Your experiences of Unemployment

OutofIdeas

Good afternoon all,
Thanks for reading. I have unfortunately been out of work for two weeks now, the first time since I left school (about 13 years ago).
I have applied for around 50 jobs in two weeks and yet heard back from (or even had a acknowledgement) from around 10.
I have had to apply for Jobseekers allowance and had my appointment with the condescending little wotnot at my local job office.
But what I have really found most aggravating, is the lack of help and guidance that the local authority give you. Specifically on any benefits (Other than JSA) that you are entitled too.
Im not looking to be out of work for long, I have bills, a mortgage and a partner and 6 month old baby girl to provide for. I have paid my taxes since I was 16, so why do I keep being told ' sorry Sir you do not qualify', or words to those effect.
Has anyone else experienced this? Or any advice on how to get Working tax Credits, or any other benefits. Also if you were out of work, how did you get back into work? Any hints and tips all appreciated!
Thanks all!

Paully232000

Have a look at http://www.entitledto.co.uk/calculator/

which should give you an indication of what you might be entitled to. Fill in your details and comes up with an answer.

Sinhanada

I would also check with your local Citizens Advice as they will be able to give you the advice you need.

And good luck with the job hunting. One piece of advice I can give you is this: If you are filling out online application forms please remember to read the job and person spec closely. They will list on there items which are deemed essential \ desirable and whether it is application form or interview that they will require evidence of this.

Make sure you put details of how you meet the essential and as many about the desirable as you can. Please do not copy and paste the CV into the additional information - that makes me scream when I have to review that type of application!

And apologies if you found that condescending!

Sharon87

Use that calculator, you should be able to get JSA, housing benefit, council tax benefit, increased child tax credits and obviously child benefit. This is if your partner doesn't work or receive any other income

[Deleted User]

Working Tax Credits through HMRC is for them that work

Joining the unemployed pile, again for the third time just keep telling myself I started with nowt and I'm going back to nowt

Last time earlier this year I signed my JC were starting to combine JSA & Housing benefit together (think it was the new system coming in?) as I went to see the JC had a 'conditionality interview' and then forms arrived from my council saying the jobcentre had been in touch
hope they do the same again if not I'll just be visiting both I suppose, in the meanwhile it's time to re-active all my old jobsite haunts! On a positive note I did get some sense out of my doctor today, see all is not lost for once I felt really listened to there

Best of luck buddie - won't be long till we get our independence back

AP007

Sharon87 wrote: »

Use that calculator, you should be able to get JSA, housing benefit, council tax benefit, increased child tax credits and obviously child benefit. This is if your partner doesn't work or receive any other income

The OP has a mortgage so they cant get housing can they?

floopnoodle

Have you had someone experienced go over your CV/applications/covering letter?

Sounds like a tiny detail but it can make a massive difference. I used to work in recruitment and a big part of the job is taking a crap CV and making it better.

People write/overhaul their CV maybe 3-5 times in their life. There are not many things you can do 3-5 times and be good at.

DCFC79

The JC wotnots wont know I you are eligible for WTC, you can apply yourself, its easy to do. The wotnots at the JC are there just to check that you have complied with the agreement you signed and to mark you down as being present for your appointment.

AP007

DCFC79 wrote: »

The JC wotnots wont know I you are eligible for WTC, you can apply yourself, its easy to do. The wotnots at the JC are there just to check that you have complied with the agreement you signed and to mark you down as being present for your appointment.

According to the Tory MP on Sky today the JS wotnots are there to give advise and help you into work! :rotfl:

dancingfairy

Things that have been successful for me in the past/observations:
1) handing my cv in/enquiring in person if vacancies exist. Admitedly
these were retail positions and before a lot of online screening but there is a lot to be said for speculative applications in the field you wish to work in or using personal contacts.
2) jobs where you have to actually fill in an application form/ say why you are suitable for the job I've been much more sucessful at. These tend to be also where I've gone online to the company I want to work for and applied directly. I do think however, that long forms put people off so if you stick with them you have more chance. Also, I think a lot of people probably show poor grammar/spelling so, again rule themselves out.
3) Conversely I have found jobs websites to be not very useful. I have applied to hundreds of jobs via reed (and others) but it is sooo easy to just click and uploads your cv that hundreds of people do the same thing so it is very , very difficult to get noticed. Personally I don't think they bother after finding the first `10 people or so they want to interview.
4) recruitment agencies. I have had mixed success with these. I've found them helpful in the past but not having much luck with them in the current climate. I think a lot of jobs are looking for temp to perm now (which is no help if you already have a perm job and can't risk leaving with no job to go to). They might help you find temporary work/ temp to perm opportunities though and it very much varies agency to agency how helpful they are/how many jobs they have.
Best of Luck
df

aliasojo

AP007 wrote: »

According to the Tory MP on Sky today the JS wotnots are there to give advise and help you into work! :rotfl:

I saw that.

My first thought was out of touch he was with what was actually happening on the ground, it's not the same as the theory in his office.