6mth review: JSA and having to go for jobs/interview advice

ellie101

Hello,

I wanted some advice on the 6mth review. Just had one after being on JSA for 6mths, and now I'm meeting with the advisor once a month.

I've had about 10 interviews for the type of work I do, but no luck. I've asked the job centre if they have anything to help me with interview practice a couple of times. First time, they referred me to future pathways, who basically told me I was assertive enough and maybe lacking confidence (I wasn't working for 18mths as caring for someone). Future pathways, basically said I could come for some sessions, but made it clear it wouldn't be much good for me.

I also spoke to another website I was referred to, while useful it was probably something I could have got online myself. Really, I need mock interview practice, but all my friends/family are in a different city (where I'm looking for work) so bit limited.

Today, I asked the advisor about interview skills at the 6mth review, I was told there is some funding. She then mentioned "she was too busy" to look for the interview advice for me. I hadn't said anything to annoy her, it was just the amount of paperwork/things she had to explain that were taking so long. After looking through jobs I was told I had to go for one of the jobs on the screen (I have another interview Monday somewhere else which I'd mentioned).

Do I have to do this? It's not that I don't want a job, I'm very fed-up and want to work but if I do a full-time job that I can't stand I'm pretty sure I'll be leaving it eventually. I thought if you were actually having interviews that was proof you were trying? This job, was one she'd found, but there were hundreds more to look at, but the computer kept freezing. She then said I had to go for that one, even when I queried it and said I had an interview Monday.

I'd said to her previously that I was giving it until Feb then I was going to work p/t if I couldn't get a f/t job, come off benefits at the same time and do voluntary work so I had other skills to help me get a job in a field I've been training for at a later date.

The job she pulled-off was f/t wouldn't allow me to do this. It's really not about the money, the whole thing just seems a bit of a farce... she said there's loads of people in my situation who had other jobs before. Which I do appreciate, perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned that I wanted to wait until end of Jan/beginning of Feb to keep going for interviews in my field, then I was going to come off benefits (if I got the p/t work). The only reason I'm still looking for work in my previous area is that it pays 2-3 times as much, but I know I can't hold-out for that forever.

She did finish off by looking for interview tips after I said again I needed it, but the course she'd thought of was for over 45s, and she couldn't see the rest. She then mentioned she'd look for interview advice for me at the next review at the end of Jan.

I'm not sure if I'm asking too much to expect help with interviews, and if I should just go for anything f/t.. but then I can't attend interviews for anything else if I do start work.

Anyone been in a similar situation? I am considering just stopping benefits.. then I'm worried that the field of work the advisor is asking me to apply for may not think I'm suitable anyway (my experience is from 18-20 yrs ago).

E.

dmg24

You have been on JSA for six months, therefore you lose the right to limit your search options (most people lose this right at thirteen weeks). If you do not agree to the terms of your agreement, you need to sign off.

ellie101

dmg24 wrote: »

You have been on JSA for six months, therefore you lose the right to limit your search options (most people lose this right at thirteen weeks). If you do not agree to the terms of your agreement, you need to sign off.

I'm no longer limiting my search options after it was made clear. But I didn't realise if you were told you had to go for a job you had to go for it.

If that's not the case it doesn't make sense to tell someone that the one job they have to go for is the one they could find before their computer froze (other search options were added, but didn't get to those).

dookar

dmg24 wrote: »

If you do not agree to the terms of your agreement, you need to sign off.

The agreement is exactly that (and if one party does not agree what does that make it?) and, to be honest, is hardly worth the paper it is written on.

OP, yes you must apply for the job notified to you by the employment officer . If you do not you may face a sanction.

Of course, having notified said employment officer that you lack interview skills it would be harsh to sanction you for failing to get the job.

ellie101

dookar wrote: »

The agreement is exactly that (and if one party does not agree what does that make it?) and, to be honest, is hardly worth the paper it is written on.

OP, yes you must apply for the job notified to you by the employment officer . If you do not you may face a sanction.

Of course, having notified said employment officer that you lack interview skills it would be harsh to sanction you for failing to get the job.

