On JSA, job interview in the morning - don't want the position

mumma2one

Bit of background : Made redundant last month, signed on to IB JSA.

Whilst in the jobcentre they printed some job details and I applied for them. I got a call asking me to go to an interview (it's tomorrow morning).

I thought great :T

But after researching where this company is based it will take me 2 bus journeys to get there and approx an hour travelling. I would never have applied if I had known it was so far away! Plus the bus fares I'd rack up over the course of a week if I was to get the job!! :eek: (2 buses there in the morn, 2 buses back in the evening, 2hrs travelling per day.)

I feel stupid now for not checking before I applied. What do I do?
Should I go to the interview and hope I don't get the job? What would happen regarding my benefits if I didn't attend the interview?

By the way - I have a young son, I'd barely see him if I got the job. I'd have to leave at 7.30am (before he gets up) and back at 6.30pm (he goes to bed at 7pm). Just wanted to make sure no-one thinks I'm being a slacker because I'm not, I do want a job - just not this one!

dmg24

Many of us have had to travel for an hour and more each way to work, that really is not a good enough reason to turn down a job. Perhaps you need to be more realistic about your expectations?

mumma2one

The travelling time is a big factor but also the bus fares, our local megarider doesn't cover the area I need to travel to, my bus fares would be a huge amount out of my pay. My last job I had to travel by bus, 20 mins, £8 a week.

If I wasn't a mother and have other responsibilities then I doubt I would even care and just get on with it.

And I'm not turning down a job, I've not been offered the job, it is just an interview. Should I go or not?

dmg24

Yes, you should go. If not your JSA claim may be sanctioned for up to twenty six weeks.

You were very lucky that your old position was so convenient. The JCP will expect you to be much more realistic now.

Oldernotwiser

A couple of points for you to think about?
1. How likely are you to be able to get another job?
2. If your husband's working, will you be able to manage without your JSA if you're either sanctioned or when the 6 months is up?
3. How much better off will you be if you get this job?

lynzpower

Definately go! They might not offer it to you in any case. If nothing else its good experience for interviews.

If you get offered it, THEN, speak to the benefits agency about whether you can refuse it.

Someone on here got their JSA stopped for not atttending the interview you dont want that to happen :eek:

Oldernotwiser

Yes, I was going to suggest you read the thread, "Jobseekers balls up".

DCFC79

Go for the interview and do your best, they may well say no thanks as they have better qualified applicants,

tonypop

This kind of thread shows how comfortable people can be on benefits, I have to travel and hour to and from work,and spend quite a bit of money on the buses.However the satisfaction that I have a job and still earn more than £64.30 a week is enough for me to get up in the morning.

mumma2one

tonypop wrote: »

This kind of thread shows how comfortable people can be on benefits, I have to travel and hour to and from work,and spend quite a bit of money on the buses.However the satisfaction that I have a job and still earn more than £64.30 a week is enough for me to get up in the morning.

I get more than £64.30 :rolleyes:
Anyway besides the point .... I was going to say - I will go and if I do get the job I will just have to keep applying for others in a better location for me & hope something else comes up quick. I'm suprised how many people jump on threads about JSA and think we are all scroungers. We're not. We want to do the best for our families and the amount of time/money for this job would not be best. I would however put up with it if I had to. I just wanted to see if I HAD to go to the interview that was all, not much point going to an interview for a job I don't really want if I don't HAVE to - it'd be a waste of time for me and the interviewer. I now know and have a plan of action. Thanks to those that offered me support and advice in my mad moment of panic :rotfl: (I do panic easily over things like this).

jdx

Go to the interview. Tell them the truth about your travel concers. If you get the job, fine. If the interview doesn't go well, also tell the JC about your travel concerns for future (baby may be a factor..?). It's not about expectations. It's about being upfront and not wasting any potential employers time because if you are appointed in the role, you may be late getting in. And that doesn't help you or them.

But do go to the interview or it will effect your IB JSA.

JC will be reasonable and find places closer.