The job hunting support thread

[weepiper]

so it wasn't too bad actually, I got a pretty sympathetic guy who seemed to understand the barriers. Bit knobbed off to find I'm going to have to reapply for JSA from scratch when my youngest turns 5 in March, the Income Support claim just runs out, they don't transfer you across. This means Housing Benefit will inevitably throw an eppy and suspend my claim with them as soon as DWP pass it on that the Income Support claim has finished. Am a bit about this as there's a strong chance it won't be sorted in time for my rent getting paid in April. Of course, I might have a job by then...

 

[extra dry]

Good luck to all!!

 

[sorearm]

good luck caphat and cloo!

bah received an email rejection from a job I would loved to have done, it's way down south-west. hmmmm. saw some interesting scientist jobs in birmingham (3-4 posts), already applied for one set, just need to tweak the application forms for the other one.

feeling shitty about not even getting interviews atm quite frankly.

 

[Cloo]

Sorry to hear that sorearm - I had a bad run between early November and, well, today, of no interviews, so it does happen.

I think mine actually went well. As in better than me thinking 'Yeah, that was OK' afterwards, and realising, a few hours/days later 'Actually, that was a bit crap, wasn't it?' and obviously, things go no further. Decent rapport - lady was not a great interviewer, but don't think that did me any harm - and she seemed keen, but maybe she's like that with everyone.

The really good news is that one of their other editors has just resigned, which means there's now two roles going (doing the same thing on a slightly different publication), so that improves the outlook somewhat if I get to stage two, which will be more 'technical', but sure it's nothing I can't handle. She's seeing two more folks tomorrow, then hopes to let the agent know in the evening or next morning - I think it might happen this time.

Definitely really want this job - the commute is OK (about 50 mins) and she's said they're cool with working from home once people are settled in, which could be a massive bonus. Plus I've confirmed it is 9-5, so no potential issues with gsv's new working hours from next week.

 

[weltweit]

Forgetfulness: I went to a do last night and turned my mobile onto silent, as you do. Today nobody called me which was odd as I was expecting some calls. Come 4.45 pm I realised I had forgotten to switch the phone back off silent, 4 missed calls and loads of messages ... what a wally!

 

[jakethesnake]

I'm finding the mood swings associated with all this a bit difficult... i had two months of highs (not going to lose my job) and lows (oh shit, gonna lose my job), then the shock of losing the job which was also a relief because at least i knew. And now, felt high yesterday (probably be ok, get a job soon), low today (oh fuck, unemployed again)... arghh! I feel like i'm going mad!

 

[purenarcotic]

Oh right, I'm down with the reading and research, but I'm no good at rehearsing answers. I'm too self-conscious of people thinking that I've clearly rehearsed my answers. I also have trouble recalling anything more specific than general points. Need to practice that more somehow. On Friday, i have to convince a bunch of people that I know lots about the state of education currently and I only really just learned what academies were last night.

When they say 'state of education' - what do they mean? Recent policies? The way schools are structured?

 

[mrs quoad]

Have spent the last 2 weeks working on an application that looks *extremely* well tailored to my interests and expertise.

My supervisor had a read-through of my application letter and suggested expanding it considerably, though.

A 2-2.5 page covering letter? Hmmmmm. Concerned!

Invited for interview. I'm surprised, with a covering letter that f***ing massive!

 

[8115]

Oh right, I'm down with the reading and research, but I'm no good at rehearsing answers. I'm too self-conscious of people thinking that I've clearly rehearsed my answers. I also have trouble recalling anything more specific than general points. Need to practice that more somehow. On Friday, i have to convince a bunch of people that I know lots about the state of education currently and I only really just learned what academies were last night.

TES magazine online, Guardian education online?

 

[8115]

Also you will have first hand experience from your voluntary work.

 

[purenarcotic]

This might be of use, too, Orang Utan - http://www.dontwasteyourtime.co.uk/awards/top-10-uk-education-and-teaching-blogs/ - the top 10 education related blogs.

 

[extra dry]

Been given the nod for a management role in the place where I work..just need to write a covering letter and pass an internal interview. Surprised, shocked, nervous and excited at the same time, only been with the company for five months.

