So guess what? I am now required to visit my favourite place every week now. I love the job centre, I really do. Well no, I don't. Ha. I actually do not begrudge going to the job centre, what I really begrudge is the fact that because youth unemployment is SO HIGH, the staff are working to limits which can't be met because there is an endless stream of young people coming into the centre. They can't connect with them, actually find out what's been happening, find out what they can or can't do.
There isn't enough time in the day for them to actually do their job which is to assist you in finding work. I've been in recently and been told "it's a quick sign on because we're busy" and fair enough, they're busy. I don't give a shit, I've got questions, and I want answers etc. I've just paid £3 for parking and been sat waiting for 25 minutes after my appointment, I'm making this a good one. Now don't get me wrong - there are some genuinely good people who work in the job centre, but the amount of paper work/data entry they have to complete on a single case isn't relative to the amount of time they have to do it. This is why they aren't actually able to do their jobs properly. It's frustrating.
Furthermore, I know that youth unemployment is high, but I actually feel that the government are forgetting about every Tom, Dick and Harry out there. What about the guy who worked for a company for 24years, he was made redundant and it's the only place he ever worked. What are you going to do about him? And what about Judy who worked as an administrator for 39 years for the same company since she was 16, she's well into her 50's and hasn't got a fucking clue what to do. What are you going to do about her? Probably nothing, because they are forgetting the older generation (forgive the 'older), but they are.
What are these people meant to do. I understand that I require the help as well, but I feel like the older generation are being given up on because they've been in work a long time. I don't know whether it is the attitude that because they worked for so long surely they are able to get into something else, or because they can't be bothered with them because they'd have to spend time educating on how the job hunt has changed. I know that my attitude sounds ageist, assuming that all older people can't use the internet etc, but when you get older your reactions are slower and you can't take on information as quickly. That is my point, it will cost time and (more) money helping others understand the idea of searching for a job online. Whereas it's quite likely that young people know the internet fairly well.
Just to slightly digress from the subject, the job centre relies too heavily on targets. This was made apparent to me when someone was telling me how their parent was made to take a English and Maths skills test, which they passed with about 2 or 3 answers wrong, they did well because they're clearly competent. ANYWAYS, apparently, they aren't competent and were told they would have to attend a workshop for 5 hours every week to improve their skills. So, you tell me, are you happy that your taxes are going to pay for this? Providing a class for people who can clearly write a clear sentence and add up. Are you happy? I wouldn't be if I were forced to give up a percentage of my wage packet to pay for something which only makes the job centre APPEAR good.
I just do not understand the job centre. I sometimes think I could do a bloody better job of running the way the job centre spends time/money. I feel like more emphasis is placed on youth unemployment because it's another way to bad mouth the young - when most people I know who are unemployed just want to be in work, paying their way in life.
Urgh. Role on the day I get a job and never have to step foot in that shit hole again.
Got something to say? Do it. Leave a comment, they're ALWAYS appreciated.
or you can get on the Twitters, @DebStevo90
:)
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Sunday, 14 October 2012
One in a million.: Job Centre 11/10/12
One in a million.: Job Centre 11/10/12: Oh so, this week I rocked up to the job centre a whole TWO HOURS early - luckily I noticed just before I went in to save the embarrassment o...
Job Centre 11/10/12
Oh so, this week I rocked up to the job centre a whole TWO HOURS early - luckily I noticed just before I went in to save the embarrassment of it looking like I just wanted to be there so bad, I rocked up two hours early. Oh the shame. And, I'd just spent like £3 on parking - one was NOT amused.
You're going to see even more posts about the job centre now as I've been informed that the system is changing and I'll be in weekly. A system that lets everyone down when it's every two weeks, imagine the CHAOS with every week. My adviser doesn't seem amused that the system has changed and I'll be in every other week for an interview, I think she knows I am not an idiot - but she can't exactly say that when other people are around.
I applied for some really decent work experience the other week - but the job centre had to sort it all out because it was through them. I'm not sure why they bother to promote this "18 - 24 youth contract" because it's bullshit - I sent my CV in, like I was told you, as soon as I got home - I had updated it since I last sent it in. And I kept ringing up to enquire about what was happening with both my adviser and the work experience guy. And still nothing. When my adviser looked on my file - she said "was you late for the interview or something?" "WHAT INTERVIEW?". So it turns out, that the woman who is supposed to sift through the CVs and forward them to the correct places, completely bypassed mine and then didn't send it till a good week after, by this time, they had closed the applications and mine was not considered.
THANKS JOB CENTRE (Y)
So that wasn't a great start to my interview with her. There aren't really many work experience placements out there, so I am again going to have to self market myself and HOPE that someone says yes. Apart from the work experience situation, my visit to the job centre wasn't too horrible this week - can't say I still love it.
Anyhow, comments as always are very welcome.
Tweet me if you'd like, @DebStevo90
Enjoy!
