Can I not access any help at all from Jobcentre plus?

Craftycorvid

I've been self-employed since I left school 15+ years ago, this has now come to an end. I've been looking for work for over 9 months and have completed hundreds of applications, care work, driving jobs, fruit picking etc. with very few interviews and no success. Obviously I understand why no one would want to employ me as I have such a poor job history, an off putting personality and can't offer any work or character references, but I still need to get a job to pay the bills! I am volunteering 2 days a week but they are also unwilling to give a reference.

I approached my local Jobcentre plus in the hope they might be able to help me with interview skills/CV etc. or have useful contacts for finding work - I understand I don't qualify for Jobseekers or UC as I've been self employed and have some savings and I'm not looking for any handouts. They've said as I'm not eligible for any benefits there is nothing they can do apart from signpost me to the government job seeking website? Is this true please? Do I really have to just work through all my savings until I qualify for assistance in getting a job? I don't think I could bring myself to do that, I worked so hard to build my savings up alone and have cut my outgoings down to the bone to try and preserve them, no hot water, basic diet etc, again I'm not looking for handouts I just want to find work. I'd really be grateful for any advice please, thank you.

Grumpy_chap

Craftycorvid said:

I've been self-employed since I left school 15+ years ago, this has now come to an end. I've been looking for work for over 9 months and have completed hundreds of applications, care work, driving jobs, fruit picking etc. with very few interviews and no success. Obviously I understand why no one would want to employ me as I have such a poor job history, an off putting personality and can't offer any work or character references, but I still need to get a job to pay the bills! I am volunteering 2 days a week but they are also unwilling to give a reference.

I approached my local Jobcentre plus in the hope they might be able to help me with interview skills/CV etc. or have useful contacts for finding work - I understand I don't qualify for Jobseekers or UC as I've been self employed and have some savings and I'm not looking for any handouts. They've said as I'm not eligible for any benefits there is nothing they can do apart from signpost me to the government job seeking website? Is this true please? Do I really have to just work through all my savings until I qualify for assistance in getting a job? I don't think I could bring myself to do that, I worked so hard to build my savings up alone and have cut my outgoings down to the bone to try and preserve them, no hot water, basic diet etc, again I'm not looking for handouts I just want to find work. I'd really be grateful for any advice please, thank you.

You may have mis-understood (or been mis-advised, or summarised incorrectly).  Being self employed (sole trader) does not, of itself, prevent a claim for nJSA or UC.

What NI contributions do you have?  If the NI contributions are sufficient, you may be able to claim for nJSA which is not means-tested and also gets you "in the system" so can open access to careers advice, interview skills, CV review etc.

UC is means-tested.  If you have £6k of savings the amount of any award is reduced.  If you have £16k of savings, the amount of any award is reduced to zero.  Savings is defined in broad terms.  Have you tried one of the online benefits checkers?

20122013

Your post does not say whether you are over 30 or what type of work you are looking for ..

I did a search under: 'help with looking for a job'

https://www.kingstrust.org.uk/how-we-can-help/get-job  

If you're aged 16 to 30, we can provide you with free training courses, mentoring and funding to help you find a job in healthcare.

NHS seem to have vacancies, for more hands on work eg  housekeeping (eg keeping areas cleaned etc), porters, etc to admin and many different roles. If you do not have any references perhaps try and look for volunteer work (https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate) that will provide you with one, even a character reference as you are volunteering your time, you can even try and volunteer for the NHS.  

https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/work-and-employment/looking-for-work

Turn2us may not be able to provide direct support but they maybe to sign post you.

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

contact your local council and see whether they can sign post or apprenticeships?

Keep going and you will find something.  I

Marcon

Craftycorvid said:

I've been self-employed since I left school 15+ years ago, this has now come to an end. I've been looking for work for over 9 months and have completed hundreds of applications, care work, driving jobs, fruit picking etc. with very few interviews and no success. Obviously I understand why no one would want to employ me as I have such a poor job history, an off putting personality and can't offer any work or character references, but I still need to get a job to pay the bills! I am volunteering 2 days a week but they are also unwilling to give a reference.

I have no idea if this is a tongue in cheek comment, but even if it is made in jest, it really isn't the sort of message you want to be giving yourself, never mind other people - and if you keep saying it in your head, or putting it down on the page on a forum like this, it will be the message others hear however untrue it is in reality.

