Signing on !

jessbob

Having had my 13 week interview a few weeks ago, have been signing on now every week (presume for 6 weeks going on previous threads).

I cannot see the point of attending every week, when all I am told is 'have to be quick today - too busy). At which point they ask if I have applied for anything in the last week (they don't make any notes of any applications I give them) and then it is a case of 'just sign there then' ,
. Whilst I appreciate I actively search for vacancies on their website daily (and about 50 other sites!), the Jobcentre have done absolutely NOTHING to help me.

What is the point of me going to sign on every week if they haven't the time to discuss vacancies etc with me.

They had a couple of new starters today - don't mean to be disrespectful in any way, but I probably can now see why I am getting nowhere in my applications for the DWP vacancies.

debtfreein4years

ive got my 13 week interview in a few weeks and am dreading being asked to go in weekly. i really dont see the point as like you i apply daily for jobs on various websites including their own. sending off my cv etc.

one thing that really bugs me about the job centre website is having to phone to find out how to apply for some jobs. to me that is a waste of money, both on my phone bill and for the job centre paying someone to do it. it would be much easier and quicker if they just gave the details on the website. whenever i've had to phone for a job they want to keep me on the phone on the basis of finding out if i am entitled to any more benefits. i know what im entitled to and its !!!!!! all.

jessbob

Tell me about it !!

When I ring the 0845 number on their website, I get some numpty who can't spell my name, gets my NI number wrong, and then gives me details of the WRONG JOB !

Hopeless

Delta-NC

Welcome to the Job Center Plus!

Really don't understand why they don't just let people sign on by text, would save the country a fortune!

(Then again, so would helping people find work!)

KimYeovil

Do they not provide you with help when you separately attend the Job Centre to study their vacancies?

Your signing-on appointment is to sign on and provide them information about what it is you have already done that week/fortnight.

McKneff

You must, for your own sake, sign on every time. This signing on also gives you your NI credit for the future.
In say two years time and if you lose your job or go on the sick you will not be able to claim because you will not have enough NI credits. You must have at least 2 full years credits (the previous two years) to qualify,
this also can impact on your state pension later on in your ife.

McKneff

jessbob wrote: »

Tell me about it !!

When I ring the 0845 number on their website, I get some numpty who can't spell my name, gets my NI number wrong, and then gives me details of the WRONG JOB !

Hopeless

Dont ring the 0845 number, it is so expensive. look for an alternative generic number on saynoto0870 its a brilliant site and saves me a fortune

jessbob

KimYeovil wrote: »

Do they not provide you with help when you separately attend the Job Centre to study their vacancies?

Your signing-on appointment is to sign on and provide them information about what it is you have already done that week/fortnight.

No They literally just get me to sign on !!!

jessbob

In fact, when I had a separate appointment, 10 minutes after my signing on appointment, which was for the completion of the insurance ABI1 forms, they asked for my confirmation that the previous adviser had looked through present vacancies with me, and discussed their relevance. Had to tell her that this was not the case, obviously

Louise22

jessbob wrote: »

No They literally just get me to sign on !!!

yeah!

They literally heard people in and out like cattle, don't they? They also are always late, which really annoys me because imagine if you were in 20 mins late to sign on....

jessbob

Troy_Verll wrote: »

Sounds irritating. Having to go all the way to the job centre to get a weekly welfare cheque. Such an inconvenience. Maybe you could get a job there because they obviously need more staff?

Have you tried going through an agency?

An even better thing to do, is target a business that you want to work for, find out the name of the managers/directors, then just give them a call out of the blue and sell yourself. That's what I did when I recently fancied a change and it worked.

There are currently thousands of vacancies across all areas of the country, it just requires a different approach to filling jobs - wasting time looking at websites isn't very pro-active and will unlikely achieve much. It's really just doing the bare minimum to be able to say "but I am looking for work". A job won't just land on your lap without any effort.

I would hardly say I am making no effort, thanks. I am not merely searching the websites - I am in at least 20 agencies, and I do contact firms and 'sell myself', as well as sending out prospective cv's.

As for the jobcentre needing more staff - yes I have applied for these vacancies.

Well done for finding yourself a job - but don't jump to conclusions and presume I am making no effort