Supporting a job-hunting graduate

dangalf

I think some of the posts on here are a little OTT. Not suggesting that he isn't old enough to look after himself but if there is a support network there to help him whilst he gets a job then all the better. For what it's worth I think it seems a reasonable suggestion to contribute a weekly amount towards travel costs. However, if you're not in a position whereby this is affordable then it would be perfectly reasonable to suggest alternatives that work for you.

It took me 4/5 months to get a job as a trainee chartered accountant when I came out of university 10 years ago. I worked part time in a shop to cover incidentals but had help from my parents in terms of roof over my head and food, and my Dad bought me a suit as a graduation present.
The job market at the moment is still not great, especially for graduates without office experience (presuming he's looking for a white collar/professional job). So it could take a while. I would suggest putting a time limit on how long you're willing to help out.

Ultimately it is up to you to work out how much and ow long you feel is reasonable as without knowing your personal circumstances I would not want to prescribe anything.

dangalf

having said all tat - £100 p/w is quite a lot of money just for train tickets, petrol and phone. Phone can easily be covered on contract of £20-£30 pcm. Not sure how much driving he would be doing. It also depends how far from London he is for train tickets but he should have a young persons railcard which would mean cheap tickets. So yes actually I think if you and his father are contributing to make £100 per week then this is excessive. I would suggest it could be done on £20 p/w from each.

TheConways

Goodness! When I graduated, I had a menial burger flipping job to cover expenses whilst waiting for my first job to start. I used money from that to buy a nice skirt suit from Next etc. My parents lived abroad, and didn't have extra money to help me - but I didn't begrudge that. I was just thankful I came from a family that valued education.

A little tough love will help this lad find a job quickly. It might not be his ideal one, but a little time in the "real world" will teach him more about life than being pampered at Uni.

FATBALLZ

onlyroz wrote: »

How long does he expect it to take to find a job? I thought it was the "norm" to get a job lined up *before* you graduated - but this boy seems to be anticipating months of job-seeking. Is it an ultra-specialised area? If a long job-hunt is anticipated then I think it's essential that he gets a menial job (e.g. more burger flipping) to pay the bills. Such jobs are plentiful in London.

Not sure what or when your experience is of university but it certainly wasn't my experience 6 years ago that most people were able to have jobs lined up before they even graduated. Sure a few people did but it was far from the norm.

The graduate scheme I got my first job through has now closed as well, finding a decent job out of university is harder than it's ever been. It took me 2 months to find a job and I was one of the more successful people on my course. You can't simply walk into a job at the office down the road like people used to be able to do.

I think people are being to harsh here, but I think £100/wk parental support is too much. I just about managed on my JSA when I was travelling to interviews across the country (up to 200 miles away), although it was a struggle.

I'd suggest dropping the support to no more than £50/wk, and if he hasnt found a job in the first 6 months then he needs to find a menial job to pay his own way.

melancholly

dangalf wrote: »

having said all tat - £100 p/w is quite a lot of money just for train tickets, petrol and phone. Phone can easily be covered on contract of £20-£30 pcm. Not sure how much driving he would be doing. It also depends how far from London he is for train tickets but he should have a young persons railcard which would mean cheap tickets. So yes actually I think if you and his father are contributing to make £100 per week then this is excessive. I would suggest it could be done on £20 p/w from each.

£100 per week PLUS JSA! that's more disposable income than most families! help and support is great but the idea that the OP should produce this much money is mad.

Greenbix

A lot of people live on a lot less. I think the amount you are giving him is absolutely reasonable if not a bit excessive at this point. Life should not be made too comfortable if you are trying to help him get a good job.

katie89

I finished my degree this time last year, and it took me until last month to find a graduate job in this economic climate, so be warned that if you agree to this it may not just be for a month or two, but for a substantial amount of time. In the time between I work 40hrs + a week at a local cinema, so I could stay in the city I studied in, rather than go home. If I had of gone home, I would have expected to pay my parents to keep me, NOT the other way around.

I don't think that you'd do him any favours at all by supporting him, it'll do him good to stand on his own two feet, as by the sounds of it he is seriously lacking in life skills.

Plans_all_plans

I personally don't think that a job hunting graduate should get any financial support from parents. Fair enough put a roof over his head and feed him, but fuel in the car and pocket money is too far in my opinion!

I was pregnant when I was a 21 year old "job hunting graduate" and while my parents fed and sheltered me, the message from my parents was "get a job, you certainly need to find one sharpish now!!"

He can claim JSA while looking for work I think. He could also ask to transfer his current job as another poster said. I don't see there's a big incentive for him to get a job if someone else is shelling out money to support him.

property.advert

the_cat wrote: »

...For the record JSA is specifically meant to be used for the expenses incurred in looking for a job

That is simply not true and you just made it up. You may wish it was but it isn't.

JSA is an allowance paid to people to cover their general living expenses. The claimant's side of the contract is that they are actively looking for work, to the satisfaction of their claimant advisor.

motherofstudents

I don't think you should be told how much to contribute, that is for you to decide. I wouldn't be giving him regular money for the simple reason that he needs to learn to budget for himself and be independant. One of my son's friends recently moved to a nice city centre apartment and had only been there for a few weeks when he lost his job. His mother now pays his rent for him and gives him an allowance. He has fortunately just got another job to start next week but he certainly didn't make too much effort to get it as he had no money worries at all. I can't see that being a good thing for a young person. I would do anything to help my kids, but only if it was in their best interests. I would just tell the father that you have kept his son until now and although you will support him, it won't be by contributing financially on a regular basis. Or, if you do want to contribute it should be on your terms and not because you have been told how much to give him.