Job Interview with DWP

Tazz214

Hi guys, I would just like to put people's minds at rest about this job, I've been reading comments about this job being the worst job in the world and saying that you've got to be a nasty piece of work to do this job, well, I applies for the job back in 2009 and actually worked there for 18 months on a fixed term contract. This job is what you make it, if you treat the customers like crap then you will more than likely get abuse, however a lot of the customers are crying out for help and do not get it from JCP because a lot of the staff have been in the job for that long they have lost touch with how difficult finding a job really can be. I have to say that when a customer learns that you have sat on the other side of the desk and been through exactly what they are going through then their attitude towards you completely changes, it is not all about sanctions and forcing people to apply for jobs they do not want, I actually found this job extremely rewarding and managed to help a great deal of people back into work. For those of you that are successful just remember that not every person that sits at your desk is lazy and work shy, a great majority are there through no fault of their own and have actually been through some reanalysing difficult situations that lead them to sit infront of you, remember that and you won't go far wrong. One last thing, the job can't be that bad because I have applied again this time round, with the added knowledge of what to expect!!! Good luck everyone. X

fjrgal62

Hi, all

Thanks for the info on getting your test score. I'd heard it the other way around - that if you didn't get an email you'd not scored highly enough. I haven't had an email, so thought I'd flunked it. I just checked the feedback section though and I passed, wonder of wonders! Maths IS NOT my strong point :rotfl:

While I'm on, I'll just say I agree with you, Tazz214. I'm currently a band B Assistant adviser/FJR Interventionist. It's my job to interview jobseekers fortnightly and check that they are available and actively seeking employment and meeting the conditionality for receiving jobseekers allowance and any housing benefit.

I feel that if you treat people with respect and dignity you get it back. The vast majority of my signers are desperate to get into work. Living on £50.00 or £65.00 per week is tough, as is the 'job' of looking for work all the time. It grinds people down and many find it hard to cope with the feelings ; loss of self respect, loss of friends because they feel they can't keep up socially, the isolation that brings, living from hand to mouth a lot of the time, and many admit (either directly or indirectly) that they feel shame at having to claim at all. Many of those who kick off are only doing it as a reaction to these feelings, not as a reaction to you personally. Dealing with people with tact and compassion while upholding the rules is achievable. There's a way to do it and once you've got the knack of that, you're on your way. Sure, there are people who have no intention of finding work - they're very happy collecting their beer money and their housing benefit thank you very much, but in my experience they're deffo in the minority


Cheers

SGina

Tazz214 (or anyonw else who knows) did you have to take a test or did it go straight to filling out the application? Just started (and in the middle of) filling out application but I haven't had to take a test. Just wondered if that will come afterwards or I won't have to take it because I passed it about 2 years ago?

drwho2011

SGina wrote: »

Tazz214 (or anyonw else who knows) did you have to take a test or did it go straight to filling out the application? Just started (and in the middle of) filling out application but I haven't had to take a test. Just wondered if that will come afterwards or I won't have to take it because I passed it about 2 years ago?

test results are valid for 6 months.

you'll get an email with the link after submission

SGina

Thank you, drwo2011.

tinshed

Just a query really to those that sat the online test twice, were they the same questions both times? Just wondered if everybody gets asked the samething.

Seems a tad unfair if its not. If it were the old paper test then for certain all questions would be the same. To confusese my post even more, are the questions the same for each area?

Charityworker

Tazz214 wrote: »

Hi guys, I would just like to put people's minds at rest about this job, I've been reading comments about this job being the worst job in the world and saying that you've got to be a nasty piece of work to do this job, well, I applies for the job back in 2009 and actually worked there for 18 months on a fixed term contract. This job is what you make it, if you treat the customers like crap then you will more than likely get abuse, however a lot of the customers are crying out for help and do not get it from JCP because a lot of the staff have been in the job for that long they have lost touch with how difficult finding a job really can be. I have to say that when a customer learns that you have sat on the other side of the desk and been through exactly what they are going through then their attitude towards you completely changes, it is not all about sanctions and forcing people to apply for jobs they do not want, I actually found this job extremely rewarding and managed to help a great deal of people back into work. For those of you that are successful just remember that not every person that sits at your desk is lazy and work shy, a great majority are there through no fault of their own and have actually been through some reanalysing difficult situations that lead them to sit infront of you, remember that and you won't go far wrong. One last thing, the job can't be that bad because I have applied again this time round, with the added knowledge of what to expect!!! Good luck everyone. X

Can I just say that when I made that comment I wasn't talking about how the customers talk to you. I always found the customers to be nice people who mostly wanted to try anything they could out to get work. I was understanding towards the customers and they were respecting of me in return. Some of them still talk to me now and i still try to help them if I can (I'm a benefit adviser now). I was talking about how horrible the staff were. The people I worked with were the most miserable, nasty people I have ever met. I was about 20 when I took that job and in those days I didn't stand up for myself. I'm 41 now and theres no way I'd put up with that now.

FairyCakes

I can remember seeing a form on the civil service jobs website for declaring convictions etc. I can't find it now. Is it something you complete if you get an interview? I've submitted my application and completed the sift test.

Esoog

FairyCakes wrote: »

I can remember seeing a form on the civil service jobs website for declaring convictions etc. I can't find it now. Is it something you complete if you get an interview? I've submitted my application and completed the sift test.

That form is on th DWP website methinks and would be filled in after being offered a position most likely as part of the pre-employment checks,

moneysave3009

anyone heard anything yet...?
my application says its still processing