Thread for The Unemployed...

HannahIOW

Right I have done a search and there doesn't seem to be a thread for us unemployed folk in terms of:

General support such as wishing each other luck when we have a job interview, perhaps tips for job interviews/CV's etc, encouraging each other to keep up the search and generally providing virtual hugs when morale is low, so thought a thread just for this might be a good idea!

Perhaps everyone new to the thread could post their situation as well? I will start off as being 24, unemployed since May 09 when I was technically craftily forced out of my job (long and boring story! There's a thread about it on here somewhere) I was on contributions based JSA until it was decided in November that I left my job without good enough reason (boo!) and am unable to claim income based JSA due to my other half working (self employed and gets hardly any actual 'wages'!) So basically seems I am entitled to zilch... but hey ho, I won't let it get me down.

So welcome to the thread, help yourself to tea, coffee and biccies :j

(feel free to delete this if there is another thread of this type, but I couldn't find one anywhere!)

BERFFRO

Good idea, I've been unemployed now for about 4 weeks not much i know! But it doesn't half get you down sometimes. I would be great idea to have an unemployed section as you said to wish each other luck offer guidance, etc.

My mind has been wondering over the last couple of days whilst i have going on my daily walks! Seeing a lot of empty shops, I've been thinking about drumming up some support for opening a drop in centre for the unemployed(there's nothing like this around here) There's a lot of unemployment around here and some dont even have access to the internet. Some maybe some tea making facilities, internet access and maybe get some employers round when there looking for employees for a friendly chat!!

My mind doesn't half wonder sometimes!!

leedsfan_3

Hi guys

i am also in this same boat at the moment but some advice i have is this, do not rely on the agency's.
If you can do some voluntary work it does really impressive on a CV and makes you stand out.
If you see a job but you don't have the qualifications, it may be that you have the equivalent qualifications for it.

I just received through an invite to interview at my local council.
I am waiting on the results of my shl test with centrica
and I am applying at CAB.

The first one one of these is a 2 day a week position but it is much easier to find employment when you are employed. So this is why I am not limiting myself to simply full time hours.

Fruitloops

I'm unemployed too and looking. It's frustrating seeing jobs that I know I could do but I don't have the specific qualification they ask for. I'm looking into doing voluntary work too while still job-hunting. Hopefully that will help in certain job applications

BILLIE

Hi Hannah and others - hope you don't mind me butting in as well cos I am affected in a way because OH has been out of work since Sept 08 (OMG 18 months):eek: Because I work full time we get zilch as well and sorry but I don't have a great deal of faith in Job Centre etc., I am now holding down a 2nd job as well to try and increase income slightly so that I can start to make a dent in to the debts!!!!:eek:
Anyway today I was talking to a lady (long story) and she works for the Job Centre (told her a few things) and she gave me a couple of bits of advice such as ask for work trials (go somewhere just for a couple of days to see if employer is impressed with you); but if you needs something like a CSCS card or FLT (fork lift truck licence) they will cover cost (not necessarily for you)
Job Centre never really offered OH anything not even support so I think it is a case of asking for everything. I understand they should offer to cover cost of suits for interview etc., (not from Next) but a suit is a suit.
I know it is demeaning and morale beating but the OH's who are working are affected as well, so as I say hope you don't mind me coming on board. We all need group hugs now and again and good luck to you all - will keep an eye out and help you if I can. Billie xx

bettybelle

Hi everyone, I will join as well if that's ok. I've been unemployed since end Jan, left my last job for health reasons but waiting on the JC to decide whether that was a good reason or not! I'm in the merit pool for the police service admin and they're still doing checks so I'm hoping and praying I get something soon!

((hugs)) to all fellow jobhunters

leedsfan_3

Hi Betty don't worry about the job centre. If your doctor thought leaving work was the right step to take, then that's all the matters. Did you discuss your illness with your then employer?

leedsfan_3

Hi Billie keep your head up
Is your OH entitled to no free training either then?

Truegho

Hiya. I think your new thread for the jobless is a marvellous idea! Speaking from bitter experience as one of those unemployed, I will certainly be supporting your thread through and through. At the moment, I am suffering yet another day of silent phone treatment (e.g. no employers ringing me in relation to internet jobs I have applied for - GRRR!). You know, I am getting to despise this whole fruitless business of job hunting. You just feel as if you are going nowhere.

Anyway, as I say, your thread is a great idea, and I am sure will attract much interest.

HannahIOW wrote: »

Right I have done a search and there doesn't seem to be a thread for us unemployed folk in terms of:

General support such as wishing each other luck when we have a job interview, perhaps tips for job interviews/CV's etc, encouraging each other to keep up the search and generally providing virtual hugs when morale is low, so thought a thread just for this might be a good idea!

Perhaps everyone new to the thread could post their situation as well? I will start off as being 24, unemployed since May 09 when I was technically craftily forced out of my job (long and boring story! There's a thread about it on here somewhere) I was on contributions based JSA until it was decided in November that I left my job without good enough reason (boo!) and am unable to claim income based JSA due to my other half working (self employed and gets hardly any actual 'wages'!) So basically seems I am entitled to zilch... but hey ho, I won't let it get me down.

So welcome to the thread, help yourself to tea, coffee and biccies :j

(feel free to delete this if there is another thread of this type, but I couldn't find one anywhere!)

BILLIE

Free training has never been offered to him - that's what I mean the JC are useless and it was only in conversation on something entirely different that I found out the above. Grrrrrrrrr..

weezy_gal

Hi All!

thought I would join in on this thread, I've been out of work now since Sept 08, started job hunting & signing on in Jan 09. I too get absolutley nothing anymore from JCP due to OH working full time. I must say I hate going to the job centre and dread it every fortnight I sometimes just wish I could sign off and never go back, it makes me wonder how these ladies that do not work pay their NI? Anyway, it's nice to support each other as you say it really does get you down sometimes. I'm finding it more and more difficult with applications because the majority of the jobs I see advertised you need to go through agencies and as far as I see it I've been out of work far to long for them to care.

oh well, chin up everyone!

I love the idea of an unemploymet drop in centre, if only we could all start one up to help but it's just not financially viable as you would never get the funding for it.