Advice Please

Have you been on to all the agencies? I find that these days employers simply don't advertise, and half of them don't even do the early stages of recruitment themselves, and some don't do any of it themselves these days.

I don't necessarily mean just 'agency work' (where you are employed by the agency and they send you wherever), but recruitment agencies. Certainly in my industry (IT) just about everything goes through a recruitment agency.

I found that that wont satisfy the jobcentre people, but its the quickest way to get back into work, unless you're lucky enough to have a load of good contacts of your own.

 

As you are on a gardening forum and have applied for horticultural apprenticeship a potential plan for the Spring if you are still job hunting..
Go self employed as a jobbing gardener . I was made redundant 5 years ago and did just that.
You can set up initially with very little equipment and don't need to be doing much business to beat job seekers allowance.
You can still look for regular employment but are more in control of your job hunting.

 

My Taiwanese mate, who is stereotypical eastern wisdom sort, once said to me while we watched a tree threatening to fall over in a gale, "the tree that bends in the wind, wont break". I'd forgotten all about it for several hours while we went off somewhere, then the penny dropped what he was really saying.

 

Thanks Clue, I've been on an effective job search work shop just a few weeks ago at the other place I attend and they teach you completely the opposite of what the job centre want you to do. For instance they say just do an online search on the Monday as that is when all employers advertise online, for the rest of the week they are just recycled, I know this as I see the same jobs everyday, however the JC want you to search every day and find vacancies everyday!!?? They also told us that 70% of all jobs aren't advertised and that sending cvs with covering letters is the most effective 'application' process, however this holds little water with the JC, they don't see it as effective job searching!!?

They also say only go after jobs you think you can do and think you'll feel content doing, there is simply no point in getting a job you're going to chuck in after a week as you can't stand it, the JC want you to apply for anything!!

The other place - friendly and helpful towards finding work you want
The JC - couldn't care less, you're a statistic that they want off their books

 

I am so, so, saddened that you are having to deal with this *jobs-worth* and the knock-on effect of anxiety, frustration and despair!!!

Next time you see her: give her a humbug, wish her "seasons greetings" and label it: 'perspective'!

 

Sorry cant help much advise wise Bilbo, but I do sympathise.
I dont know where they get those freaks that work in the JCs but they appear to be totally out of touch with reality.
One or two appear to be on your side but most, I found, were just on some kind of power trip.

They like the position but cant actually do the job, the main reason the country is in the state it is right now.
As I say, cant offer any advice as such, but I was lucky in that when I come against such a moron last year I was able to put two fingers up to her and tell her were to poke her JC allowance.

Am I right in thinking the really nasty illegitimate children in the JC are usually middle aged women?
No offence meant, just an observation.

 

Spot on!!!

No offence to anyone

 

The blokes are just as bad and the way they carry on, you'd think it was their money!!!

I'd get the back up of the CAB and get their advice first before you make a complaint to a supervisor. In my experience they all stick together.

 

Correct about the blokes
Totally incorrect about sticking together
They are trying to cut staff WITHOUT REDUNDANCY and brownie points to the supervisor who scores

Jack McH

 

In a previous employment I worked with jobsworths, and over the course of the 10 years I was there, I've had to fight them too on more than one occasion. Sometimes on my own behalf, and sometimes for my work mates.

This isn't in the specific situation of the jobcentre, but I can only assume a jobsworth is a jobsworth regardless of which company it is.

My experience is that they try to stick together at first, as long as they think it is going to be fun to gang up and destroy you, but as soon as they realise that you are not going to lose your temper or burst into tears, but are actually going to listen to and note down everything that is said, and challenge them calmly while referring to their own rules, ie when they realise you are not a pushover, they fall apart and start fighting amongst themselves to get out of the dispute. I.e. once they realise your case is going all the way, they don't want to be in it as it rises through the hierarchy, because of course they don't want their management to notice that they exist, because in that situation, everyone knows that the worst thing than can happen is that HR learn your name. The last thing you want if you work for a jobsworth is for higher jobsworths to know who you are. It is far safer to just be a record that nobody ever looks at. I.e. if your a jobsworth or working for one, its best to keep your head down. You will drop your colleagues like a hot brick if it looks like they are going to attract unwanted attention your way.

 

The problem is that they have all the power in this situation because they control your money....and they know it. I can only speak of my experience but if Jack's correct Bilbo, it won't be long and she'll be behind you in the queue to sign on.

I think I'd be tempted to take any job which is reasonable and on which you can manage financially, while looking to move to something better, just to get away from her and her colleagues in the JC!