Me on the NO-WORK Programme,

I have been on this so called work programme for just over a month.
I went in on Friday at 4pm and I saw the advisor who in fact is ok.

I asked him if he knew of any vacancies he could point me to, he had one, it was for an  Aldi in Mansfield, about 15 miles. They had a total of 50 vacancies in various areas.

So he told me each advisor are to refer 3 people.
That sounds not too bad yet, but then they are to meet up on Wednesday morning and they are going to take the job seekers there, still not too bad. But then oh-so what are the hours then ???
Well it is between 6am and 9pm flexible.
So then I said to him how will people from here get there before 6am if they do not drive? He then said well that is the problem.  There is no transport from Chesterfield to Mansfield until 06.30, we checked.  And he said he has only put one person through for it who has transport as he did not think it right taking them along on Wednesday knowing that they could never get there themselves.  Also he does have his own target to reach but sometimes facts and people do come before targets.

The advisor is someone I actually know and as I have said before he knows about the job searching and courses and other stuff I am involved with and was happy with the information I gave him from the past month. He asks if there is anything I can think of which would be of use to me. He also asks if I have applied at the company he works for??? I have and got to stage 3, which was an hours telephone interview.  I obviously did not get the job as that's why I am sat in front of him.

I said that this job seeking stuff gets ridiculous and you can lose who you are, it drains you. It becomes your main focus.
Well I told him I am wanting to learn how to play the guitar, I keep trying  and he went away came back and brought me some papers from his first ever lesson, he spent about 10 mins talking to me about this and gave me a copy.

Although I did not come away  with any decent job vacancies, I came away feeling like me.
Justine x

Job re-posted

Well I was just searching for the latest vacancies in this area and came across a job I recently went for.

It wasn't that great, a customer service role but it was a job none the less.  Well I had got myself an interview, researched the company and prepared well, and it seemed to go quite well so was hopeful. I fit the spec quite well.

I found out I had not got it and although I asked for feedback, got none.

So today when I was looking on line I saw the very same job in the same place put back on in the last day or so.  It must not have worked out for whoever got it then. This made me think - as this is a mystery to me - as to why on earth people go for jobs, get them, and then it does not work out.

So here I am still looking, and filling out endless forms etc. It is all very time consuming.  I do not just apply for anything now though. I am a bit more selective and take a bit more time and care with the application process.

Still forever hopeful.

Justine x

The so called Work Programme.

I went yesterday at 5 pm. It is a good way from me, I had a really busy day too.  Here, there, everywhere and back again.

Well I was lucky as my adviser is the exact same person who was my adviser at the other place I went to.
I know him personally and he gives me some inside info sometimes, such as targets and case loads etc. He understood when I said I was not signing the release paper, the one which allows them to contact others and receive payment for me being on their programme. They get enough anyway. Without inventing things.

He assured me it will not have a negative impact on me. As the release form is proving quite a useful piece of paper.   It could be confusing I guess if you are not aware of all this, as they do bombard you with info and papers, about data protection and stuff, but then on the other hand by giving permission to them, it all goes out of the window.

He knows about the campaigning and volunteer role I do, and is really good to have a chat to him.

Anyway it was short and sweet. No looking at screens, and that nonsense.

So, It may change next time I go, but until then all's well.

No news on the job front, I have asked for feedback from the last one, but heard nothing.

The work programme ( people on it are not classed as unemployed )

 I have come across this today. It says that people on the work programme are not counted as being unemployed. See link

http://uk-unemployed-betrayed.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/britains-unemployment-count-deception.html

It's official, I am on the work programme. I am to expect a call within 48 hours from the company who is       " Going to help me overcome barriers and aim to find me sustainable work"

I also found out today that for the last 6 month I was supposed to have had intense support from the job centre with two people. They said sorry but for some reason I was over looked.  I have had a call from a local news paper today about all of this job seeking and stuff and I told her that although these things need highlighting I am fed up with people making on the back of this crap. ie her for her story, these agencies who are getting paid to so call help me, etc. This is my life, this is real and this is happening all over the place.

