Whats the worst thing about being unemployed to you?

Glitzer

I was made redundant in December 2011. I used my redundancy to relocate from Bournemouth to Bristol with my son and DH as that is where my family live and I suffer from depression and anxiety, being closer to my family has always helped me (ie when I was on maternity leave and off sick I would frequently travel up to see them).

I started claiming JSA mid-January and my DH managed to find himself a job by cold-calling pubs.

I wasn't hearing back from roles I had applied for which I believed I could do, basic administrative roles. I have 5 years experience as a Business Analyst and Reconciler for an investment bank.

As I fell into the role quite by accident I didn't really know what to do with job hunting but registered online with Reed and Monster and uploaded my CV. Within 24 hours I had received 4 calls from recruiters all wanting to talk to me and all saying my salary expectations (at £5k more than what I was previously earning) were realistic.

On Thursday evening I got a call and I start a temporary role tomorrow. This is 2 weeks after uploading my CV onto the Internet.

However, I only have enough money to get me there tomorrow (job is in Bath) so I am hoping the Job Centre will be able to help me as I am due to sign on this week.

As for the question, the worst thing about being on JSA for me is being tarred with the same brush as long term claimants who aren't actively looking. The lack of money. How quickly your confidence gets sapped.

falko89

Glitzer wrote: »

I was made redundant in December 2011. I used my redundancy to relocate from Bournemouth to Bristol with my son and DH as that is where my family live and I suffer from depression and anxiety, being closer to my family has always helped me (ie when I was on maternity leave and off sick I would frequently travel up to see them).

I started claiming JSA mid-January and my DH managed to find himself a job by cold-calling pubs.

I wasn't hearing back from roles I had applied for which I believed I could do, basic administrative roles. I have 5 years experience as a Business Analyst and Reconciler for an investment bank.

As I fell into the role quite by accident I didn't really know what to do with job hunting but registered online with Reed and Monster and uploaded my CV. Within 24 hours I had received 4 calls from recruiters all wanting to talk to me and all saying my salary expectations (at £5k more than what I was previously earning) were realistic.

On Thursday evening I got a call and I start a temporary role tomorrow. This is 2 weeks after uploading my CV onto the Internet.

However, I only have enough money to get me there tomorrow (job is in Bath) so I am hoping the Job Centre will be able to help me as I am due to sign on this week.

As for the question, the worst thing about being on JSA for me is being tarred with the same brush as long term claimants who aren't actively looking. The lack of money. How quickly your confidence gets sapped.

Well done on getting a job :beer: It shows Monster etc work. I've always found Monster especially next to useless, with Reed a close second.

Tippytoes

I was unemployed for a period of time. I hated searching for jobs that simply weren't there. I hated always having tomorrow to get things done. Having no money was a problem, but I am from the generation which knows how to make do and mend.

The worst thing for me? Signing on every fortnight, having some spotty faced semi-literate tic (so-called advisor) talking down to me as though I was five year old. Don't mind rank being pulled when it's justified, but JCP staff have to be the thickest of the thick...and the most condescending.

Saturnalia

Definitely the stigma, being clumped in with all the professional doleys out there (of which I've encountered very few, but hey, we all belong to that group eh!)

Feeling ashamed when someone asks "what do you do?"

Being advised to try the supermarkets, waitressing etc. Yep cos when they look at your CV and see a degree on there you're not even getting an interview as they know you'll be off the minute you get a better offer. Even though most staff in those jobs don't stay long-term, I have years of experience of doing those kinds of job to see myself through college/uni, and the bosses know there are no better offers coming at the moment anyway.

Having way too much time in the day. And no funds to do anything interesting to fill it. I find I go into depression and become reclusive very quickly. If I need to go to the supermarket or clean the living room but have all day in which to do it, I'll put it off and put it off until it's the next day and I still haven't done it. (Funnily enough, I'm motivated to spend the whole day on my job search and will do so from 9 till 6, it's other stuff that escapes me.)

Realising it is 4pm and I haven't got showered and dressed yet, but what's the point if I'm not going out and no-one will see me, why waste a set of clean clothes?

No social life whatsoever. If I were to meet a friend in town for a coffee, it'd cost the best part of £10 for Tube fares and one coffee, and that's over a day's JSA money.

Hearing about people better qualified and more experienced than me struggling to get jobs.

Seeing job ads for receptionists where they ask for a 2:1 and 5 years' experience (reception used to be where you cut your teeth, not any more it seems!)

