Jury service and jobseeking problem

jd87

I'm due to be a juror in just under 3 weeks time but my circumstances haven't turned out how I thought they would and I really really need to be excused. Basically, until recently I was a student at university. I was on a course that can be 3 or 4 years and I was expecting to qualify for the 4th year. This would just have been my summer holidays and doing jury duty would have been fine.

It turns out I didn't qualify for 4th year, so I'm now graduated and looking for a job. I need to find a job as soon as possible because I have no money. I can't be going to employers, asking for a job, but then having to tell them I need to disappear for jury duty straight away.

I have already deferred my service once because the date I was originally given was actually during my exams, so I don't think I can defer again. I just called up HMCS and explained the situation and they said they can't cancel me because they might be short of jurors. They said all I can do is write a letter.

What do I do? I know I can't just not turn up because I'll get a big fine, but if I have to do it it's really going to mess up my job applications.

jd87

But I'm applying for jobs that want someone to start immediately. I can't say to them yes I'd love to work for you, oh by the way I need to be away for 2 weeks (possibly more) for jury duty. I already have a week holiday booked in August that is probably harming my applications.

Don't get me wrong I'm not just trying to wriggle out of it frivolously. I was really looking forward to jury duty as it's something I've always wanted to do. This has just turned out to be the worst possible time for me to do it.

Oldernotwiser

jd87 wrote: »

But I'm applying for jobs that want someone to start immediately.

Surely the jobs you're going for can't only be available to the unemployed? Most people will have to give a month's notice and that would be on top of the 3/4 weeks the application process takes. I think you're worrying unnecessarily.

SevenOfNine

You've been asked to write, so write! It may be that your request can be better considered by someone other than the person on the end of the phone, so the sooner they receive your written request the better.

jd87

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Surely the jobs you're going for can't only be available to the unemployed? Most people will have to give a month's notice and that would be on top of the 3/4 weeks the application process takes. I think you're worrying unnecessarily.

Yeah you probably have a point. Being new to this job seeking I read "immediately" to mean within a couple of weeks, but I suppose the process is necessarily slower than that. I'll just have to hope I don't get a court case that goes on for weeks!

I am also applying internships that I think really do start soon (targeted at unemployed graduates, state "starting asap") but I'm not too worried about those.

BASFORDLAD

thats a very weak excuse to try and get out of jury service

Now sit down and do your civic duty!!

jimbms

So now you have graduated, welcome to the real world, the days of getting up late and dossing in the union bar are over, you now have to fit a job and jury service in together as well as paying bills and in some cases a second job, wake up call I'm afraid.

jd87

Last two replies totally uncalled for.

Jimbms: You don't know me and your stereotypical idea of a student is offensive.

Basfordlad: I already stated that I want to do jury duty. There are plenty of people out there who don't do it and make up all kinds of excuses. At least I'm being honest about the situation.

BASFORDLAD

As you obviously have no experiance of the job market an immediate start very rarely means start tommorrow. Also you may well be at the bottom of the pecking order when it comes to applying for jobs so you may not even get past the first sift.

Your excuse to defer jury service will not wash. So just do it and get it over and done with

jd87

Thanks but you don't know what jobs I'm applying for or what my experience/CV is like. Oldernotwiser gave me the advice I needed ages ago anyway. I will be doing jury service and I am pleased to be doing so.

BASFORDLAD

Well after 3 years @ uni you experiane of the job market is going to rather limited.