Oh also, I found out today that these companies who have got big Government contracts (work programme) have access to available jobs that never get released to the bloody JOB CENTRE, so is that another reason people are struggling to find any then???

It is f-----g ridiculous.

The letter I was talking about the other day, the one from an independent research company, with DWP on top, getting feedback about help I have received whilst looking for work. Well it said I would get a call.  I am still waiting, so I rang them as I have loads of feedback.
I was told it has not started yet, and I would be contacted in due course. As I was telling her I would like that, she apologised and said she had another call coming through, so put the phone down. Can you believe it.

I am reallly gutted.

Well I was hoping that this would have been the time I could post on here with some good news that I have at long last got the job.

I found out this morning that I had not.

Now although you somehow get used to this, this one seemed to go really well, and then the second interview, I even had my hair done. HA.

Well I guess it  was  just not meant to be.  I have to think like that other wise I will just get so down with the whole thing.  This is not an option.  As I have to keep searching and improving my skills and knowledge and hope that it will happen.  It is not through not looking hard enough or putting the effort in to each application, so then I think well what then??? That leaves me.  But deep down I know I will give my soul to get paid work as that is my goal, I know I have loads of skills and am really good with people. I go out of my way to solve problems but can not sort this for now.  Who knows I may start my own "looking for jobs company" ha. My Daughter said to me today "Mum it seems to be your job to look for jobs"  she is not wrong. 

Everyone around me has been really aware of my efforts to find work, and each time it gets to a stage of reply, interview or what ever, they see what affect this has.  I am not mardy or unrealistic but did think that I would be in work by now.

So I am at the job centre on Thursday to be put on the work programme. That will be nice, not.
 Oh I found this today for looking at unemployment.
http://chieelliott.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/there-is-more-to-life-than-unemployment-misery-says-a-letter-from-the-thatcher-era/#comment-390

Justine x

Letter from DWP

I have had a strange letter. It is from an independent company on behalf of the DWP saying someone will contact me soon to ask me some questions on the HELP I HAVE RECEIVED whilst looking for a job.
What???  It says it is confidential and that other than themselves and the DWP research team, will have access to it. It also says it is up to me if I tell them anything.

Well I will tell them that all these things they dream up just do not work.
Including people who send out such letters, unless they can make a difference, so will ask them what will the outcome be after hearing peoples experiences.
The money should be put into trying to create jobs, not pay people to tell me to look at a screen for hours and send me to large private companies for them to get free labour.

If you experience work then experience payment for it. As these companies have jobs that need doing and they are being done for no payment, as the very people doing them are sent here there and everywhere.

Oh I had another interview last Thursday. It went really well. They rang me back on Monday and asked me to go back for a second interview. I went yesterday.  So we will see.  It is a job I would like to do, and I would working with people who are facing redundancy or been made redundant. Helping them to access services and help.

Justine x

I am gutted

Well I had managed to secure two interviews on Tuesday, one was an advisor role and the other was customer service in a bookies.

I felt I had prepared myself well for any questions or possible scenarios.

The first one was for about an hour and a half in total.  It was really intense and I did not have a good feeling. There were two people interviewing me and that was a range of real life situations questions and scenarios.

The next was ok. In fact it felt to go well, and they said they would let me know either way by the following day,  I had a good feeling  (Nothing.)

The first was going to take a week or so. I am not holding my breath.

On a more possitive note I had a call about another one I had applied for via  a 3rd party, so did not know who the employers were,  (this is common you get vetted before they pass your details over)

So I am to go next weeek.  I am going to prepare well for it and I always think of what they may ask considering the role and how I will reply.

It is good that I am being asked for interviews based on my skills and experience,  I would not apply if I did not think I could do the job so what can I do to make sure I get it?

I am thinking about possibly saying give me a trial. pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease, but do not want to sound to pushy.

Any advice would be gladly received.

Oh there is a by election around here soon, I have never had so many visitors in one week   HA

Interviews are like buses.