Trying to keep the faith when every time you switch on the news or look at a paper, the unemployment figures have gone up again, we're sliding ever deeper into recession and there seems to be nothing to feel positive about.

wantsajob

The fact I have never had a job, am 31, and know I have a disability which is rarely understood. While I know I am fully capable of work, I doubt I will ever be able to convince anyone I am the person to choose, against people without my difficulties. Oh and having 2 useless bits of paper, a First Class honours degree, and Pass with merit Masters.

Saturnalia

wantsajob wrote: »

The fact I have never had a job, am 31, and know I have a disability which is rarely understood. While I know I am fully capable of work, I doubt I will ever be able to convince anyone I am the person to choose, against people without my difficulties. Oh and having 2 useless bits of paper, a First Class honours degree, and Pass with merit Masters.

That's absolutely awful. Someone capable of getting the academic grades you did must surely be capable of doing a good job! I can't understand how employers would think otherwise. :mad:

I'm wishing for a lot better for you.

falko89

Saturnalia wrote: »

Definitely the stigma, being clumped in with all the professional doleys out there (of which I've encountered very few, but hey, we all belong to that group eh!)

Feeling ashamed when someone asks "what do you do?"

Being advised to try the supermarkets, waitressing etc. Yep cos when they look at your CV and see a degree on there you're not even getting an interview as they know you'll be off the minute you get a better offer. Even though most staff in those jobs don't stay long-term, I have years of experience of doing those kinds of job to see myself through college/uni, and the bosses know there are no better offers coming at the moment anyway.

Having way too much time in the day. And no funds to do anything interesting to fill it. I find I go into depression and become reclusive very quickly. If I need to go to the supermarket or clean the living room but have all day in which to do it, I'll put it off and put it off until it's the next day and I still haven't done it. (Funnily enough, I'm motivated to spend the whole day on my job search and will do so from 9 till 6, it's other stuff that escapes me.)

Realising it is 4pm and I haven't got showered and dressed yet, but what's the point if I'm not going out and no-one will see me, why waste a set of clean clothes?

No social life whatsoever. If I were to meet a friend in town for a coffee, it'd cost the best part of £10 for Tube fares and one coffee, and that's over a day's JSA money.

Hearing about people better qualified and more experienced than me struggling to get jobs.

Seeing job ads for receptionists where they ask for a 2:1 and 5 years' experience (reception used to be where you cut your teeth, not any more it seems!)

Trying to keep the faith when every time you switch on the news or look at a paper, the unemployment figures have gone up again, we're sliding ever deeper into recession and there seems to be nothing to feel positive about.

This is so true, I'd love to know who exactly is the prime candidate for supermarkets? Student? they're hardly gonna hang around forever, as soon as they get their degree they're gone, is it because they can get paid the lower rate of min wage?

Yes job hunting becomes somewhat of an obsession, I can relate totally, and I have very much became a recluse, my only real outing these days seems to be to the job centre every two weeks and the worst part I actually have no desire to go out now I've become used to it.

I've stopped listening to the news now, especially the local news as it seems like every week someone else has gone into administration, the only good side to this is it proves I'm not alone in this although it very much feels like it.

falko89

wantsajob wrote: »

The fact I have never had a job, am 31, and know I have a disability which is rarely understood. While I know I am fully capable of work, I doubt I will ever be able to convince anyone I am the person to choose, against people without my difficulties. Oh and having 2 useless bits of paper, a First Class honours degree, and Pass with merit Masters.

This must be totally horrible, best of luck mate, chin up:j

kate1512

Im at college finishing a childcare diploma, but cannot see any jobs available, i look every day. Ive never had a job before was thinking about doing some part time cleaning for local neighbours, while i look for childcare jobs. Do i have to declare this to anyone? Do i have to pay taxes? Bit confused about it all, but desperately want a job. thanks.

marybelle01

So all you unemployed people are fed up of everyone else labelling you as dole scroungers. You know what? I am fed up of all you uemployed people labelling us people in enployment as labelling you. I happen not to think that being unemployed = scrounger, and maybe I am weird, but I don't know anyone who does think that, Which doesn't mean that there aren't scroungers. But it's somwhat rich you all calling us in employment for making assumptions about what we think.

Yes, being unemployed isn't fun and isn't easy. Perhaps if you didn't start a new thread to whinge about it every day, whilst simultaneously raining on rveryone else parade by telling them that there is no hope for them, you might find some more positives in life.