a walk. Anything to just get out of my flat (with phone on full volume!). It's good to keep a bit of a routine but don’t bog yourself down too much searching on the web.
Sell things! I started selling things on eBay and made a few quid. Anything like DVDs, books, headboards, shoes, jeans, etc. People will pay for it! Save a few weeks’ worth of money in PayPal then you can transfer at end of month to look like a mini wage! It does take work and effort sometimes but have a look through loft, garage, spare room. That was one of my "afternoon" tasks.
Don’t be afraid to go into businesses, onto their websites or call them. Even if they aren’t advertising, they may still be looking.
Even if you have always had perm work in a good job (i worked in marketing) don’t be afraid to look at temp/contract jobs. Yes they don’t sound ideal due to finances, etc. but do many of them do lead into perm jobs and it looks good on your CV and proves you are hard working.
Have a few different CVs so you can send them to different types of companies. I have a professional one, a small company one, a general one and "stand out and quirky" one.
Don’t take it personally. Easily said than done, but remember how many other people are also looking and applying for jobs. Most companies (so i have been told) get in between 40 and 150 applicants for 1 job so there is A LOT competition out there. You will find something!!!
Also, don’t forget to review you standing orders, direct debits, etc. I bet most people pay £40+ for gym, yet when not at work you can just got a jog/walk for free!
Anyway, these are just a few things that helped me a bit when out of work.
Good luck all!

ThinkingOfLinking · 23 November 2011 at 2:35PM

Sell off anything and everything you can on eBay/to CEX/Cash Converters/on Amazon etc

Drop a brand and look for "Whoopsies". Plan meals. For me, when I was single, under 25 and on JSA, I survived on nothing but Value Porridge for a few months. I'd just vary it by adding jam, honey, salt, raisins, etc. My food budget was £4 a week (this included the milk I had with the porridge).

Walk instead of getting public transport.

During the day, go to the library to seek work (take your laptop and use the free wifi or use their computers)....keeping you warm and meaning you're not paying leccy bills for heating, light or the internet. This also stops you wallowing in your PJs all day as I did for a while at one stage.

Wear more layers in the house and take showers instead of baths.

deptfreemoneytart · 23 November 2011 at 5:52PM

I don't think the rules have changed, needs checking.
I was out of work from 1987 to 1998, during that time I applied to be a Foster carer with my wife who also didn't do full time work.
We had 2 bedrooms free and our children had grown up and moved out.
We were accepted and did some training. In the next 11 years we had 32 children come into and out of our care. It was the best time of my life!!!. During that time when the children were at school both myself and my wife would do voluntary work. I used to regularly do 50+ hours a week working for up to 4 different charities.
My wife and I were recognised for our voluntary work when The Queen invited us to a Garden Party in 2009.:)
Neither the foster caring or the voluntary work were taken into account with unemployment or housing benefit payments. The only points I had to be aware of were keeping our savings under a certain limit so as not to get the benefits reduced,;)
attending jobseeker interviews and keeping a record of jobs applied for.
Because we were paid so much for fostering we had a good lifestyle and we took the kids on many holidays and outings as well as having a good clothing allowance and large presents for both Christmas and birthdays.:j They were all looked after very well and we only ever had trouble with 1 of them.

We stopped when we were 50 as it was now our time to have some privacy.:beer:
I wouldn't advise being a foster carer when you have children under 15, as your children can become influenced by foster kids that have had a bad time before they get to you.:eek:

If this is not for you or you don't or can't get selected, DON'T DESPAIR.:(
Get a petrol lawnmower and knock on peoples doors and ask to cut their grass, wait till the spring obviously.:cool:
Advertise yourself for dog walking or house sitting.
Do some voluntary work and meet new people.
Whatever you do, DON'T just sit indoors, get out and keep busy.

I don't regret those 11 years of so called unemployment, I was keeping busy and doing things I wanted to do.:rotfl:

I've been out of work again since 2006, this time due to ill health, but I still do 4/5 hours a week as a volunteer litter picker:cool: in my local village. I get to talk to people and they are grateful for my efforts, plus the streets are clean.

keet83 · 23 November 2011 at 6:27PM

ellieellieellie wrote: »

When I was on JSA most recently (June to September this year), I was told I was allowed to do as much voluntary work as I liked, although that may only apply to volunteering for a registered charity. You can also do some paid work, although any income will affect the amount of JSA you are entitled to, as long as you are still adhering to the terms of your Jobseekers Agreement. Don't do any work, paid or unpaid, without informing the JobCentre, as this may affect your benefit. Ask your Jobseeker Adviser if you're not sure about anything.

It may just be paid/funded work then, like I say not too sure about the full details so thanks for correcting this for others

WhyIsSavingSoHard · 23 November 2011 at 7:42PM

You can only volunteer for a registered charity - I checked this out last month. There is a scheme where you can do 8 weeks (think it's for 1 day a week) of unpaid work experience with an actual company, but this has to be organised by the Job Centre. As has been said - Don't do anything without informing the Job Centre first. Also, don't think you can get away with doing some cash in hand work because I know people who have been caught and it's not pretty.

