DWP Job Offer...but I didnit attend the interview?!

willsonline

Have to say that looking back over this thread very few people have been said to confess and this is actually what you should do. Could be down to a simple typo/error in name etc. As others have stated the Civil Service recruit in and honest and open way and this would be incompatible with this.

Just own up. It won't exclude you from emploment in the CS in the future, and of course, you haven't actually lost anything as you're not technically entitled to the position as you did not attend interview!!!

Any news yet?

ictquizzer

mohthom wrote: »

Sigrid,

People want to work for the DWP because it's a job. There's not that many of them out there at the minute. Not only that, but it's not a bad place to work (flexitime, paid lunch breaks, good pension scheme, ridiculous H&S and union backing etc. etc.) - the only drawback being the people you'd have to work with.

For what it's worth, I DID make someone have a "!!!! day/week" when they made a mess of my application - because I paid for that application to be dealt with in a professional manner through payment of taxes (and yes, I have paid taxes believe it or not) and it was not. Complaining in this manner is one of the only ways to improve the system - be that changing procedure, altering computer software, retraining staff or cutting loose incompetent employees (though your implication is that the only type of effectual complaint is shouting, which is simply untrue - the most effective complaints are constructive, calm and reasoned). If, as you suggest, the member of staff has spoken to 'loads' of people who have received the wrong letter, I would suggest that either a system or a person is ineffective and should be removed from the system (and payroll) completely - such poor levels of working are totally unacceptable to me as a taxpayer.

If you work for the DWP, I'm shocked by your arrogant tone. Regarding the work being 'relentless' - in the private sector, you could either deal with the 'relentless' workload or go out of business, have no job, or be fired. It's only those on the public service gravy train that don't have to do this - another reason so many people look to be employed in the public sector. To be more than a month behind on the 'In' pile would have any administrator sacked in the private sector.

Addendum: I am also sure that should any HR representative send out letters confirming job offers to those that have not interviewed or undertaken company-standard selection tests would be disciplined/fired immediately in the 'real world' - why should the DWP be any different?

You're saying that you are PROUD to have made an administrator's day/week hellish by your manner???

I've got to take from your postings that you are trolling and on the wind-up - there's no way on this earth that I can take your attitude seriously - you seem to think that as it's a public body you can do as you with as it's your tax-paying "right". I just can't believe that anyone who is looking for a job would look to create this sort of reputation for themself at the application stage, nevermind criticise potential colleagues as "the only drawback". Do you really consider giving someone a hard time on the phone makes you attractive to an employer??

No offence and best of luck in looking for a job elsewhere, but I would hate to see you as the new person at the desk next to me - think you should start your search again outwith the public sector.

OP - sorry for going off topic, couldn't let that posting go without comment. I hope you get things sorted, being honest is the best way forward for sure. I think the thought of depriving someone from a job would be the sucker punch for me!

MrsE_2

aliasojo wrote: »

Lol...can't you just act as if you've gone to soooooo many interviews that month that you'd got slightly confused and you assumed you'd actually attended since they had offered you the job.

Thats what I would do;)

Cozworth806

Given that I have worked for a number of years as a visiting officer within CSA I can say that I have had my fair share of abuse, but little of it is directed at me personally unless I personally have screwed up, or failed to keep my promises.
In a team then sadly it is a matter of course that you will be required to take abuse or explain things that you have had no dealings with, but frankly that is the job. Deal with it and get on, and I am not happy with the "I can't do my job for the people on the phone", then it is managements job to ensure that you can, whether that is by having some available or whatever.
I would suggest that you keep trying to get through, it may be that someone who should have got the job has been sent the incorrect letter, or at least you can move on.

mohthom

ictquizzer wrote: »

You're saying that you are PROUD to have made an administrator's day/week hellish by your manner???

I didn't say that at all. I said that as a result of the inept way in which aspects of my application was handled, I raised concerns with that person's line manager. As a result, I'm sure they didn't have a very good day/week. I did not, at any stage, state that I'd abused any member of DPW staff and the presumption of this is pretty judgmental. I absolutely believe that when working for a publically funded office, members of the public should be able to expect a level of cost-effectiveness and quality from that office, and the service I received was well below the level that I consider acceptable. In a private company this level of service would not be tolerated, and it should not in public service either.