Well I had a phone interview tonight ( customer service in a bookies ) and it felt to be going well, and afterwards I was invited to a face to face next week.

So now it seems I have two interviews, both on Tuesday, the other is the adviser role.

One is 15 miles north of my house and the other is 8 miles south.

So as I said they are like buses, there is none and then two come at the same time.

I am going to do some research in to both this weekend, as interviews can be really difficult, you never know what they are going to ask you, so have always taken any opportunity to ask others about any advice they can give me on how to best be prepared.

WISH ME LUCK  X

I have got an interview ! :)

Well I have been applying for a lot of jobs recently, and mostly it's a case of no reply or just "no"

But I applied for an advisor role ( just my thing ) and they have actually invited me to an interview. I am quite optimistic, I fit all of the spec and so-fingers and toes crossed.

Also I have applied for a job in a betting shop, and they are going to ring me tomorrow for a telephone interview. This one is a customer service role. That too would be fine. Both are full time. Although it would take a bit of getting used to full time hours, I need it and want it too. The first one would involve some travelling but I am prepared to do just about anything now.

Well I am due at the job centre tomorrow and am not at all looking forward to it.
I am going to challenge the 26 things a week, to look for work. It is unrealistic, as every job for example you apply for takes some doing. It is what counts as a step to find work that is unclear, as I asked if I spent 6 hours looking at job sites on lots of sites and applied for jobs does that only count as one thing?? Yes it does.

So I need to be clear. As 52 things in two weeks is not realistic. Not from 6 anyway.

The courses I completed some two or 3 months ago- the PC and Maths etc, I was supposed to get certificates for. They were recognised equivalent to GCSE A-C and the PC was advanced.
Well I was keen to add these to my CV and do not feel right in doing so without them. So when I saw someone who I was on these courses with, and he said-he too had not received his certificates, I decided to try and find out. I contacted learn direct as that is who sends them out when they have checked everything, they was no help, so I emailed the learning provider by email, they contacted me and said "oh we have them here"  well when was they gonna tell me??

They do not care as they would have been paid for me attending, that is another story.  Anyway I will fetch the certificates tomorrow and I worked really hard for them.

I am going to update my jobseeking sheet with the things I have done today to look for work and see what they say at the job centre tomorrow. x

I ought to sanction them for not sticking to their agreement.

I am in shock, I went to the Job Centre yesterday to sign on as well as see my adviser about the Debenhams work experience and talk about my Job Search.

WELL where shall I start? The Debenhams thing has changed, the goal post have moved. I was told yesterday that I now have to apply online directly to Debenhams, then if that goes ok, I may be selected out of 20 people on Job Seekers, (Chosen by staff at the Job Centre) to possibly have a telephone interview, if that goes ok then a face to face interview and if that goes ok then 2 week work experience,  The adviser was informed at first, that he and his colleagues was to refer 30 people to Debenhams for 2 weeks work experience and they would be given an interview for any jobs. I was originaly  told if I did 2 week work experience I would guaranteed an interview. What a lot of old rubbish.  I ought to sanction them for not sticking to the agreement.

I was told yesterday that I am now to start the work programme in July. This is for two years with a private company, either A4E or Ingeus, to be selected at random. It's like the Lottery.

My biggest shock yesterday, was last time I saw that adviser I was given a new Job seeking agreement, you know the thing where on it-it says you will do this many things to look for work such as contacting so many employers, look at this site or another, be willing to travel these many hours to and from work each day, and be available between these hours.

Well the adviser told me It has changed from where you take at least 3 positive steps each week to find and gain employment, it is down on my agreement that I have to take 26 steps each week. Yes 26. This is not too hard to do if you consider looking on web sites and things but I am to challenge this as I feel they have just plucked a figure from thin air.  I have looked in depth about any change in the law and can not yet find anything.. I will let you know.  For someone like me who has access to the Internet and gets about quite a bit, talking to people and putting myself in a position to ask people about jobs and stuff its not too bad, but this is now ridiculous.. What counts towards the 26??

