My experience claiming jsa & getting a job

wanderhog

At the time of claiming I had been a 25 years old male, graduated with a 2:1 in a general business degree, a pass in a masters degree in management, and have utterly no previous work experience.

I went to claim jsa benefits for the first time. A year later and I still haven't been able to secure a job despite applying over 500 jobs, mostly entry level jobs requiring no prior experience or qualifications. Each fortnight I went to sign in and I received no help. The Job Centre Plus advisor just said things along the lines of oh you've been doing a lot every time she saw I applied approx 40-80 jobs per fortnight. At one time I was asked "Why don't you just get a job?" & other times "Have you thought about volunteering?" Are people at Job Centre Plus stupid? I had quite a list of voluntary jobs I've applied for on my diary. I even made the effort to write down every detail including advert ref number, employer contact details etc so they can confirm I wasn't lying. I ended up deciding to arrange an appointment to put me on this Work Programme a month before I would eventually be forced to go on it. I really thought it might just be what I needed, someone who helps 'place' me on temporary jobs to gain experience.

Turns out this Work Programme was just me having to report to a job agency several times a week in addition to commuting to my Job Centre Plus once a fortnight. I was often asked to sit in the job agency filling in envelopes for job applications because supposedly it makes a better impression. We all know they just want me to apply for jobs under their direct observation in case I'm lying about applying online in my own time and comfort.

Not complaining I did that. After several weeks I stopped receiving any further details on my next appointment for this Work Programme. Job Centre Plus did say the Work Programme advisor only gets paid if he manages to 'place me on a job' so I'm guessing he thought I'm one of those difficult to get a job type of person and moved on to someone else for quick money.

I eventually found a temporary sales assistant (mostly stacking shelves) job on my own. I contacted Job Centre Plus stopping my jsa and what a surprise, this 'advisor' for my Work Programme contacted me saying opps sorry for getting back you to so late but here's our next appointment's details. I informed him I found a job and he acted surprised and happy for me.

Next time I arrived at this job agency I met someone else because my advisor had left. Nobody informed me earlier on. So I showed this new advisor my CV and asked for help to improve it now that I have a temporary job. He said he'll make some changes, told me to keep my eye on my email inbox in the 'next couple of days', and arranged our next appointment a week after. After waiting two days I tried to contact this advisor by email and phone, asking him if he's made any changes to my CV and to send it to me soon as possible. He never responds by email and on the phone the receptionist just said he'll get back to me. Next time I arrived for this Work Programme appointment he just made very minor tweaks to my CV (probably did it on the day) and kept trying to influence me to apply for voluntary work. Is this his idea of 'helping' me? Once my temporary job ends after Christmas he expects me to volunteer and go back to claiming jsa. He probably gets paid if he managed to 'place' me in a job, even if it's unpaid.

Vejovis

how did you manage to get to 25 with no work experience at all? didnt you work during college and university?

wanderhog

Nope. Didn't work during uni. I only have one week unpaid work admin work experience during secondary school and I think I had help because the original company I had a phone interview with... I messed up due to nervousness. I'm not a great academic, been travelling around nationally, and well life just seemed to drift on and now that's that. I'm making the effort to pick up what I should have years ago and hope it's enough.

Owain_Moneysaver

wanderhog wrote: »

At the time of claiming I had been a 25 years old male, graduated with a 2:1 in a general business degree, a pass in a masters degree in management, and have utterly no previous work experience.

Hence the suggestion to do some voluntary work.

You should also be in frequent contact with your university's (universities') Careers Office(s) and your activities with them should include looking for graduate voluntary placements.

Vincent_Buenisedes

wanderhog wrote: »

... Are people at Job Centre Plus stupid? ...

Yes, unfortunately they are. It's highly unlikely that they or the Work Programme providers will lift a finger to get you into work as all they are interested in their targets and bonuses. My advice is to do the bare minimum to satisfy them both and continue with what your doing. Good luck.