Job Interview with DWP

[Deleted User]

Charityworker wrote: »

I used to do this job years ago and it was the worst job I've ever had. You've got to be a REALLY nasty piece of work person to get on there and I just didn't fit the bill. Good luck to anyone who's going to do that job. Your going to need it. I don't think I could live with the knowledge that I will be sanctioning people with kids because they didn't turn up to a job interview 35 miles away. How do they sleep at night?

Sorry, I don't understand this post, I was under the impression that the EO job was working in a job centre helping people find work. If it requires you to be a 'nasty piece of work' I don't think I'd want to do it! Please could you elaborate on this a bit more and tell us what made it the worst job you've ever had? Thank you.

drwho2011

Deleted_User wrote: »

I am struggling to write the competencies at the moment having recently graduated and never actually completing an application form like this before. Does anyone have any advice as to what 'building competencies' refers to? Thanks guys and good luck!

I assume you mean building capability?

Its primarily about how you have improved your own skills and knowledge, shared best practice and helped others do the same within your team and the greater organisation.

The descriptors for the competency are on the original job advert.

[Deleted User]

Yes, that's what I meant, sorry! I am getting a bit confused with all this! I don't have a lot of job experience so I'm having to use examples from university which I'm struggling with. Also slightly worried about the numerical and reasoning test since I have dyslexia...starting to think I don't have much of a chance...

drwho2011

Deleted_User wrote: »

Sorry, I don't understand this post, I was under the impression that the EO job was working in a job centre helping people find work. If it requires you to be a 'nasty piece of work' I don't think I'd want to do it! Please could you elaborate on this a bit more and tell us what made it the worst job you've ever had? Thank you.

I think charityworker is referring to the enforcement on conditionality on JSA claims.

Unfortunately as part of the job you will likely come across people who are content to do the bare minimum, or who have claimed for years and never really been challenged.

It is highly likely that you will end up referring cases to decision makers where there doubt that the jobseekers agreement is being met and in those cases people have their benefit stopped temporily (while the decision is made). In cases of refusal of employment (not applied for a job they were referred to as suitable by JCP) then a sanction can last 6 months.

Unofficially many offices operate a policy where 3-5% of claims should be referred and put pressure on staff to meet targets.

Having said that it will depend where you work, places of deprivation tend to have a far higher number of "career claimants" often with complex problems like drug and alcohol abuse.

End of the day one of the responsibilities of any JCP staff is to protect public funds and that they should refer cases to decision makers where there is doubt.

I would like to point out that in my old office 99% of decisions came back against the customer so referrals I don't believe they are made frivolously, however staff generally dislike the referral process as customers sometimes get very angry and aggressive.

[Deleted User]

drwho2011 wrote: »

I think charityworker is referring to the enforcement on conditionality on JSA claims.

Unfortunately as part of the job you will likely come across people who are content to do the bare minimum, or who have claimed for years and never really been challenged.

It is highly likely that you will end up referring cases to decision makers where there doubt that the jobseekers agreement is being met and in those cases people have their benefit stopped temporily (while the decision is made). In cases of refusal of employment (not applied for a job they were referred to as suitable by JCP) then a sanction can last 6 months.

Unofficially many offices operate a policy where 3-5% of claims should be referred and put pressure on staff to meet targets.

Having said that it will depend where you work, places of deprivation tend to have a far higher number of "career claimants" often with complex problems like drug and alcohol abuse.

End of the day one of the responsibilities of any JCP staff is to protect public funds and that they should refer cases to decision makers where there is doubt.

I would like to point out that in my old office 99% of decisions came back against the customer so referrals I don't believe they are made frivolously, however staff generally dislike the referral process as customers sometimes get very angry and aggressive.

Thank you! Surely none of this makes someone a 'nasty piece of work' though? The original poster said:

I don't think I could live with the knowledge that I will be sanctioning people with kids because they didn't turn up to a job interview 35 miles away. How do they sleep at night?

I don't really understand this. If the job requires someone to be a bit of a sh*t I don't think it's for me, but I didn't get the impression that this is what it involved. Call me naive, but I thought it would involve helping and encouraging people to get back into work...

Esoog

Goldi; not everyone wants to be helped and encouraged; this is where there is potential for "conflict".

Obviously some people have differing views of their customers and their own role; I imagine Charityworker did not enjoy the role and found it hard to be motivated hence his/her negative impression. It's what you make of it I suppose (and what your managers do to improve the situation for you if possible..). It doesn't hurt to apply and find out about the job, perhaps you could speak to a current EO there and find out a bit about what they do and what they think of it (Although they might not tell you the truth!)

[Deleted User]

Esoog wrote: »

Goldi; not everyone wants to be helped and encouraged; this is where there is potential for "conflict".

Obviously some people have differing views of their customers and their own role; I imagine Charityworker did not enjoy the role and found it hard to be motivated hence his/her negative impression. It's what you make of it I suppose (and what your managers do to improve the situation for you if possible..). It doesn't hurt to apply and find out about the job, perhaps you could speak to a current EO there and find out a bit about what they do and what they think of it (Although they might not tell you the truth!)

Hi Esoog,

Thanks for your post. I can understand why working at the Job Centre might invite conflict with some customers but I suppose I'd be doing it mainly for the ones who want a job and are motivated to look for one as opposed to those who are just scrounging. Funnily enough, I wandered into my local Job Centre and spoke to an advisor about a few jobs I'd seen online. He was the one who recommended I apply for the EO position based on my 'nature' and qualifications. I had a really decent chat with him and came away feeling quite uplifted so my only experience with the Job Centre has been a positive one, perhaps that's not a reflection on reality though! I noticed that there were a few people on this thread from 2009-10 who were successful and, I assume, have been working in this post for a while. It'd be great to hear from them and what they make of the job.

AleksandrOrlov

I started my fixed term EO job in December 09 and finished a year later, moving onto a 2 year contract for local government.

I worked at London City office in Whitechapel, i thoroughly enjoyed my time their, off course their are those that blatantly want to 'sit below the radar' (both JCP employees and those signing on) and do what they need to do to avoid sanctions, but for the most part people do want to work.

I joined from 10 years in recruitment agencies and HR so was able to offer a great deal more than most in terms of job applications, CV's etc. I have again applied for the permanent positions and hope my previous experience goes in my favour......

[Deleted User]

AleksandrOrlov wrote: »

I started my fixed term EO job in December 09 and finished a year later, moving onto a 2 year contract for local government.

I worked at London City office in Whitechapel, i thoroughly enjoyed my time their, off course their are those that blatantly want to 'sit below the radar' (both JCP employees and those signing on) and do what they need to do to avoid sanctions, but for the most part people do want to work.

I joined from 10 years in recruitment agencies and HR so was able to offer a great deal more than most in terms of job applications, CV's etc. I have again applied for the permanent positions and hope my previous experience goes in my favour......

Thank you for such a positive post and for sharing your experience. It's definitely motivated me. I come from a counselling/ psychology background and so my experience isn't nearly as relevant as yours. Do you have any advice for someone applying for the first time? Good luck with your applications, I have no doubt you'll be offered a position based on your experience.

drwho2011

I also worked on a FTA contract from 2009.

I would agree with the above posters comments above and add that you need to be a particular personality type.

If you aren't capable of enforcing rules or are would have difficulty dealing with people who really don't respect you or the job you do then its not the job for you.

You can be the nicest and helpful person and still get aggressive behavior because for some people that's how they get what they want.