I've been out of work for over 2 years and struggled to even get an interview. 2 months ago, I had a job offer without an interview, but something happened and they weren't able to employ anyone after all. I'd also had my first interview in all that time and had a job offer which I didn't take thinking I'd got the first job. I had my second interview a few weeks ago and this week I've had a letter offering me the job starting in January.

For the last 20 months, I've had to survive on my own after a divorce and have been getting Job Seeker's and Housing Benefit which has been tough.

To add to everyone's brilliant tips, these are some of the other things I've done (and to note, I have to rely on public transport and family for transport)

Financially:
* I have a monthly grocery home delivery shop. I use Tesco and pay £3 for the delivery which is the cheapest they do here. It's easier, (I do it at least 3 weeks in advance so that I can go back and streamline it as many times as I want and always end up knocking a minimum of £10 off the original basket), cheaper than going by bus (£5.40 on the bus and I'd have to carry it all) and you get clubcard points which you can exchange for nice things.
* I buy frozen veg and steam cook them. Means you can have a choice of what veg you eat, they won't go off and there's no peeling or wastage.
* If I do go to the supermarket to shop some time, I don't go on an empty stomach because I know I will undoubtedly add things to my trolley and bill.
* I don't have a TV, so don't need a TV licence (which I can't afford). I watch everything via the internet. Ok, I can't watch TV at the time it's shown, can't get the freeview channels and can't record anything, but that's a small price to pay. And if I really want to watch something I can't get, I make plans to visit those I know watch it too. Why? Because I simply can't afford it.
* I check that I'm getting the cheapest deal on my utilities and switch companies if not.
* I keep an eye on Freecycle because it's amazing what you can get from there.

And a couple of things I would also suggest, but don't apply to me that much:
* I don't have a car. So, if you do, do you really need to use it while you're out of work? Calculate how much it's costing you and how much you use it. Would it be cheaper for you to take it off the road and walk, get a lift and use public transport until you get a job? Ok, so it's not as convenient to do that, but imagine the savings you could be making?
* While any children you have might not appreciate the fact that they can't have the latest iPhones and gadgets, make them aware that money's tight and while you'll do all you can to make sure they have what they need, luxuries will be few and far between. My sister's children know that I don't have much money and Birthday and Christmas presents from me will be smaller than they used to be. They totally understand and appreciate what they do get.

Getting a job:
* I know I'm repeating what Keet said, but definitely boost up your CV.
* Make sure you have a suitable e-mail address and preferably with your name in it. I recently got a hotmail one using my real name that I keep just for job applications. Since doing so, I've had more response and 2 out of the 3 job offers were given to me since I started using it.
* Don't do job applications in your PJ's. Believe it or not, how you look affects how you come across. It doesn't hurt to put on clean tidy clothes and brush your hair for this even when you're at home. You'll find that your voice is brighter when you make phone calls and you'll come across better on an application form. It really does work.
* If you have children at home, try to find someone to look after them while you make those phone calls. It'll help you to concentrate on what you're saying and what's being said to you. Most prospective bosses won't think much to you having to scream at your toddler to get their jam sandwich out of the DVD player :eek:
* The Open University has grants for people on benefits and low income. I did a course with them earlier this year and it was paid for by a grant.

Emotionally:
* Definitely try and get a support network around you. It's hard being on benefits and being knocked all the time. I've built up a great internet network of friends thanks to one of my hobbies and if I'm feeling low, they rally round me sending me messages of support and love. Never underestimate the power of the internet.

And I don't drink or smoke (wouldn't want to anyway), don't go to places socially and takeaways are few and far between. My benefit just covers my living expenses and basic food. If I want anything nice, need to replace something or want to give a Birthday or Christmas present to anyone, I have to save up for it out of my food budget or sell stuff on E-Bay. Nothing I've bought for my home while unemployed is new, it's all from Freecycle, family as presents or E-Bay. I can't wait to get back to work to hopefully be able to have a little cash in my pocket to buy even a magazine occasionally.

Aril · 23 November 2011 at 9:52PM

Having been made redundant this summer I initially signed on for the conts only JSA but was so put off by the attitude of the advisor I saw that I signed off immediately. I did however, use the Next Step service before doing so who were just brilliant-I'd already done my CV but they went through the covering letter with me and explained to me how to match this and my CV to any job profile I saw- I had several interviews.

With regards to interviews I rang the companies if possible to find the name of the person who was doing the recruiting so that even if I was applying online I could address a covering letter to the right person.

Emotionally it is tough- I coped by always thinking of what I could be doing next to find work rather than concentrating too much on the present. I tried all sorts- I signed up for agencies, trawled the internet and local papers, paid for an ad in the local paper [obviously not possible financially for everyone], put an ad in the window of a local newsagent and cheekily put out an ad on our local freecycle cafe which resulted in one of my jobs:D I considered all sorts and in the end have gone down the self employed route as I was finding in my field that although I have all the skills someone else always had come from exactly the right background. I'm also still trying to set up some voluntary work to keep my CV live. I also put an ad out on Gumtree.

Aril

Spill the beans... on surviving unemployment

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