I have been told to go to my local volunteer centre and get myself another volunteer job, in retail or the like.  That as well as my already volunteer role, as well as all these steps to find work, as well as work experience and courses. Bloody hell.

Jubilee, misery for the unemployed

Well amongst all of the celebrations in the city, there was the story of unemployed people being taken to London to do unpaid work.

This is nothing new, it goes on a lot, but people are only just being made aware of it.

I found an article in the Guardian, these people went unpaid, without even the privacy to get changed or shelter at night, all on the promise that this unpaid work, MAY lead to some paid work.  What makes me angry is that this is allowed to go on.  Private companies get paid alot of money to organise these events, such as security and crowd control and the like, and then they get the unemployed who will do anything in the hope it may lead to some paid work.

Most of the time it does not lead to anything, as these companies just say things like they were not suitable and then take on a load more people with the same hopes. All of the time getting free
labour and treating people badly some of the time.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jun/06/unpaid-jubilee-jobseekers-downing-street?intcmp=239

and a follow up

.http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/06/unpaid-jubilee-stewards-downing-street

I am due at the Job centre tomorrow to find out when I am due to do my work experience.. in the new Debenhams. I am to be flexible from any time between 9am and 7pm for two weeks.

I do not need experience, I need a job.  I am hoping this may lead to something as I am told I will get an interview.  But I feel it may be that I can work my butt off for them for free - and then they will just get someone else to take my place.  I will update you.

Sorry you have been unsuccessful.

I went to the job centre today to sign, and it was very quick.
It seems sometimes they wish to just get rid of you.

When I got home I had received a letter from a job I had applied for. It was a call handler job for a new non emergency telephone service 111, I had really liked the sound of it.
Well I did not get the job, which was a shame as there was approx 20 vacancies. It is a new service to take pressure off 999 calls and you then have to direct the people or refer them else where, at least they let me know.

I also requested  some feedback from another job recently. It had taken me along time to fill in the application form, it was as a support worker for an housing association.  When I did not receive confirmation they had my application I contacted them to find out if I had been considered, as I felt I met all of the person specifications and I took my time to give examples of how I did. Anyway, I did not hear back so contacted the HR department and it was someone from there who found out for me and could not really give me much feedback, but did say that there were some more roles coming up and would I like to apply???

If I was unsuccessful and they could not be bothered to tell me they had my application, then it makes me feel do they even look at them all??  Well I will apply again as you just never know.  One of these days I will be told YES. 

Work experience

Well I went to the Job Centre on Friday, and my Job seeking agreement was changed.
I am to be available between the hours of 9am and 8pm Monday till Saturday, and 9am till 6pm on Sunday. I am to look at sites they prefer you to use ie, direct.gov and the adviser was actually OK.  In fact it was he I saw when I became an official job seeker 3 years ago.  I have been sent from one agency to another, on this course and that, and now I am back with him.

I was told that the DWP are teaming up with Monster jobs, (a job seeking site) and the job site are to send you jobs and if you do not apply then they will inform the DWP.

I mean that is all good and well but they will not be doing it for free.  What about good realistic help from the DWP, not-oh we will try this now.

I have been put forward for work experience for two week with a new Debenhams. It is any hours between 9am and 8pm 40 hours for two week unpaid, and they " guarantee you an interview. " I mean do not get me wrong it may lead to a job and that will be really good, so I will update you with any info.

I have no news on the job front  except a call about an office job, but other than that it is the usual, automated response or none. I do not know if it is me or not, but there does seem to be a few more jobs coming up in the area.
Justine x

Climbing out of Poverty.

Well I have not posted for a while and the whole Blog pages have changed.

I notice I have a few new followers so thank you.   :)

The job hunting is not going well at all. It is not an option for me to think oh well I give up, as then what??
I went to the JC yesterday and was told I am to have yet another adviser to help me find work.

I am doing everything to look for work and improve my skills, by doing courses to improve my chances so I can apply for a wide range of vacancies. It is very draining mentally as you become somewhat desperate and can lose hope. It is a vicious circle, as you need to be strong, positive and hopeful when looking for work, but after so long of doing so you start to feel less hopeful and disheartened and then this may come across to potential employers, which is not good.

