Job Interview with DWP

[Deleted User]

drwho2011 wrote: »

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.

Thank you. This really helps. Personally, I am quite a sensitive person but I am not timid and don't have any problems asserting myself (though I wouldn't dream of 'fighting' with someone who is being aggressive). I worked in a bookies for years and had to deal with drunk and often verbally abusive customers which didn't bother me too much (probably because I was stuck behind a glass partition!) I'm assuming as part of the training you are taught how to deal with such customers and, even if you did encounter them, there would be support available to you?

drwho2011

Deleted_User wrote: »

Thank you. This really helps. Personally, I am quite a sensitive person but I am not timid and don't have any problems asserting myself (though I wouldn't dream of 'fighting' with someone who is being aggressive). I worked in a bookies for years and had to deal with drunk and often verbally abusive customers which didn't bother me too much (probably because I was stuck behind a glass partition!) I'm assuming as part of the training you are taught how to deal with such customers and, even if you did encounter them, there would be support available to you?

You'll have a few days on a training course for the basics called "keeping safe", but its something you'll learn on the job mostly.

Tbh a customer getting aggressive and throwing a chair because his claim was sanctioned for quitting his last job wasn't as distressing for me as a middle aged woman breaking down in tears after I asked "so how is your jobsearch going?"

There won't be glass screens generally. Only rooms in my office which were screened were the payment issue rooms.

[Deleted User]

drwho2011 wrote: »

You'll have a few days on a training course for the basics called "keeping safe", but its something you'll learn on the job mostly.

Tbh a customer getting aggressive and throwing a chair because his claim was sanctioned for quitting his last job wasn't as distressing for me as a middle aged woman breaking down in tears after I asked "so how is your jobsearch going?"

There won't be glass screens generally. Only rooms in my office which were screened were the payment issue rooms.

I think this would be the same for me. I'd have a lot more compassion for the person who doesn't display their angst through aggression. What I meant was, in the bookies we had glass screens which were protective, so I don't know how I'd cope with being so 'exposed' to aggressive customers. My main query was why one of the previous posters claimed you had to be a 'nasty piece of work' to be in a job like this. I would have thought you'd have to be the opposite.

drwho2011

Deleted_User wrote: »

My main query was why one of the previous posters claimed you had to be a 'nasty piece of work' to be in a job like this. I would have thought you'd have to be the opposite.

I've worked in a few JCP offices and never met someone who was a 'nasty piece of work'.

50Twuncle

Are ALL of the vacancies "customer facing" or are there any backroom jobs ?

drwho2011

21Twinkle wrote: »

Are ALL of the vacancies "customer facing" or are there any backroom jobs ?

Safe bet they are all customer facing.

Most backroom jobs are in benefit delivery centres.

AleksandrOrlov

Deleted_User wrote: »

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.

Not a problem

I did have people threaten me with violence and the like but these are few and far between.

I always made sure I sat back enough on the desk to avoid any physical contact....

More trouble with people not liking me asking why they had not done a job search, when JCP pay benefits on the proviso they look for work, not instead of.

I never liked sanctioning peoples pay even if they was guilty but it comes with the job....actually not strictly true I really enjoyed sanctioning some lazy bar stewards!!!

stranger.123

Haha lol classic

[Deleted User]

21Twinkle wrote: »

Are ALL of the vacancies "customer facing" or are there any backroom jobs ?

Most likely option will be Personal Advisor in a Job Centre, but you could possibly be a team leader in a Contact Centre, team leader in a Job Centre or Decision Maker in a Benefits Centre (or Contact Centre, but thats unlikely due to changes coming on Social Fund).

EO grade has a wide variety of roles, even if you do have a customer facing role to start with it doesnt mean you always will be.

tsimehC

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......

I think I know exactly who you are, haha. I remember you quite well for all the work yer did. Small world eh?

On the topic of bad customer experiences. I've dealt with the long-term unemployed (as in 2 years+) and had several rough encounters due to taking action on those that don't even try to pretend they don't want to look for work.

I'm not sure why I applied again but it's probably because the people I happened to worked with were awesome and helped me get through the day (something I missed before I started there). I don't hold much hope with my application as this time around due as I probably don't want it as much as I did back in 2009 and but I tried my best anyway.

As for the "nasty piece of work" comment, I know exactly what they meant by that. Some staff like to cherry-pick people who don't know how to challenge JCP staff if they're unfairly treated and when they do, they usually pass the buck to others. Nothing new and not exclusive to the Jobcentre employees IMO.