Is there any help out there?

GrammarGirl

if you live in Yorkshire, I used to work for a company called Future Prospects, based in York. They offer free, impartial advice for adults wanting to get back into work or learning and can provide you with an individual counsellor who will help write your CV and a covering letter, search for jobs with you and generally be the backbone to your job search.

They also offer short training sessions in interview skills, CV writing and the basics of web design, Photoshop and others, all for free.

I'm sure there are lots of independent businesses like this across the country - maybe your first point of call would be to look for advice and guidance for your OH, rather than just ploughing on with the job search.

CazandCo_2

Morning,

I've received the template, many, many thanks. We will go through it and try it out.
My OH is already registered at the online agencies and his old CV was posted to them all. He's signed on with the local job agencies, but they have never grilled him or mentioned anything about his CV as suggested by Goochie. The Jobcenter staff don't help with it either.

I am going to call the local College again today and ask if we qualify for help with the cost of the courses they offer. If they don't then it's a big no go for us. We just can't afford hundreds of pounds on one.

My OH is out most days at interviews and says that he feels that when he goes for interviews for packing or warehouse work that they can tell he's an intelligent man and are put off by it. He went for a job at the place i work, applied for a role in the manufacturing side and they said he was overqualified! Grrr. He would gladly work his socks off in any factory and knowing how hard it is to get a job, would not consider leaving.

It's so frustrating.

We did consider going to one of these companys that you pay to help you get a job, they help with CV and interviews, but again they are expensive. We'd have to put it on a credit card, but with no guarantee that a job would come about at the end of it, we felt it too risky.

Are there no free agencies that help with interviewing and check CV's?

DKLS

I wouldnt spend any money on a CV and interview service, especially if its going on a credit card.

I have found that agencies tend to "tweak cvs", sometimes to the point that I didn't recognise myself!!.

When he says he's not good at interviews, in what respect?, is he nervous, fluffs his answers, comes across badly.

My main tip for that would be to study the numerous websites offering tips and hints then practice, practice, practice.