The unemployed workers centre where I volunteer have produced a game about climbing out of poverty. It is based on the old childhood board game Snakes and Ladders. It highlights the difficulties faced in trying to gain long term employment with fair wages. It shows just how hard it can be with barriers along the way. I will post a link for when it was first used in Derbyshire, with local MP's playing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atntCJ3h3S4&feature=youtu.be

Training

I am on yet another course.

I found this one in the JC+ and it said I was to ask an adviser about it.

When I was enrolled I got a letter. It said Failing to attend may result in loss of benefit.  What ???
It also said that the job centre refered me.  A tick for them then.

I wanted to do this. Anyway It was for two weeks 9-4 and I still have to do the job seeking while on it..

It was maths I did, and a PC one. The maths  test  I passed.  It is a recognised qualification which is good. I am still on the PC one.

Although I use a PC every day almost, a lot of jobs require proof of things.

I had 3 missed calls today, and then when I looked at my emails it said someone had been trying to contact me about a job I have applied for. So I emailed back and told them to try again.

Anyway, will update with any news.  x

Workfare demo.

I went to a demo in my town today. I was with some others made up of a mix of people.
We was giving out leaflets and just informing people of the Governments scheme to allow people to work for 8 hours a day on so called work experience for no money or proper training..

Now do not get me wrong, some work experience is good. I did work experience when at school for two weeks. I worked in a shoe shop and got experience of being in a work place, working on the till, restocking shelves, and customer service. I was not allowed to get money due to restrictions on my age etc, but did get to choose two pairs of shoes.  I was happy with that as I felt I had been rewarded for my hard work and enthusiasm,  but if a company has a job that needs doing, you should experience the wage at the end of the week for your hard work.  The Government allows companies to take on people for not one penny, and in some instances pays job seekers allowance at a really low amount.  Companies should pay people to do their work.

Jobs which exist are not safe now, as people lose hours and days, and are released so that a person can do the work for free. At Christmas and times like that, the staff who would normally be paid were not in work, and the free labour was in there.

Of course the company will do this, after all they have money to make. They would not pay someone when they do not have to.

They are the only ones who get anything from this, the people on work experience do not learn, nor earn anything.

There are loads of Jobs out there. It's just that no one gets paid to do them.

I get it.   All of the companies involved in the work programme or the like, are all companies which if not involved in the scheme would still need the jobs doing, and so would have to pay people to do them.

When I left school there were loads of jobs if you had not much of an Education, ie shelf stacking , manual stuff, and as you worked in a place you got the experience and could move up the ladder that way. Work you got paid to do.

It is now that you cannot get a job as you need the experience first.  And how do you get the experience.  The DWP sends you to a place for free.

Like everything, it has been going on in such mass numbers that lots of people are in these places do not get paid one penny, and it is giving large companies the rights to do this.  Why would they pay anyone to do the hard slog??? they do not have to.  So put an end to it now, and the crappy jobs would still need doing so let someone have the chance to earn their wage.

It does make you laugh, as it is so obvious the only people profiting are the companies owners.

I bet half of them have some kind of friendship or interest or investment with those allowing this to go on, as shown to be the case so often before.

Job centre hinders work search.

Well I am hearing a lot about all of this work programme stuff. Also I have been looking more into others looking for jobs with out any luck.
 follow links
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/feb/23/jobcentre-hinders-search-for-work

http://www.theweek.co.uk/politics/45549/emma-harrison-quits-raising-more-questions-about-dave
A4E 's Emma Harrison Has resigned.


From what?? her position as families Tsar.. I might have known she had some connection to someone on the government.  It does remind me though as 4 staff members at her company have been looked into for asking Job seekers to sign blank time sheets.

I was sent to one of these companies, another one which had a contract. And after every session I would be asked to sign a sheet which on it said, I had been given jobs to follow up, had one to one session, made plans for next week, none of which happened. It must be common.     All of these with big fat contracts and big fat bank balances. They are poverty pimps.     Blooming  chum ism, who know nothing about struggling in life.   They all pee in the same trough. No, they all eat out of it.

