OK, I 've been lucky up to now, never needed one of these, in fact until a a couple of years ago I didn't actually know what it meant. Being now unemployed for the first time in 42 yrs is proving to be a bit odd. I went to the jobcentre today to make a claim for job seekers allowance, thought I might aswell if I'm entitled to. I was kind of hoping to come away feeling a bit better about things, but I must admit I'm now less optimistic about getting a new job than I was before I went there. It seems my whole future revolves around writing a proper CV, the one I wrote about my previous experience was apparently not worth looking at, as they only look at them for 30 seconds before binning them. They have booked me in for someone to show me how to write one on Monday. Presumably after then all my problems will be over and employers will be queueing up to take me on. I'm not sure doing what though, as they said I should retrain and get into IT. I pointed out I can only type with one finger, but that was irrelevant apparently. They gave me lots of things I must do in order to get my 70quid a week. I got a feeling it wont be long before I tell them where to poke their monetary insult, but I need to back off for a few weeks and see what happens.
So sad Pete , there are few job available around here , but sure not worth travel or moving home .....today it`s so hard everywhere .....the factory I was working went bankrupt almost 5 years ago , but got a job straight away , then changed and I`m stuck with to much work at the moment. The best tips I can give you is to make a simple CV , with lots of pictures of job you`ve done and the best thing to do is to go around your local joiner shop and hand to them do not wait for them to advertice or what so ever , see the formen and have a quick chat . You can easy download a CV template from internet and feel it up .
I know you probably already know this but do not annoy or upset your advisor they can make your life hell, best thing you can do is always have your sheet with your job applications/search log ready be friendly and open to anything even if it sounds completely stupid and ridiculous ask them about training opportunities before they offer them at least then your doing it on your own terms! Really make an effort to be pleasant and friendly as I've known some advisor's to get rather shirty and force you to come in weekly because they believe you lack motivation now this isn't a problem if you live nearby but if you need to pay to travel it soon mounts up!
After getting early retirement I chucked out all my technical libraries, burnt my business suits, sent my office drawer's contents to landfill, and have never, ever regretted it. If you're old enough to jack it in, get out whilst you can!
Thanks Sal. I've been kind of doing what you say, went round to four yesterday got another lined up for tomorrow. The Jobcentre said I was doing it all wrong in trying to talk to people, and should do it all via the internet. I dont think they understand, strangely they think we all want to work for large multi national companies, who dont actually look at the individual. A bit like them, they just look at you as another unemployed person prepared to do anything that's going even if you have a trade.
I agree with you, Scrungee. I stayed beyond 65 as I was working on a project but I suddenly stopped and asked myself what was I doing?. The next morning I bought a bottle of Champagne, six glasses, a bottle of Vodka, a big bunch of flowers and a bottle of wine and then went into work. I told the Junior Managers I was resigning, they rang the Directors who came clambering down the stairs and I gave them my letter of immediate resignation. I gave the bottle of Vodka to the IT specialist who had done a lot of work for me, the bunch of flowers and bottle of wine to my Secretary, drank a glass of Champagne with them [8.45am] and went out of the door. Never regretted it......having said that I've been dragged out of retirement for 3 days a week for the next year or so. But being retired is just great. But like I said earlier CVs are not the passport or key to an interview as Firms/Companies are more than aware that not all of them are truthful.
Aesculus, I dont annoy anyone... do I. But I'm lucky in that 70 quid is not that important to me, I just want to make sure I get counted on the governments falling unemployment stats. So if they make my life difficult I'll just tell them, nicely to poke it. Scrungee, I'm not really able to retire just yet, they sent me a letter a few months back saying that I had to go till 66 before I could claim my pension, another 8 yrs.
Hiya Pete. Sorry to hear of your predicament. I've worked pretty much all my life, and I can't imagine what it must be like to have to look for another job at this stage in my life. I consider myself quite lucky to be in an industry (aircraft) that has always been relatively stable. Indeed, right now there are a lot of job opportunities within this industry. I hope you find something quite soon, and that you don't have to sell your soul in the meantime...good luck
a CV nowadays does not have to be too long because you are one of many applying for a position in a fast revolving world and nobody wants to be bothered to spend too much time on an applicant so therefore keep it 1 page if you can. At the start in central position name address telephone number and e mail address if you have it. You have to grab the attention of the perspective employer immediatly so what goes in first is: a few lines that sum up your person and list all your qualities. Age not relevant at this stage. then a list of skills then the employment history (date: since when till when you worked in that job, employer, location,your duties for each job (meaning if you have to do that thing again you have seen it all before) . You list the most recent one first. courses, certificate, anything RELEVANT to the job. hobbies likes dislikes XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Good luck keep us posted
Didn't know about your current status Pete, it is hard, I know first hand what redundency feels like .Remaining positve is difficult when quite often all you get is put downs but hopefully your skills will be needed and get employment soon.
Mine wasn't long Mira, just apparently in the wrong order. I've only had two employers, and its not the kind of job where you keep going on courses etc. My last qualification dates back to about 1974. You just either know what you're doing, or you dont
Pete you know our trade is not an easy to learn , unfortunatly the traditional english joinery is going down badly , my luck is that I`ve evolved , I`ve been work as draughtsman , learned solid surface (still have call from other company offer me job) and finally the best step , I became self employed .....everyone will take a self employer on ....no holiday to pay, no overtime rate , no sick pay and they can get rid off you at anytime . Then ....remember you are a tradesman , with your tools and your skills .... when I first come to Uk , couldn`t find any job as joiner because of my English , I`ve post a simple small advert on the local news paper .....just small handy job ....I used to get between £200 to £300 a week , just by fixing new lock , put flat furniture together and even hanging curtains. Pete , I don`t know how many years you got left before the pension , but have fun and find more time for yourself.
Pete seriously , even you if became a kitchen fitter and fit one a week in three days , you will earn as full time , but work as partime . Also by becoming selfemplayer , if you earn less the £2800 a year you will have a support of £200 a week , not earning no tax to pay...you will only pay £12.50 a month for your pension ....every tool , petrol car and so on , can all be detract from your earning .....I will never go back to paye .
I always think it is nice to see on the forum from time to time pictures of what one does for a job because in a case like this, say somebody needs your skills: could come and talk to you or spread the word.