In all seriousness, have you looked at doing a short course on assertiveness training? Many local authorities run them (often no more than a day) at a subsidised cost, and they can be transformative in how you interact with the rest of the world around you.

How long have you been volunteering? Often giving a reference after a reasonable length of time is seen as part of the deal, so why are 'they' not willing to do so?

itsthelittlethings

Get a job in catering. It’s very hard work but anyone can do it. Even washing up? 

YBR

Perhaps there are other groups that could help - CAP job club in your area, for example?

Craftycorvid

You may have mis-understood (or been mis-advised, or summarised incorrectly).  Being self employed (sole trader) does not, of itself, prevent a claim for nJSA or UC.

What NI contributions do you have?  If the NI contributions are sufficient, you may be able to claim for nJSA which is not means-tested and also gets you "in the system" so can open access to careers advice, interview skills, CV review etc.

I was told I had to have NI contributions for the last 2-3 years as an employee in order to be put in their claim group? So therefore they couldn't help. I do have full NI contributions for 15+ years.

Your post does not say whether you are over 30 or what type of work you are looking for ..

I did a search under: 'help with looking for a job'

NHS seem to have vacancies, for more hands on work eg  housekeeping (eg keeping areas cleaned etc), porters, etc to admin and many different roles. If you do not have any references perhaps try and look for volunteer work that will provide you with one, even a character reference as you are volunteering your time, you can even try and volunteer for the NHS.  

I am in my mid-30s and would do any kind of work, I've been searching for anything minimum wage. I do have a maths degree from the OU which I thought might help show I could commit myself but I was told it was better to leave this off my CV when applying for minimum wage jobs? Most jobs advertised seem to be care work which requires two character references which I can't provide. There is a big fruit farm very nearby and I went in person but they have already sourced all their pickers for this year. Even the volunteering posts I've seen want references, even to work behind the scenes stacking food bank produce at a warehouse. A local nature reserve was happy without but are not running any sessions until the winter, I will go then.

I have no idea if this is a tongue in cheek comment, but even if it is made in jest, it really isn't the sort of message you want to be giving yourself, never mind other people - and if you keep saying it in your head, or putting it down on the page on a forum like this, it will be the message others hear however untrue it is in reality.

In all seriousness, have you looked at doing a short course on assertiveness training? Many local authorities run them (often no more than a day) at a subsidised cost, and they can be transformative in how you interact with the rest of the world around you.

How long have you been volunteering? Often giving a reference after a reasonable length of time is seen as part of the deal, so why are 'they' not willing to do so?

It certainly is factually true. I do not come across well either online or in person and can make anyone dislike me in minutes, no matter what I do. I have been volunteering for about a year - they allow me to keep going as they need a certain number of volunteers legally to run each session but when I asked the leader said she was not happy to provide a reference to my character. I asked if she might consider just confirming that I was reliable and showed up to each session and did what I was told, but after taking some time to think she was unhappy with this also. 

Thank you very much for your help, I am keeping trying.

itsthelittlethings

Put your maths degree on your CV. Maybe you just live in an area of high unemployment.

Tabieth

“Obviously I understand why no one would want to employ me as I have such a poor job history, an off putting personality and can't offer any work or character references, but I still need to get a job to pay the bills! I am volunteering 2 days a week but they are also unwilling to give a reference.”

I do think you need to reflect on what you’ve written here. I obviously don’t know you so can’t comment, but logically this is either a genuine reflection of the reality, or it’s not but it’s your genuine assessment of the situation. If it’s the latter, I’d think about counselling and assertiveness training to try and work through why you feel this way. If it’s the former then it’s trickier and you have much more work to do. Work (whether it’s self employed or working for an employer) involves interacting with other people. We wont like all of those people but that’s tough - it’s part of the job and we have to remain professional and courteous. If no-one that you’ve ever worked / volunteered with will give you a reference that’s a big problem. You obviously can’t change the past but maybe go about mending relationships or apologising? And from now onwards change your behaviour so in a few weeks or months time people have a better impression of you and will be willing to give a good reference. Whatever your personality, professional, courteous behaviour in the work place is a basic standard that we should all meet. If you aren’t then you do need to reflect and change. 

All the best and good luck with it all! 

RAS

What class of NI contributions have you paid? And when did you cease self-employment?

Craftycorvid

RAS said:

What class of NI contributions have you paid? And when did you cease self-employment?

I have always paid Class 2, some years I have made enough profit to pay Class 4. I officially ceased all self employment in February this year although I've been looking for a job for longer.