Me, being me, questioned it. As I felt this company were saying every week they were doing something that they wasn't.
Now if I did not keep to my my side of the contract I would have lost my money.

Anyway I looked in to it and got a response from the jobcentre saying how brilliant the staff and company was and it helped everyone who went there. It would say that if what was down on paper was incorrect.

It all boils down to this. I have always known about the large divide between those with, and those without.
But when it is daily put in front of you! I've summed it up as a group of people all who have plenty of money and so have the time to sit and think up these ideas of how they make even more money for themselves and their friends, avoiding paying tax, or even knowing what it is like to have to make difficult decisions about basic things like existing. That you get so consumed with these thoughts you have very little time or energy for anything else.

Interview

Well I went for the interview this morning and it went ok
There were 3 people asking me a range of questions, ranging from, what would I do if someone collapsed in a doorway.????
Also, some  scenarios, and questions about why I want to work there?? you know that sort of thing.

Yet again they were going to let me know today.

Well I've had no call - so it's a no then :(

I am a bit gutted-no I am a lot gutted.

It was temporary while the lady was on maternity leave.

I had gone thinking this job has my name on it. It is the only way to think. As if I go thinking here I go again along with how ever many others.  Then well whats the point??

It is really tiring though, as out of loads of jobs I have applied for , I have only got close to a few, ie interview.

What's wrong with me I am thinking?? why ?? I just want a job, a job that is mine one I can get up in the morning and feel I am getting paid for this.

I am due to do yet another course starting next week, a PC one.  The amount of hours I have put in trying to improve my skills.  In just over 3 years I have done no less than 16 training and courses. From one day ones, to one I did lasting nearly 8 months.

I am not finding all this easier, I am finding it blooming harder. Harder to keep thinking, oh it will happen for me - it has to. It is just a matter of time. Well how much time?  What do I have to do?  I am tired of it all now, I am all over the place doing one thing or another, spreading my self really thinly. For what???

The speaker in the house of commons wife, said in one of her articles in the paper yesterday about the work programme. " People are misguided if they think there are no jobs out there"  It made me angry. Would that be a none job then?? like many of her gang  do??  or appear on reality tv shows.
 follow link
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/posts/view/236154/-Slave-jobs-stacking-up/

Oh, it must be all of them jobs in the job centre, the ones that you do not get paid for, because you would get taken on for one of those.
I haven't had much luck with any of the few others in there.
Going to bed.   :(

Job advertised 25 hours pw. Job Seekers plus travel expenses.

http://jobcentreplus.jobhits.co.uk/RETAIL-ASSISTANT-id-EAN-29944

This was a job advertised on the direct.gov site. Take a look.

WHAT A JOKE!!!
RETAIL ASSISTANT in FISHPONDS ROAD BS16 - Directgov jobs and skills search - Job details jobcentreplus.jobhits.co.ukThis is a Work Experience Opportunity for 18-24 year olds. Retail placement available with Superdrug on Fishponds Road. Duties as required by the Store Manager

Why would they take on anyone properly when they can do this??
There was another one similar advertised by Tesco recently. There are quite a few large companies signed up to these unpaid job scemes, and it is them, and them alone who benefit from this. However some companies  have pulled out as it becomes public knowledge, people are choosing not to shop there.
The people who work there and get paid are sometimes having their hours cut, as the work can be done for free.
After all why would a company pay someone when they do not have to?? and this is allowed and set up by our government.
The work is not a few hours. It is up to 30 a week for 8 week. And then you can be sent to another one.
There are thousands doing this. You do not even get the NMW.

THIS HAS TO STOP

Another Interview

I received a call yesterday, it was a call to ask me if I would like to go for an interview?
Well I do not want to say too much about it, as the job is really local, in fact just up my street in more ways than one. I dare not get my hopes up too high, yet need to also feel that this job has my name on it.

Any way I will update with any news.

I got my feed back from the other interview I had. It was all good constructive advice. Maybe it will help me in this next interview.

