Anxiety and Depression and Claiming Jobseekers for the first time

iwillsurvive

This week is my first ever appointment at the job centre. I've seen so many horror stories about the dwp, my anxiety is really kicking off worrying about this interview and what comes after, even though everyone I spoke to on the phone has been really nice. I just graduated my final degree a month ago, so I really need to get the anxiety about this under control to stay able to look for jobs and sort my career out, not slip into another breakdown where this time I have no safety net of uni or part-time work.

I'm hoping someone on here can explain what the process will be like and what's going to be expected of me. If I know what's coming, I can prepare for it and feel a bit less anxious and a bit more in control.

I have a couple of CVs for different types of jobs and all the stuff they say to bring to the interview. I already made a spreadsheet of jobs I'm applying for. It would be great if they'd help me practice technical interviews, presentations, and phone interviews but I dunno if they do things like that.

Thanks to anyone who can help me with some info and tips for getting through this.

TELLIT01

The vast majority of JC staff are decent people trying to do a good job under enormous pressure simply to clear numbers. There are a few who are probably in the wrong job, and even fewer total ar******s who seem to take a perverse delight in making people's lives as difficult as possible.
Explain your concerns to the person who interviews you at the JC. The probability is that you are worrying unnecessarily, but your anxiety is unlikely to diminish until you have the interview. Something of a Catch22 situation I'm afraid.

RichardD1970

Agree with the above.

My daughter has just signed on for the first time and everyone she has dealt with has been nice, supportive and helpful.

NeilCr

TELLIT01 wrote: »

The vast majority of JC staff are decent people trying to do a good job under enormous pressure simply to clear numbers. There are a few who are probably in the wrong job, and even fewer total ar******s who seem to take a perverse delight in making people's lives as difficult as possible.
Explain your concerns to the person who interviews you at the JC. The probability is that you are worrying unnecessarily, but your anxiety is unlikely to diminish until you have the interview. Something of a Catch22 situation I'm afraid.

Agree

And it is worth remembering that people are much more likely to post bad experiences than good. Lots of folks are having no problems with JC

iammumtoone

I understand that you why you need to know answers to your questions as someone who suffers myself I appreciate that need to know what will happen.

However I think asking on a forum like this is not going to help you, you will get replies from some of the many on here who are very anti JC (some of them have their own reasons. most of them will have just be going on what they have read/heard - which may or may not be true) It will not help you to hear horror stories, the problem with these is its human nature to tell the world when something bad has happened, there is no need for the millions of Job Seekers who do not have issue with the JC to post all over the internet about it.

What is important it that you tell them of your issues. MAKE SURE they note this on their system.

Make sure you go away with a clear understanding of what they require of you, Follow those rules (to the letter) and you will be fine. For example if they say you need to apply for X job do it, it is no defense that you have applied for 100 other jobs that they didn't mention you have to follow what they say. Of course its a good idea to apply for the other 100 jobs as well just make sure you also include what they ask (even if you don't think its a good idea)

yvonne13_2

iwillsurvive wrote: »

This week is my first ever appointment at the job centre. I've seen so many horror stories about the dwp, my anxiety is really kicking off worrying about this interview and what comes after, even though everyone I spoke to on the phone has been really nice. I just graduated my final degree a month ago, so I really need to get the anxiety about this under control to stay able to look for jobs and sort my career out, not slip into another breakdown where this time I have no safety net of uni or part-time work.

I'm hoping someone on here can explain what the process will be like and what's going to be expected of me. If I know what's coming, I can prepare for it and feel a bit less anxious and a bit more in control.

I have a couple of CVs for different types of jobs and all the stuff they say to bring to the interview. I already made a spreadsheet of jobs I'm applying for. It would be great if they'd help me practice technical interviews, presentations, and phone interviews but I dunno if they do things like that.

Thanks to anyone who can help me with some info and tips for getting through this.

They don't, their not there for that.

yvonne13_2

Watch "I, daniel blake" to see whay you're up against.

Jackieboy

yvonne13 wrote: »

They don't, their nor there for that.

But they may well be able to refer the OP to an organisation that offers this kind of help - there are many of them around.

iwillsurvive

Thank you, everyone. It's reassuring to hear positive experiences.

Is everyone's experience of what stuff they do very different then depending on their needs? There's not like a set of procedures everyone goes through and they just adapt a bit to suit their circumstance?

Bogalot

yvonne13 wrote: »

Watch "I, daniel blake" to see whay you're up against.

iwillsurvive has come here for support and encouragement, not to be given a worst case scenario that only applies to a small minority, and is very unlikely to affect a young graduate.

iwillsurvive, you sound well prepared for your job search, and with such efficient record keeping you'll be well organised for your signing appointment each fortnight (this may be weekly for a short period).

For help with interviews etc contact your university careers service, they usually support graduates for a period after leaving. There are also lots of resources online, Prospects and The Student Room for example.

Best of luck, and if you have any more specific questions come back to us and we'll try to help, or point you to someone that can.

Bogalot

Also have you looked at what mental health resources are available in your area? As well as counselling you may be able to access online support such as Big White Wall. Provision varies between areas but your local NHS website should point you in the right direction.