Stevo! :)x
You're going to see even more posts about the job centre now as I've been informed that the system is changing and I'll be in weekly. A system that lets everyone down when it's every two weeks, imagine the CHAOS with every week. My adviser doesn't seem amused that the system has changed and I'll be in every other week for an interview, I think she knows I am not an idiot - but she can't exactly say that when other people are around.
I applied for some really decent work experience the other week - but the job centre had to sort it all out because it was through them. I'm not sure why they bother to promote this "18 - 24 youth contract" because it's bullshit - I sent my CV in, like I was told you, as soon as I got home - I had updated it since I last sent it in. And I kept ringing up to enquire about what was happening with both my adviser and the work experience guy. And still nothing. When my adviser looked on my file - she said "was you late for the interview or something?" "WHAT INTERVIEW?". So it turns out, that the woman who is supposed to sift through the CVs and forward them to the correct places, completely bypassed mine and then didn't send it till a good week after, by this time, they had closed the applications and mine was not considered.
THANKS JOB CENTRE (Y)
So that wasn't a great start to my interview with her. There aren't really many work experience placements out there, so I am again going to have to self market myself and HOPE that someone says yes. Apart from the work experience situation, my visit to the job centre wasn't too horrible this week - can't say I still love it.
Anyhow, comments as always are very welcome.
Tweet me if you'd like, @DebStevo90
Enjoy!
Stevo! :)x
Saturday, 13 October 2012
One in a million.: WHY do I even have a degree?
One in a million.: WHY do I even have a degree?: Is the question I now ask myself. For several weeks now it has been playing on my mind, I've discussed it with friends and had it mentione...
WHY do I even have a degree?
Is the question I now ask myself.
For several weeks now it has been playing on my mind, I've discussed it with friends and had it mentioned to me by people who haven't had to look for a job for 30+ years (what the hell do they know about today?) However, I now begin to ask myself why did I go to university? Why did I spend EIGHTEEN THOUSAND POUNDS gaining a degree which I am now being told, I should take off my curriculum vitae because it makes me look over qualified.
I was told today and many times before today "well, if an employer sees you've got a degree they're going to think you'll be out of here self stacking or whatever at the first available moment"... well obviously, who wakes up and realizes one day their dream is to stack shelves? I know it isn't mine. I don't have anything against those who do that for a living, I just know I want something better for myself. Also, I am not naive in thinking I am going to walk into a job straight away either - I know I am going to have to work hard and then work my way up.
Anyways, I've started applying again for all kinds of jobs in London - that's where my market is, where the money is. It's sad, but true. This week hasn't been good - I've been frustrated because nobody wants to give you a chance - that's all I want, to prove I can do it! I know people who are in jobs which actually uses their degree, which is quite handy really, because it proves that it can be done - you just have to work harder at looking for the right position. My friend just got her first out of university job - dead proud - and she'll be using her Mathematics degree, it can be done, and it's a pretty decent job too!
Urgh, I'm annoyed this week, I am either really mad, or crying. My poor mother does not know what the shit to do with me.
Remember, leave comments if you'd like - they're appreciated, even when they're negative. Or you could get on the Twitters, @DebStevo90
Have a lovely weekend - :)
Stevo :)x
For several weeks now it has been playing on my mind, I've discussed it with friends and had it mentioned to me by people who haven't had to look for a job for 30+ years (what the hell do they know about today?) However, I now begin to ask myself why did I go to university? Why did I spend EIGHTEEN THOUSAND POUNDS gaining a degree which I am now being told, I should take off my curriculum vitae because it makes me look over qualified.
I was told today and many times before today "well, if an employer sees you've got a degree they're going to think you'll be out of here self stacking or whatever at the first available moment"... well obviously, who wakes up and realizes one day their dream is to stack shelves? I know it isn't mine. I don't have anything against those who do that for a living, I just know I want something better for myself. Also, I am not naive in thinking I am going to walk into a job straight away either - I know I am going to have to work hard and then work my way up.
Anyways, I've started applying again for all kinds of jobs in London - that's where my market is, where the money is. It's sad, but true. This week hasn't been good - I've been frustrated because nobody wants to give you a chance - that's all I want, to prove I can do it! I know people who are in jobs which actually uses their degree, which is quite handy really, because it proves that it can be done - you just have to work harder at looking for the right position. My friend just got her first out of university job - dead proud - and she'll be using her Mathematics degree, it can be done, and it's a pretty decent job too!
Urgh, I'm annoyed this week, I am either really mad, or crying. My poor mother does not know what the shit to do with me.
Remember, leave comments if you'd like - they're appreciated, even when they're negative. Or you could get on the Twitters, @DebStevo90
Have a lovely weekend - :)
Stevo :)x
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
One in a million.: Job Centre 03/10/2012
One in a million.: Job Centre 03/10/2012: You know as usual, the job centre was a barrel of laughs. I was surprised actually, I wasn't kept waiting as long as I usually am. Maybe the...
Job Centre 03/10/2012
You know as usual, the job centre was a barrel of laughs. I was surprised actually, I wasn't kept waiting as long as I usually am. Maybe they've found my blog bitching about the time they take to see me and thought they had better do something about it. Although, that's probably not likely.
