Signing on first time

embelliss

Badger_Lady wrote: »

^ If your qualifications and experience warrant it, you'll be fine... but yes, they will try to be as "realistic" as possible and after all you are better off in "a job" than in nothing at all - nothing to stop you applying for better ones further down the line .

I was lucky to get mine within 6 weeks - any longer and I would have had to settle for less... which I was perfectly prepared to do.

So they won't be fobbing me off to the next available litter picker upper job or something (no offence to litter pickers)?

Badger_Lady

Assuming that's not what you're qualified to do, no!

For example, me with some GCSEs and a care background was being recommended for basic entry-level admin jobs.

My OH with a background in retail would be recommended for MacDonalds.

But my Dad who was made redundant from his job as IT Director of a FTSE100 firm wouldn't be forced to work in a warehouse!

embelliss

I previously worked in a call centre for a couple years, but I don't think I would beable to stand doing that again.

I have a degree in design- but I very much doubt there will be many design jobs floating around-
but would I still beable to say I want a job in design, or will they think thats impossible for me?

Badger_Lady

Depends on the area - you can certainly say it, and they'll have it on record in case anything comes up, but they will look for the most realistic alternative. Their role is to get you into employment, not to find you your dream job.

Best to wait for your interview with them (hoping you get a good assistant!) really, see what they say. I don't know what sort of jobs there are in Newport at the moment, but I know my company are desperate for call centre staff! :eek:

Oops, sorry... but then, we do pay much better than JSA and there's nothing to stop you building up your design portfolio and applying for other jobs in the meantime. Seems to be a better market for it in Cardiff..?

embelliss

Badger_Lady wrote: »

Best to wait for your interview with them (hoping you get a good assistant!) really, see what they say. I don't know what sort of jobs there are in Newport at the moment, but I know my company are desperate for call centre staff! :eek:

Do you work at admiral insurance by any chance?... I saw a few call centre jobs advertised by them.
I did enquire about it, but it involved travelling to Cardiff whilst the centre is still being built or something in Newport.
TBH I have applied to the uni, Not sure how that is going yet, but until then I do need a job- I'm kinda at a weird crossroads at the moment.

merlinormartin

I have a degree, diplomas and other qualifications; and was pushed to apply for all jobs; including KFC! ..so i think it depends upon your location, age and advisor ... i'm not sure about "litter pickers" but the people who work in the recycling centre receive good wages! lol

ALIBOBSY

As someone who has worked for the DWP just wanted to say that the other side of the counter as it were is no picnic!!!
Like any large company some staff are excellent some average and some, well to be honest, a waste of space. Some offices are much better than others as well, it all comes from above.
The amount of pressure you get from government targets and managers is unbelievable, as well as the daily abuse and lies thrown at you by certain customers. This type of customer means by the time you deal with a genuine customer it is hard not to become very cynical. I worked in the "back room" as it were and would have walked out if I had been asked to work on the front line now the screens have gone.
Recently in one of the local job centres a "customer" walked up to the counter and punched a member of staff before she had even said a word to him!!!
A few years back a customer who was refused a crisis loan basically stood and ahem "pooed" into his hands and smeared it all over the counter area. At least in those days we had bullet proof glass. We also had another guy who came in for a giro with a handgun shoved down the front of his pants, its alright he says its not for you guys :eek: .
It was rare for a week to go buy without hearing about a member of staff somewhere in the country being attacked. I even recall a member of staff at a job centre a few years ago being stabbed and killled with a screwdriver.

I'm not excusing rude staff behaviour, of course we have to try to treat everyone fairly and be as helpful as possible, but a hardcore of difficult, abusive and sometimes violent customers colour the staff view of customers over all. Doesn't excuse it and I always tried to do my best to help people, but may give a background to how some staff act.

BTW If you have a particular area of work you are qualified in they will usually allow a period up to 13 wks when you can just look for work in that area.

good luck with the job search

ali x

michaelvintner

Badger_Lady wrote: »

I think a pink velour tracksuit is traditional!

No, seriously - it's a matter of turning up in person, not interviewing for a job. When I was signing on, I took it all very seriously to try and demonstrate willingness to work, but they still treated me like dirt

Sad to hear you feel that way. My experience of the job centre was the complete opposite. The staff were great and never looked down on me. Maybe the fact that I was actually looking for work helped. Mind you I did not take it seriously. After working for 13 years I just saw the 7 months I was unemployed as a tax rebate. Got some of my tax money back.:rotfl:

michaelvintner

John38 wrote: »

DWP staff, whether in JCP offices or on he phone have got to be the worst bunch of people I've ever met in my life!!!

There even worse thane some of the Housing Benefit lot!!!

If your cocky, arrogant, have a really bad attitute, don't like working with people, and lack the ability to see where others are coming from, then I think I'll just mention that the DWP are recruiting....

That said, I once spoke to ONE man on the phone who was extremely helpful, but it turned out he was new!!!

Ok, how come you have had so many problems with them and I have not. They are there to do a job, if you go in with the attitude that you hate them then don't be surprised if they hate you back. Their job is to get you a job but you need to help yourself. All the jobs in the job centre were !!!!!, so I went to a recruitment agency, result one less person signing on.

flossy_splodge

To be fair, it is NOT only about how you behave. In my local area, one job centre is disgusting, namely Leamington Spa but a nearby town the staff are completely different.
I chose where I wanted to sign on as I might have had trouble restraining myself being spoken to as if I was dirt. It did help when I pointed out to the then senior manager that when SHE had the qualifications that I had, she might be entitled to talk down to me. Did the trick. Got treated acceptably thereafter but still transferred as I didn't want to observe others being bullied anymore than I wanted to experience it myself.
Good luck. Just use the place and the system as best you can and don't take things too personally. Would YOU like to work there??!!
x:eek: