Interview arranged by the Job Centre LMRA

clb776

I was recently told to apply for a job for a new store opening in my area, by the JCP which I did.

A couple of weeks later I had a call from the jobcentre advising me of the interview time etc.

When I got to the interview it was like a cattle market...there were people from the job centre there ticking your name off in a list, making you wait around etc. I then went upstairs, was greeted by another member of JCP staff who checked my name of a list (to check I hadn't found another way out and run off????). Was told to sit down and the interviewer would be out shortly.

And so began the interview, in a room with perhaps 10 other desks all being interviewed 'privately' in the same room. I didn't mind this so much asbut it was quite off-putting (it was not a group interview which I have been to a few of.).

Then the questions began...pretty basic apart from a question where I was asked when do I think it is acceptable to phone in sick, which I did not feel was an appropriate question (but thats just me!!) .

She asked me how long I had been on JSA for and why I was on it (none of her business if you ask me!!!), when I gave her the reason, I was greeted by a smirk, a funny face and then a nod as she wrote something down. (The reason is besides the point but I was not sacked or anything bad).

During the questioning I was not given time to elaborate on my answers, instead the first sentence I said was written down as my 'answer' and then whilst I was still speaking I was asked the next question!

I am writing this because I feel that I was spoken to in this way (very rude too!) maybe because I am on JSA? Maybe I have just been really lucky with previous interviews, but I felt that I was being looked down upon? I didn't let this come across (although her questions about why I am on JSA were not responded to in my usual 'interview mode')

But, I honestly feel that had I applied this via a different method I would have been treated in a much better way.

dmg24

Often where interviewed as part of a mass recruitment drive interviews can be like this - I wouldn't put it down to being on JSA.

clb776

dmg24 wrote: »

Often where interviewed as part of a mass recruitment drive interviews can be like this - I wouldn't put it down to being on JSA.

Oh, I never have been to mass recruitment drives, just found it all really off putting!

If I was in the position I would avoid them like the plague from now on!!!!

anna_p86

I wouldn't be surprised if it was the JSA thing...a lot of people instantly judge you if they hear you're on JSA. My boyfriend went through the same thing and it was very upsetting for him to be viewed as lazy or workshy.

It does sound like a unprofessional interview...I haven't got advice really, just wanted to let you know you aren't alone. My boyfriend luckily found work but I know he felt very dispirited when he was on JSA.

clb776

anna_p86 wrote: »

I wouldn't be surprised if it was the JSA thing...a lot of people instantly judge you if they hear you're on JSA. My boyfriend went through the same thing and it was very upsetting for him to be viewed as lazy or workshy.

It does sound like a unprofessional interview...I haven't got advice really, just wanted to let you know you aren't alone. My boyfriend luckily found work but I know he felt very dispirited when he was on JSA.

I am glad he found a job, hopefully I will soon! I keep getting very excited and then I don't get the job!!!! I need to stop it because I get too upset when I don't get a call or even worse a rejection letter!!!!

I felt like I was being treated like a second class citizen, I cried when I got home!! Needless to say I don't think I got offered the job either which is even worse because its like the most entry level job you can get (don't have a problem with that at all!!!) and I did it for years a while back!!