Job Seeking but scared

Sarastro

Depending on where you live, there may be an Individual Placement and Support service offered by a local charity, or even the mental health NHS Trust. This has a very proactive approach to getting people (who want to) into employment - it might be worth talking to them first.

jessex1990

I would call up ESA and ask for an appointment with your job adviser. Then tell them that you are thinking that you want to go back to work and whether they can help you get a day a week work experience etc and then increase it as you feel able to do more. You don't want to overdo it. My jobcentre offered me a work experience placement at the jobcentre when I was on ESA it was really good to get me out of the house every day, learning about benefits, doing some display work, helping people with computers etc... About 8 weeks later the manager suggested applying for an actual job they had.

And that was how I got back into work after a few years of being on ESA.

Energize

MRoss wrote: »

Only fair that I give a concluding reply. I am truly grateful for the majority of responses on here but, have been offended by a couple, even though I do believe they were said with the best intentions. It demonstrates however that stereotypes still prevail and this reinforces my view that it is best to avoid the Job Centre and tell the DWP when I have something to tell them.

So right now I am constructing a "general CV" which can then be tweaked to suit individual applications. I do have a range of qualifications and training, more than enough to fill 2 pages of A4, and whether it is "unrealistic " or not to thing I can get a job without some level of support - let's just say "support" isn't all its cracked up to be and can make matters far worse. So for now, its little old me against the world.

Wish me luck!

Offended? Stereotypes prevail?

Speaking as someone who has been on ESA in the past, every response on here has been supportive of you trying to get back into work.

Eagles1905

First of all, good on you! Too many trolls on this thing when you're generally seeking help/advice.

Have you considered modern apprenticeship or intern style work as a way of gaining experience in something new?