Okay, thanks for advice, I'll apply for it.

I just read the action plan I was given. It should have been signed by me and the advisor, but wasn't. It was the one thing she didn't ask me to read through and it says "**** would possibly like help with interviews".

There was no "possibly" involved, every time I asked and especially today I was pretty clear about it. I'd complain but I guess the payback may not be worth it. I think they think I'm making it up.. but I do get really nervous at interviews.

Hopefully I'll get a job after the Christmas period... if not I'll be signing-off.

[Deleted User]

maybe just going for any possible interviews would help you get more interview experience?

KimYeovil

What's so magical about February? If you are confident of gaining part-time employment then they why not implement that strategy now?

You aren't going to get any interview training better than continuing to attend real interviews.

And even if you are offered the job you are being forced to attend (not very likely) why can't you take up your magical part-time work in February anyway? You are allowed to hand in your notice.

ellie101

KimYeovil wrote: »

What's so magical about February? If you are confident of gaining part-time employment then they why not implement that strategy now?

You aren't going to get any interview training better than continuing to attend real interviews.

And even if you are offered the job you are being forced to attend (not very likely) why can't you take up your magical part-time work in February anyway? You are allowed to hand in your notice.

The nature of the jobs I go for means I can get 2 interviews a week, at short notice. To get the money to travel to London I need to pre-book at the dole office (which isn't easy to do as it's busy).

Also, if I work p/t I then lose any money I could get to travel to interviews as no longer on benefits.

February isn't "magical" btw, there is a reason. It's to do with the job market I'm in. It was dire earlier in the year, but has now picked up over the last 6 weeks. January/February is the hiring period each year for what I do.

If I work p/t it's something I'll probably have to give up on doing (unless I see a job I really want) as it's no longer affordable to keep travelling for interviews. Trains are too expensive.

And no, going for interviews consistently doesn't help. The first 3 or 4, yes. After that you get general feedback (when no longer making major mistakes), but it doesn't help improve your skills that much.

You need someone who knows what to look for to help you improve and give honest feedback (not all employers do this).

I may not get p/t work in February, if that's not the case I'll be coming off benefits fairly shortly anyway and going for anything f/t. February is just a point where I'll move on if I have to as if I can't get a job then in what I used to do then I probably won't for months.

Jomo

KimYeovil wrote: »

What's so magical about February? If you are confident of gaining part-time employment then they why not implement that strategy now?

You aren't going to get any interview training better than continuing to attend real interviews.

And even if you are offered the job you are being forced to attend (not very likely) why can't you take up your magical part-time work in February anyway? You are allowed to hand in your notice.

Yes I agree, I'm not sure 'mock interviews' would do much for you as much as the real thing, the more interviews you attend the better for your confidence etc.

I hate interviews as well but I find that the first few minutes are the hardest, after that I kind of relax slightly.

ellie101

Jomo wrote: »

Yes I agree, I'm not sure 'mock interviews' would do much for you as much as the real thing, the more interviews you attend the better for your confidence etc.

I hate interviews as well but I find that the first few minutes are the hardest, after that I kind of relax slightly.

I think that's the thing... for most people they would work. But just got feedback from one I had this week.. said I was 3rd choice out of a possible 12.

No negative feedback at all, which sounds great, but it's my 10th interview. All I get is "you're nice and you'd fit-in". Trying not to get depressed about it but I keep thinking I must be doing something wrong and I'm just not getting honest feedback. Which is why I thought mock interviews may help if someone is being brutal. Not sure if being "nice" is working.

Maybe it's just a harder market and I should just change my mindset and be more positive each time I don't get anything negative.

Or persuade people I know to take some time out when I'm visiting them over Christmas.

Anyway, thanks for advice, I'll take it on board to stop being negative.

Jomo

Yes I think there are a higher number of applications per job which ultimately means you have less chance of getting it but I think you did very well if you came third out of twelve so you can't be doing so badly in your interviews.

It must be quite frustrating for you after so many interviews and that is making you think it is something you are doing wrong but you are probably really ok actually and it is just down to other factors that are out of your control.