Travel to interview allowance/Suit Allowance

JustOnce

duchy wrote: »

If the train fare is £100 I think I'd have preferred them to shell out for the fares and spent time trawling the charity shops for a designer suit as you are time rich and cash poor at the moment.

A one off suit payment is all very well but it will be held against you if you ask for fares to other interviews later.

Yeah I kind of figured this is the case, so I also a have a "pot" I've been chucking cash to use as a war chest if the help does run out, and I make a point of letting them know when I've paid out of my own cash to travel to interviews (well two so far).

Though if it does come to the point I run out of cash for this stuff, then I guess I'll have to concentrate on mainly overseas jobs where I can conduct the interviews via Skype. And possibly speak to the veterans agencies to see if they'll help.

Still can't empathise how great the job centre are being though. It's nothing like I expected after reading horror stories in the Guardian etc. They don't even really check my book/evidence of job search, they're being really trusting. And I know its not how they are with everyone, because I have friend from the martial arts club I used to train at who was sanctioned because they didn't think he was searching hard enough.

duchy

You may find all it will take is a little too long securing a position or a change of advisor for that to change. Don't assume it is "normal".

JustOnce

duchy wrote: »

You may find all it will take is a little too long securing a position or a change of advisor for that to change. Don't assume it is "normal".

I've had two advisors since I've been there, and they've both been the same. It's been explained to me certain things are beyond their control (which I assume means being volunteered for the works program etc), but otherwise to carry on as I am for the moment.


I think the main thing is, I log everything to do with my job searching activity on UJM, weather it's logging onto LinkedIn to adjust my profile, to speaking with a contact for advice on writing an application etc. Sometimes I'll log 20/30 things in a day (but all truthful things).

Although I do wonder if its my centre in general. We do have one G4 guard, but he is really polite to people, and I've even seem him sitting down with job seekers at one of the desks, like chatting and stuff. Maybe its just this one particular job centre though. Perhaps if I went back to where my parents lived (in East London), and signed on there, they would be less understanding.

Doshwaster

JustOnce wrote: »

Still can't empathise how great the job centre are being though. It's nothing like I expected after reading horror stories in the Guardian etc. They don't even really check my book/evidence of job search, they're being really trusting. And I know its not how they are with everyone, because I have friend from the martial arts club I used to train at who was sanctioned because they didn't think he was searching hard enough.

It sounds like you have been very lucky with advisers but my experience (and that of many others) is that they are usually next to useless when it comes to helping anyone who is wanting graduate/professional/senior jobs.

The last time I was out of work I didn't bother signing on at all as I didn't think it was worth the hassle. I just lived off savings (and some "cash in hand" work) and found a new job within 2 months.

sueturnersmith

I am a little sceptical about the op's posts - something doesn't seem quite right....

However, I wish you good luck with the interview, and hope that you are able to acquire sufficient funds to cover the travel costs.

JustOnce

sueturnersmith wrote: »

I am a little sceptical about the op's posts - something doesn't seem quite right....

However, I wish you good luck with the interview, and hope that you are able to acquire sufficient funds to cover the travel costs.

I just had a quick nose through some of you previous posts, and I see you're generally skeptical of people you reply to on here. Not that I blame you, it's the internet.

Yeah, I've since been contacted by my advisor. He's looked into where I have to travel via train, so I assume he is looking into applying for the funds for me.

And thanks

JustOnce

I was told yesterday apparently the job centre assisted with some of a friend's relocation costs(!) when he took up a lectureship at a university. He was unemployed for a year and put on a works program, so maybe it was something unique to his provider.

And I have contingency plans to arrange this myself, but it is good to know there's lots of help out there for getting people back to work.

bartelbe

There are some silly people on this forum.

If the barrier between a jobseeker and a job is proper interview clothes, then it is far more cost effective for the taxpayer to pay for some smart clothes and get that person off benefits.

Following the Daily Mail line on this is just going to leave more people out of work.

After all the people who need interview clothes are obviously doing the right thing and looking for work.

topaztiger1983

I agree if the person truly wants to work and is looking for work, then the DWP should pay for interview clothes, maybe not a suit (unless the job befits a suit)

But on the other hand you can pick up decent clothes for an interview in charity shops, for a fraction of the price of a retail outlet

I know that this is not really relevant, but the idea of JSA is that people on it are looking for work and actively attending any interviews that come up, if they cannot (except for a good reason) or refuse to do so then they should not be on JSA, why should taxpayers pay for people who can't be bothered to work

[Deleted User]

bartelbe wrote: »

There are some silly people on this forum.

Really, just goes to show in 2014 after attending an interview, I then went in the same wear to ask my local council for help... to describe it was like a 'deli counter' that makes this thread laughable as someone tried pulling the ticket out of my clasp that should have meant a fairer system...

What happened next they saw my 'interview clothes' (often at the expense of leisure wear for me as I've been in my pj's since coming in from work like I am most days tbh) and well decided they would take quite a few administrative days coming back to me re my benefit claim (as it was I got a job later that day, regardless of how I was dressed for a start the next day, I had no option but to walk 5 miles each day for the first week)...
Funny how it takes some 2/3 years to find that idea job...

So forgive me if I think clothes shouldn't be brought, while I do love OP's idea of donation :T

Perhaps this thread was best suited to DT