Signing on today
Mar 14 2007
I am signing on for the first time in about 5 years, so just looking for some tips.What is the minimum number of jobs you can say you'll look for in a fortnight? 2? I am gonna get some money off them for interview clothes, any other things I should try to wangle off them?
Mar 14 2007
#2
I think you can get deodorant off them - pretty fancy eh? - and maybe money for a haircut.
Mar 14 2007
#3
They'll give you a little booklet to document your job search, just write stuff like "Called blahblah re: postion as blah" or "Sent CV to someone or other" a few times a week. Works for me, anyway.
Mar 14 2007
#4
2 jobs is quite alot 
Mar 14 2007
#5
John. wrote:
and maybe money for a haircut.
cool ill get the money and then get a mohawk, fuck the man!
Mar 14 2007
#6
gav wrote:
fuck the man!
yeah! i'm sick of those gaylords bumming us!
Mar 21 2007
#7
I'd say that 2 jobs per week (and send spec letters if you haven't got real jobs to apply to) should keep them off your back (worked for me for the last 3 years or so).
And if you get a mohawk, they're allowed to close your claim because you're making it more difficult to find a job (as a hat-model, for instance).
But you've probably signed on by now, sorry for the late post...
Mar 21 2007
#8
Haha, sucks to be Gav, you're gonna have to get a hair cut!
Mar 21 2007
#9
slothjabber wrote:
But you've probably signed on by now, sorry for the late post...
Yeah and then got a job!
Mar 21 2007
#10
gav wrote:
cool ill get the money and then get a mohawk, fuck the man!
with what, who would notice? Or has it been that long since I saw you last
Mar 21 2007
#11
One tip that saw me through 6 years on the dole is to have 2 CVs, the one you show them and the one you send out. Eg hobbies and interests: Animal Rights.
I did get an interview out of it once though - veggie interviewer
Mar 22 2007
#12
I heard a rumour about one occasional poster on here that he always put on his interests "trade unionism"
Mar 22 2007
#13
Shit, putting communism and a link to my Myspace is probably a bad idea, isn't it. 
Mar 22 2007
#14
Didn't revolutionrugger manage to get a job even though he put all his organising stuff on his CV (although he actually wanted the job so it must have been some kind of a double bluff)
Mar 27 2007
#15
gav wrote:
I am signing on for the first time in about 5 years, so just looking for some tips.What is the minimum number of jobs you can say you'll look for in a fortnight? 2? I am gonna get some money off them for interview clothes, any other things I should try to wangle off them?
Tell them you are going to found a public limited company; worked with me
Mar 27 2007
#16
Jack wrote:
Shit, putting communism and a link to my Myspace is probably a bad idea, isn't it.
ha! I've done that on job applications (not the myspace bit, my myspace is shit) and got an interview.
Mar 30 2007
#17
You actually got any money off them yet?
It only took them 6 weeks to sort my claim out and that was a pretty straight foward case!
Good thing i got a job in that time or i wouldve had to a) file for bankruptcy or b) sell my beautiful les paul.
I'd suggest getting any dentist or optomertrist work sorted while your doling as it'll save you a fair whack.
Mar 31 2007
#18
Great news! The DWP have decided to give me an interview to help me back into work, like the lovely, understanding people they are 
I've been signing on for three months does this mean they're wanting to shift me to the New Deal? I've always managed to at least get a couple of weeks before I've been forced to got to one of these things before, so I don't know what to expect.
It says to "bring any leters you have about jobs you have applied for", but I've been throwing them all out after I got rejected. How fucked am I?
Mar 31 2007
#19
Don't worry, the 3 month interview is a breeze. All they do is go through your Jobseeker's agreement again and ask if its all still relevant. You just have to nod your head at the right time. They might try and alter the minimum wage and hours you'll except and the type of work your willing to do. Its best to try and stop them, but it can effect your benefit.
The New Deal only gets going after 6 months and then only if you're under 25. As for the letters, they've never asked to see mine even at 6 and 9 month interviews, but to be safe just apply to a load of jobs and try and collect a few or write a little bullshit diary saying that you did this and that. If you tell them you've done something they haven't really got any right to not accept it as truth.
Mar 31 2007
#20
Yeah it is too soon for the New Bloomin Deal... the advice above is sound.. and they will be dead impressed about the teaching assistant job you got offered pending the paperwork...(don't forget to update me in your next pm...)
Hey marrillo welcome to the boards and how nice your first post should be helping someone with some sterling advice. 
If you wanna you can introduce yourself in the intro thread at the top of libcommunity.
Love
LW X
They'll be after evidence that you're both available for and actively seeking employment. You should be able to get them off your backs for a bit by saying you'll be registering with a couple of employment agencies. Also mention the papers/magazines you'll be looking for jobs in. Depending on where you live/personal circumstances, you might be able to wangle money for travelling to job interviews --although they won't pay that unless you have evidence that you've got an interview.
Also, if you have the form filled in before your interview, they'll love you forever. (I used to do that job).