JSA Interview looming - Advice please???!!!!

Sloganjerry

Hi Guys!

Just thought I’d see if anyone has any useful advice for me on my present situation.

I was very lucky and grateful to receive fantastic support from people on this website earlier this year when I was made redundant from my job after 12 years. Since then I’ve been on JSA and searching for work. Unfortunately due to my specialised skills I have been unable to find suitable work. I’ve come to the conclusion that if no-one else will give me a job I’ll create my own and have accessed ReAct funding to re-train as a Holistic Therapist. I’m intending to become self employed eventually and am also attending a business course of about 10 modules that will help and advise me on going self employed; & help me put a business plan together, etc. Obviously this will all take time as I want to give my business the best start I can with proper planning and preparation (as is advised on my business course and everything I’ve read on the subject).

I’ve now received a letter from the Job Centre asking me to attend a ‘Personal Adviser Interview’ next week. I did have one of these on 13/10 and wasn’t expecting another one so soon?! It was like an interrogation rather than a helpful supportive advice session (which I was expecting) and that’s why I’m really worried about this next one and how it might go.

Now I must confess something…… (If I dare) ….. I haven’t been giving 100% to the job searching the last week or so …..There, I’ve said it! The reason being that I’m finally so fed up with it all after 5 months of getting nowhere and all the rejections; and am now really committed to doing the self employed thing; and would like to get New Enterprise Allowance if I can as I will become eligible for it very shortly, at 6 months.

What I would really appreciate is people’s thoughts on how to handle the interview. Should I continue to put my efforts into continuing to look for work (when there isn’t any anyway!), or should I say that I really want to put effort into becoming self employed and making a success of it? I feel I would benefit more from help now to get set up in my own business as this will mean I will definitely be in a job (self employed) within a few months. Rather than me continuing to look for work that’s not there – or will they make me do this?

A similar situation made me question things - as a friend of mine has finally found work (so chuffed for her!), but it doesn’t start till the New Year. She has been told to continue to sign on and will get JSA (even though she is no longer seeking work) until her job starts on 9th Jan 2012.

I’m hoping to start my business around the same time.

Any thoughts on this really appreciated! Thanks guys! :beer:

HappyMJ

Sloganjerry wrote: »

A similar situation made me question things - as a friend of mine has finally found work (so chuffed for her!), but it doesn’t start till the New Year. She has been told to continue to sign on and will get JSA (even though she is no longer seeking work) until her job starts on 9th Jan 2012.

She must continue to look for and apply for work. Easy way around it is to apply for things she knows she is not qualified for but don't take what she has said word for word.

You might be coming up to a milestone such as 6 months unemployed. They have targets and may just be trying to get you off JSA and onto your plan of self employment quicker but you don't want to start until Jan 2012 either so you must also still look for work and plan the business on the side.

morganedge

Dont worry too much about the interview.
I was unemployed for about 9 months and had a few of these 'interrogations'. I've since found a job and have been there for a few months (abeit through an agency, and have been working 10 hour shifts, 5 days a week doing back-breaking work)

The lady I had for my interview was, I think, one of the tougher members of staff who gave people like myself a very hard time. When I went to give my letter to the receptionist on the day of my interview, the guy said ''Oh dear, you've got Claire today...rather you than me!!'' lol.
It wasn't much fun, but didn't last very long.

Just grit your teeth and bare it.
Dont mention that you have been taking it a little easier on the job hunting recently.
Dont give them ANY ammunition. Honesty is not always the best policy with these people. You could say something silly that would be detrimental to your chances of receiving the new enterprise alowance.
I probably also wouldn't mention the self employment thing to them, personally.
Try to seperate the 2 things in your head ; there's the jobcentre people who you just nod and agree with and tell them how you are trying very very hard, and then there's your future plans for going self employed.