MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Should Lofty hold out for his dream job?

zouzouni

He should take job. He'll only be allowed 13 weeks on benefit to look for his dream job before he has to take anything that comes along anyhow. Personally, I'd feel better about myself earning the money than getting it off the State and it'll look better on his CV than a huge unemployment gap.

Ebenezer_Screwj

Lofty should take any job that’s going as these so-called degrees from so-called universities are not worth the paper they are printed on and prospective employers know this full well. We now have an entire generation who are barely educated past primary level and who are totally ignorant of the wider world outside of moronic television personalities, mobile phones and “networking” websites.

ducky2004

I saw a TV interview with Duncan bannatyne who said at one point he was just out of prison and had no qualification. His solution - start his own icecream van business and said that is one job that no one can refuse to hire you - start you own business!

Look online for some internet marketing / affiliate stuff, or look for virtual digital products to be sold at ebay etc.

Often, university degress does not teach what the real work needs, but it is supposed to teach graduate how to think, and solve the problem/situation that they face !

pennypinchUK

Take the job, tell your employer you're looking for a graduate job so you may need time off at short notice for interviews. If they don't like it or are unwilling to give that flexibility tell them you can't take the role. There are other roles out there, maybe not glamorous but they're okay for the short term.

Keep a strict routine and apply for graduate jobs when not working (applying for jobs is a job in itself and requires discipline).

Add the role to your CV, marking it as "Temporary employment while seeking a graduate level role". When asked at interview why you're shelf stacking turn it around to your advantage. Tell them "I'm a determined individual and believe it's important to demonstrate my commitment to hard work. Rather than sit around at home, working at the supermarket is a short term role to help financially which will help me find a better role that allows me to fulfil my potential." Then tell them how your skills exactly match the job description for the role you've being interviewed for.

Employers like to see people with get-up-and-go. They know people often have few employment skills - instead they're looking for people who are adaptable, reliable, keen and motivated. Sitting on your back-side watching daytime TV doesn't exactly demonstate that!

ducky2004

Bpbill wrote: »

<<By mid 20's you should be well into a career a house and a lifestyle, not on your way to becoming a 30 y/o teenager.>>
I don't think I've heard such Thatcherite nonsense since, well the 1990's also there is certainly a place for your so-called "ridiculous courses". The world needs more than economists and teachers,actually teachers is not a good example there as I wouldn't want to blame them for the troubles of the world. After all teaching these days is not in the hand of teachers.

I can't see what this is some sort of Thatcherite nonsense. In many parts of the world, people works at the age of 7 just to make ends meet. There was never an option to not to work and wait for a dream job. Britain used be like that too in the Victorian era.

Go on with these I can do what I like because I live in Britian (a very rich country, for now) attitude, and the next generation will no longer have that luxury (not that most care of coruse).

wishface

ducky2004 wrote: »

I saw a TV interview with Duncan bannatyne who said at one point he was just out of prison and had no qualification. His solution - start his own icecream van business and said that is one job that no one can refuse to hire you - start you own business!

Look online for some internet marketing / affiliate stuff, or look for virtual digital products to be sold at ebay etc.

Often, university degress does not teach what the real work needs, but it is supposed to teach graduate how to think, and solve the problem/situation that they face !

just start an ice cream van business? Just like that?

Must be easy living in Bannatyne's fantasy world then.

Early_Lady

I think that there is a great misunderstanding here. The benefits system is not a cushion, and should be regarded as a personal choices option, the benefits system was created after the last war as a response to the appalling mid wars conditions. The benefits system is a safety net for those who have no choice, and it has suffered greatly from misuse and misunderstanding. It was and always was intended to be a short term help for those who have suffered a disaster. Lofty does not seem to be one of those people.

Lofty has been given, totally free of charge, education up to a certain age,and he has chosen to take it further.

The average tax payers of this country have no choice about paying tax, yet Lofty is making choices for himself that affect those tax payers.

He should get a job, any job and start paying tax, paying the rest of us back.

If you are in a job, you are more likely to be able to get another job, as you have work related experiences to demonstrate capability.

So poor Lofty feels that shelf stacking is beneath him? He has a nice degree and wants "something better" does he spare a thought for the taxpayers who have funded him in his education, his use of the NHS and any other "public" facilities he has ever used? The taxpayers who have not progressed through the education system as far as he has, are absolutely stuck with "shelf stacking" jobs, and who is lofty to deride them? without all support employment, such as street cleaners, refuse collectors, shelf stackers and so on, we would all be up to our necks in rubbish, waste, unable to get anything done, and would he appreciate their services then? He should start valuing different jobs and the people who do them a little more and realise how little he contributes.

He should get off his snotty soap box, and join us in the real world where bankers in US get arrested and in the UK they appear to get away scot free, and he should start paying the tab as a taxpayer.

Please forgive me for being blunt, but I have worked in the benefits system for many years, I have met many people who were too thick to realise benefits is not a career choice, but also met many people who would not have survived without help.

Bluntness is the new PC, arrest the guilty don't promote them.

cozlw

smiley941 wrote: »

Well I am Lofty!! (Well, same circumstance anyway).
I graduated with an Accountancy degree last year and started work at a bureau in the payroll department in Dundee. Unfortunately, due to split with fiance I've found myself living with family in Cornwall looking for work down here in a similar role. But nothing!! Moved here end Jan and still no luck! So, to cut to the point (as I'm finding myself waffling already), I applied with the local Morrisons who are taking on 300 extra staff to cope with extension and busy summer period. My interview lasted 5 minutes!! They were polite and friendly but basically told me I was over qualified and would only stay with them until something better came along as they were only paying mim wage. I tried to explain I was happy with the wage and to be back in work but they refused to offer me anything due to my degree!! They said it would be a waste training someone and then losing them. Training to stack shelves?? Anyway, my point is this.... Always go for whatever work you can, swallow the pride and think positive, but, when you fill in application for this work, DO NOT admit to having a degree!!!! I know it's dishonest, but not necessarily a big lie when all you want is work again!!!!! (my first post, hope I didn't waffle too much)

Iv been in a similar situation when I first graduated a couple of years ago, needed the cash and was turned away from several jobs due to being overqualified and they honestly felt they couldnt challenge me.

I say Lofty should swallow his pride, take the job (if he even gets it!) and continue looking for alternative work in the meantime. As a taxpayer, Im not happy to support someone who is ABLE to work because his pride is in the way. Take the job, stay focussed and remember its a short term fix.

monicamiller

Everyone needs to start somewhere. He can always quit when his dream job comes along…but with the recession and people who have higher experience and better qualifications he might have to be a sponger for a while before someone offers him the right job. I would be more compelled to hire someone who took initiative to pay their way (even if it was the most undesirable job) than to soak off the system. It shows they have a good work ethic and desire to contribute to society. Just because you went to university doesn’t mean you are better or more qualified than others doing the more “undesirable jobs”. Loffty should be actively applying for jobs while working at the supermarket.

ScoobyStew

monicamiller wrote: »

Everyone needs to start somewhere. He can always quit when his dream job comes along…but with the recession and people who have higher experience and better qualifications he might have to be a sponger for a while before someone offers him the right job. I would be more compelled to hire someone who took initiative to pay their way (even if it was the most undesirable job) than to soak off the system. It shows they have a good work ethic and desire to contribute to society. Just because you went to university doesn’t mean you are better or more qualified than others doing the more “undesirable jobs”. Loffty should be actively applying for jobs while working at the supermarket.

yeah totally, at the end of the day you are much more employable and more likely to get a job if you are already in a job.