Not much else to say really. I am seeing my JC advisor on Friday. I have asked about a course, so will find out more about it.

New advisor

Well, after I had been an official Job Seeker for one year, it was decided I would be sent to a private company for a further year, to "help me find a job" That is now also over.  They did not do a deal of anything really, only they have so many people in there at one time it was difficult to even get a few minutes. Anyway, my year came to an end. I was then refered back to the job centre for a one to one with an advisor for 6 months, so they could help me.

I have had 3 appoinments with her and on my last visit (Friday) was told she is moving to a different position so will have a new advisor from now on.

The advisor gives me print outs of jobs to take home and apply for. On 3 occasions now the jobs have already met their deadlines. I have mentioned this a few times, as it seems on the print outs there is very little information, and no end date.

I was also told many of these are advertised through a third party as the employers do not want people contacting them directly. I can understand that but it is so blooming frustrating at times. It takes a lot of thought and time to fill in the application forms as you can not just send cv's. They want to know, what they want to know, and you have to fit yourself into the person spec and job spec.

The advisor did admit that there is alot of outdated stuff and told me about the employers wishing to remain anonymous. Yet we send our lifes out daily to who knows where???

I have just realised also that I have been writing this Blog for almost a year. I don't like to think about that though, as I really can not believe it. It has gone so slow, yet so quick at the same time.

Update of my interview

Well I received a call re a job I'd applied for. It was my dream job, advising, helping and supporting people.

I was so excited, as although I had applied, didn't really expect to hear as it's quite normal not to even get any response. Anyway I went for the interview and it seemed to go ok ish. There was loads of questions, such as fact and situation based. ( Explain things in volume and complexity of certain situations and of your experience).

At the end I was told I would hear one way or the other today, Ideally.

I didn't hear that day or the next, so assumed it to be a no..

It did make me start wondering though, what had they thought?? how had I come across??
I need some feed back for next time.

I decide to find out if possible. Anyway this morning I got a letter, " Although we really enjoyed meeting you, unfortunately on this ocassion we were unable to offer the posiition for which you applied. Thank you for your interest in working for us and all the best for the future. If you decide you would like some feedback then please contact us on ...."

I am in the process of doing this.

I have applied for a few new local jobs, due to an expansion of a company in town, and another not far from me. It is a while since any have come up locally.
So fingers crossed.
I am due to see my advisor again soon to see how things are going. I don't know about anything else, but this month has bloomin flown.

2.4 million kids in poverty.

I was watching something on the TV tonight, 4 thought TV,  2.4 million kids in poverty. One was talking about how his mum's benefit was going to be cut and how he worried she would be unable to pay the bills. He was also worried he may be taken away from her.  It's a sad thing to hear, but it is so real and needs to be put out there for people to know. When you talk about poverty to some people, they think it is far away countries with kids and pot bellies with empty bowls in their hands. They do not understand the people in this country where every day is a stuggle to put food on the table, or gas in the meter.
 copy and paste ( link)
http://www.4thought.tv/themes/what-does-child-poverty-mean-to-you/tommy?autoplay=true

Well Christmas came and went. It was ok.  I didn't get paid and they were shut which in not surprising.
It was due to an administation error on the 16th Dec, yet took them almost two weeks to become aware of it.

Anyway it's been a while since I was last on here and it reminds me just how rubbish my search for a job has been so far. I do not feel closer to paid employment, I feel a million miles away from it.

I honestly thought I would have something by now, ok maybe I have took off my rosey glasses now, and I would be made up if I got a dream job, but  facing the cold truth is horrible.

My kids both leave education this year and the urgency to get paid work is greater now than ever, as when they leave education my child tax credit and child benefit will stop.

My kids will not all of a sudden not eat or need heat etc. It will be a massive cut to my income, and nothing realistic to replace it yet, so I really do not know.

I have been waiting on a few replies from vacancies which I filled in  applications for. I sent off my cv and then they sent me the forms - one is quite local so fingers crossed.

I will update if I hear anything.