I saw a woman who was just 'helping out' getting people signed on because they were busy - and I could tell that she wanted to get me signed on and out the door as quick as possible. I don't care. I had questions and I wanted answers, so I stayed a good half an hour knowing that she wanted me gone. Hahahaha. We talked about the usual bull, "how's your job hunt going" etc, it's going okay, I just wish that I could get a damn interview for somewhere then the employer would love me and want me to start straight away... I wish. Hahaha. Anyhow, she did comment on how detailed I fill out my form week in, week out. Which was nice, because I do spend the time writing absolutely everything in, I don't want to be accused of being a slacker.
So I did all my question and answer session with Mary, or whatever her name was, she seemed annoyed by me because I had to change appointments round for being at a funeral on my next appointment. I felt like turning round and saying "people die mate, I can't help that the funeral was organised for this day, shall I ring them back up and say 'sorry, would it be possible to change the funeral to another day because job centre are being dicks about me not going to my appointment' err no" So yeah, now I am going on another day, suckas!
After terrorising this woman for a good half hour, I decided that someone else needed some Deborah time! So, off I went to see Moray - the work experience guy, I really like him actually, he seems like a really nice guy who just wants to help, so I can't get arsey with him. Anyways, I asked him to go to the job fair - I wanted a specific time to go because Eve was going to, it's no fun rocking up to these things alone is it? I don't think that amused him - oh well, at least I want to go and he isn't having to ask me to go! We looked at a few work experience positions but any that I was interested in had already been taken by someone else, boo!
There was only one other one that I was sort of interested in - it was a retail one, I figured a little bit of experience wouldn't hurt. However, when we looked at the requirements for the job, I actually felt angry. The position was a 'retail opperative' for a spice shop - you know like the 'chilli jam man' and one of the requirements was you MUST like spicy food, I told Moray it was ridiculous requirement so don't even put me forward for it. I was told that when you're trying to sell a product, surely you should like it, otherwise what is the point? But seriously, how many retail assistants couldn't give a hoot about the shit they're shovelling? Moray was adamant that you should like the product you're selling, but I think differently, if you're a good liar (me) you can sell anything.
So all in all another disappointing visit to the job centre, it's not the end of the world because I am now writing for three separate blogs/magazines without the help of the job centre, AND I've been invited to a second round application for the journalism scheme I applied for (yay).
Anyways, I'll have some new posts up by the weekend
Remember, I love comments, so tell me what you think.
or Tweet me @DebStevo90
:)x
I saw a woman who was just 'helping out' getting people signed on because they were busy - and I could tell that she wanted to get me signed on and out the door as quick as possible. I don't care. I had questions and I wanted answers, so I stayed a good half an hour knowing that she wanted me gone. Hahahaha. We talked about the usual bull, "how's your job hunt going" etc, it's going okay, I just wish that I could get a damn interview for somewhere then the employer would love me and want me to start straight away... I wish. Hahaha. Anyhow, she did comment on how detailed I fill out my form week in, week out. Which was nice, because I do spend the time writing absolutely everything in, I don't want to be accused of being a slacker.
So I did all my question and answer session with Mary, or whatever her name was, she seemed annoyed by me because I had to change appointments round for being at a funeral on my next appointment. I felt like turning round and saying "people die mate, I can't help that the funeral was organised for this day, shall I ring them back up and say 'sorry, would it be possible to change the funeral to another day because job centre are being dicks about me not going to my appointment' err no" So yeah, now I am going on another day, suckas!
After terrorising this woman for a good half hour, I decided that someone else needed some Deborah time! So, off I went to see Moray - the work experience guy, I really like him actually, he seems like a really nice guy who just wants to help, so I can't get arsey with him. Anyways, I asked him to go to the job fair - I wanted a specific time to go because Eve was going to, it's no fun rocking up to these things alone is it? I don't think that amused him - oh well, at least I want to go and he isn't having to ask me to go! We looked at a few work experience positions but any that I was interested in had already been taken by someone else, boo!
There was only one other one that I was sort of interested in - it was a retail one, I figured a little bit of experience wouldn't hurt. However, when we looked at the requirements for the job, I actually felt angry. The position was a 'retail opperative' for a spice shop - you know like the 'chilli jam man' and one of the requirements was you MUST like spicy food, I told Moray it was ridiculous requirement so don't even put me forward for it. I was told that when you're trying to sell a product, surely you should like it, otherwise what is the point? But seriously, how many retail assistants couldn't give a hoot about the shit they're shovelling? Moray was adamant that you should like the product you're selling, but I think differently, if you're a good liar (me) you can sell anything.
So all in all another disappointing visit to the job centre, it's not the end of the world because I am now writing for three separate blogs/magazines without the help of the job centre, AND I've been invited to a second round application for the journalism scheme I applied for (yay).
Anyways, I'll have some new posts up by the weekend
Remember, I love comments, so tell me what you think.
or Tweet me @DebStevo90
:)x
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)