Also, I'll add that of those that I spoke to at the DWP, I would consider working with them a drawback, without a doubt. I have left jobs because I felt colleagues were lazy, ineloquent or incompetent (though always with something else lined up), and see no reason that I should apologise for this. If the level of conversation I had with those involved in the recruitment process is indicative of those I'd be working with (and I'm absolutely aware that this isn't necessarily the case - I have some very good friends work for the Department, although none at close to ground level), I'd find that very difficult indeed.

I shall now retreat to my ivory tower!

lili2008

A recruitment exercise of this sheer scale is bound to have a margin of error. If you can't show qualities of patience and politeness, Mohthom, then I doubt working in a job centre is for you.

onlyforboards_2

I just dropped in to see how things turned out and eep your thread has got hijacked!
I hope you get put into the next round of interviews.

ictquizzer

mohthom wrote: »

Also, I'll add that of those that I spoke to at the DWP, I would consider working with them a drawback, without a doubt.

...and you think that I'M the one being judgemental :rolleyes:


If you can't show qualities of patience and politeness, Mohthom, then I doubt working in a job centre is for you. (lili2008) - no more need be said! A tough skin is pretty much obligatory with this job, it's a million miles from working in the private sector with certain behaviours expected from customers. If you don't like the way your application is processed (you may have a very valid point, I'm not doubting this aspect whatsoever), would you be able to handle a customer (genuinely) telling you they were going to kill themself if you didn't pay them there and now (when there is no reason to do so and there is no way you can)? Begging with you that their kids going into care depending on your decision? Following you home or threatening you outside the office? Beating up a security guard in your office as you didn't give them a loan?

This - very sadly - comes with the job and all of this is based on personal experience. However, the very same people are there to be helped and the right person and approach can make the world of difference to them. It can be a very rewarding job depending in what area/department you work in but it takes a lot of digging to get there. I wouldn't dream of putting people off, but I would like people to consider what they are letting themselves into when applying - it isn't just your standard office admin type job (regardless of grade) - and yes, some people would say it CAN be so much more...

mohthom

I don't deny that I'm judgmental at all - I see it as one of my most useful attributes. I have no problem admitting that if placed in proximity to the people I spoke to on the telephone for extended periods I would have issues - and I'd see that as a drawback. Surely it would be folly to ignore this, particularly before committing to putting yourself in such a situation?

For what it's worth, I'm well aware of the issues facing customer-facing staff at the DWP, and as such I didn't apply to be one. There are other positions within the Department that don't deal with the public directly.

And yes, I do think that your message was judgmental - though I can see how you arrived where you did. The judgmental part was assuming that I'd made someone's day/week tough by my manner - and this isn't the case. I raised a number of issues in a calm and polite manner with the relevant manager (@sigrid), and we came to agreement about it. If you want my opinion (and I'm sure you probably don't!), I don't have a bad day when I am criticised for something I have done - I have a bad day when I am justifiably challenged on something I have done, and I believe the difference again is crucial. The issue I had has nothing to do with protocol, timekeeping or anything else that could possibly be the fault of the Department - only that of the person who caused me problems. The systemic problems I found with the department were discussed with my MP, who was glad to hear of them and is acting on them as we speak.

storminbalder

sigrid wrote: »

they would only have had to press the button once to send the letter out to everyone - thus making ONE mistake... not 100. I am NEVER behind on my "in" pile thank you, and by relentless I mean unable to do work because you cannot get off the phone for 5 minutes to people who want to ask questions which are answered in the letter thats been sent to them! I don't mean genuine questions or concerns!
Also if you wanted to make a complaint and change things how about realising that the person who made the mistake isn't actually customer relations? how about writing a letter or speaking to people in relations about the problem? Oh yea forgot to add in ramblings about tax! do you know i pay the council to empty my bins! and they do it ONCE A FORTNIGHT! :eek:

I for one am getting concerned for your sanity!