Experience of More Frequent Attendance at Job Centre?

GEEGEE8

Jack,

Don't despair. The job centre is just awful, but I think it's standard to go on weekly signing on for about 6 weeks at the 6 month stage.

Just apply for the jobs they suggest to you, in this economic climate it's unlikely you will even hear back from them!

I have heard that they do check to see if you have applied, not sure how true this is, but just apply anyway in case they do check.

If you are nearing 60, cannot type etc, then the person looking for an employee probably won't even consider you. It sounds like you are from a very different background.

I hope you find work really soon.

Can you send out CV's to local places that do the type of job you specialise in?

tinktinktinkerbell

tcr wrote: »

You weren't chosen randomly. People end up on MFA because they need "an extra nudge" back into employment. And that means you might have to lower your sights and shovel s**t like the rest of us.

rubbish, everyone has to do it after 6 months

sjc3

Jack

Best of luck with your continued hard work finding employment. I dont have much experience of your current situation but didn't want to read and run. Sorry you have had rude, nasty responses on this thread. Rise above it all mate and be the bigger person, they are just not worth it.

[Deleted User]

Swanseajack wrote: »

Good evening

Thank you to Mupette and Jowo for your very helpful posts, good to hear from you. Yes, I don't understand why certain people feel the need to post bigoted, rude, and unnecessary comments. Actually, my wife is a trained criminal psychologist so I probably do understand but I can't print the reasons here. They would do well to adhere to Martin Lewis' request when he advocates: 'Please be nice to all posters...courtesy helps". TCR, for one, kindly take note. I too have read some of your other postings and am really quite disgusted with the content. I also tried - and succeeded - to give up smoking, so please don't use that as an excuse for your ignorance.

Good luck to all the nice, genuine people on this great site, have a good weekend. Jack in sunny Swansea

Jack ignore tcr and the like,99% of people on here do their very best to help
back to your OP couldnt you do a covering letter thats suitable for all applications,along the lines of attatched is my cv and i`d be grateful for the opportunity to discuss your current acancy at interview with you....etc etc

HappyMJ

Swanseajack wrote: »

I'm really depressed about this, any help or advice on this would be most appreciated, thank you. Jack

Don't be depressed about weekly signing it's no problem. They actually spend more time with you going through the computer which of course has nothing appropriate but then they have to pick something for you to apply for. Keep applying for the sensible jobs that you are qualified for and send the CV to the ones they ask you to. It's no problem. It is obvious that you are overqualified for the jobs and employers will avoid you so I doubt you'll be offered any jobs from a few job applications at minimum wages. You don't need to change your CV to apply for car salesman positions if you don't really want to do them. As soon as they get your CV with Director of this and that they'll put your CV aside in the too hard pile.

Orville

Swanseajack wrote: »

Good Morning

I signed on as usual at my JC this week, and even though I had a 6 month interview a fortnight ago, which was very in depth, they told me I had been 'randomly' selected to undergo the MFA process (I think this stands for something like 'more frequent attendance').

So, now I have to go to the JC every week and go through the jobs they want me to apply for. Does anybody have any experience of this? Is it really random? They told me that they can't over-ride it, and even though they know I am doing all I can to find work, I still need to go through the process for 6 weeks and apply for the jobs they give me.

As an example, they have given me a data entry clerk job (I can't type) at £12,000 that I MUST apply for - not wishing to sound pompous but I was made redundant from a Director role and had a secretary who handled all my admin. They have also given me a job to apply for as a car salesman! I really don't know how to go about these applications. I am 60 and my CV obviously states my experience. I can't think what to put in the covering letters, any ideas? JC told me that I can't be obstructive and say I have been made to apply for this job, I have to show JC the application letters next week which must demonstrate a 'realistic attempt to procure the position and obtain an interview'. It will presumably be obvious to any prospective employer that I am overqualified for these roles, not least that I can't even literally do them, well, not the data entry anyway.

I know I'm a bit old fashioned and I've never been out of work in my life before now, but this seems ridiculous to me, a complete waste of my time when I could be applying for jobs that I have at least maybe got half a chance of getting. Since June I have applied for over 250 jobs to which my job log attests.

I'm really depressed about this, any help or advice on this would be most appreciated, thank you. Jack

This is what i do for a covering letter. Was told nothing too indepth as my cv covers it.

Dear Sir

Re: Terminal Assistant Vacancy

Further to your advertisement in this weeks Isle of Wight County Press, please find attached a copy of my CV.

I am currently not working, and am therefore available to attend an interview and commence employment as soon as required.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully




Obviousily change the attached to included for the CV part depending on weather you are applying on-line or by post. And change the place you saw it advertised too etc. If you apply on-line Bcc a copy to yourself so you have prove it's been sent should the JC staff ask for it. I would if your applying by post send it recorded signed for just incase too.

cheapychappy

Morning Jack,
Regarding Pension Credit you can apply for it up to four months before the date on which you want to commence PC i.e. your 60th birthday.
As it can take a bit of time for your application to be proceesed it's worth considering and you can always cancel it should you find employment.

Good Luck.

Mr_Falling_Star

The main reason that people end up on MFA signing is that the Jobcentre staff think you are working. This method is a lot quicker than a fraud investigation as it just ups the inconvenience factor in having to rearrange your life to sign on. Its not the only reason however and you can take heart that it only lasts a few weeks

WhiteHorse

They cannot force you to apply for named jobs.

But, lateral thinking ... co-operate to the full and then turn it to your advantage. Although you won't get the jobs because you are too highly qualified, you will get paperwork that shows that you have tried. Not only can you then not be criticised, you can throw it back at them - they wasted your time, the would-be employers time, and taxpayers money.

In similar vein, a friend was told that he would be forced to take a job for which he was unqualified. That complete lack of qualification meant that he would be a danger to himself and others. There was an argument.

At a later interview, he expressed his willingness to take the post, and handed over a form that he requested the Jobcentre sign. It acknowledged his lack of qualification and provided for an unlimited indemnity. They refused to sign of course, but he never had any problems after that ...

Two4Tuesday

Swanseajack wrote: »

As an example, they have given me a data entry clerk job (I can't type) at £12,000 that I MUST apply for - not wishing to sound pompous but I was made redundant from a Director role and had a secretary who handled all my admin.

Did your secretary type up your initial post on this forum too?

While I sympathise with people being sent for jobs that they are unqualified to do, your example seems to me to be plainly ridiculous.