 

[Cloo]

Uhm... stupid question time, but thought I'd better check. Do the Job Centre hold on to your P45? I remember I took it to show them, but I haven't seen it since, so I'm assuming they kept it, as that'd make sense in terms of people not being able to start work legally without it.

 

[Firky]

The JC don't keep people's P45s for them, that would be taking the nannystate thing to the extreme (plus they wouldn't have the space given all the people on the rock). If you have lost it ask your employer for a P46 when you start work or download it yourself:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/p46exemptonline.pdf

I keep all my important docs like P45s in one of those fireproof boxes. You can get them on amazon, they're lockable so you're more inclined to keep in mind that the document is important and not be so careless with it IYSWIM.

£40 for a decent one

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sentry-Safe...3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1359548523&sr=1-3-catcorr

£20 for a lockable biscuit tin

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fireproof-S...r_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1359548523&sr=1-1

 

[Cloo]

Got the second interview on Tuesday!

I think this might be it this time, as the manager definitely seems keen on me, but I won't rest on my laurels and will make sure I get myself well prepped for round 2.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Uhm... stupid question time, but thought I'd better check. Do the Job Centre hold on to your P45? I remember I took it to show them, but I haven't seen it since, so I'm assuming they kept it, as that'd make sense in terms of people not being able to start work legally without it.

When I got a P45 (just over a year ago) it was in either duplicate or triplicate - one copy you keep, one copy goes to your new employer (or to the job centre if you go on to benefits) - I've no idea whether a new employer keeps it or sends it to HMRC or what.

If you've been on benefits, I think the DWP / job centre will give you a P45 (or equivalent thereof) when you sign off. (it's been quite a while since I was on the dole, so I may be out of touch here)

But as Firky has rightly said, you can complete a P46 when starting a job if for whatever reason you don't have a P45, it's not that uncommon (e.g. people taking on a second, part-time job) and new employers' payroll people should be quite used to this. There's boxes to tick to say whether this new job is going to be your only job or not. The worst that could happen is you might pay too much tax for the first few weeks while they sort it out, but you should get this refunded / knocked off future tax.

A P45 alone isn't sufficient to prove legal right to work in the UK (since my passport lapsed a couple of years ago and I haven't bothered to renew it, I've had difficulty proving I exist with one or two employers -although I do have a 'long form' birth certificate issued shortly after I was born (if parents had never bothered with this, or lost the damn thing, I think I'd be in the shit)

one thing I was thinking about applying for yesterday wants you to upload a scan of your passport (no alternative options listed) as part of their online application form.

ETA

Got the second interview on Tuesday!

 

[Orang Utan]

Uhm... stupid question time, but thought I'd better check. Do the Job Centre hold on to your P45? I remember I took it to show them, but I haven't seen it since, so I'm assuming they kept it, as that'd make sense in terms of people not being able to start work legally without it.

You don't need a P45 to start work

 

[nagapie]

You don't need a P45 to start work

How was your first day?!

 

[Orang Utan]

Not as scary as I thought it was, but it is going to be tough.

 

[nagapie]

Not as scary as I thought it was, but it is going to be tough.

Character building You'll have to tell me all about it, maybe I'll come out on Friday so you can give me the details.

 

[Orang Utan]

Yes do! Otherwise I'll never see you again!
Will also have to be discreet on here about details now I have a responsible public service job

 

[nagapie]

Yes do! Otherwise I'll never see you again!
Will also have to be discreet on here about details now I have a responsible public service job

You're always welcome at ours at the weekend, although I realise you probably usually have more exciting things to do, especially now you'll be waged again.

 

[Cloo]

So, if I do get offered this job, I think I've named too low a salary expectation to the agent (at the bottom of the scale, when i could feasible ask the middle). I don't know if she's told this to the employers or not. I have been told, and am prepared to, ask for more at offer stage if it comes to it, but I'm wondering, if the agent hasn't told them, should I just tell her now anyway, and then that's done with. I keep reminding myself they won't dump you for asking and also that agents should be inclined to negotiate for more on your behalf.

I guess I underasked as I'd been a bit beaten down by the length of unemployment, and a few agents sucking their breath or saying 'Well, that's quite a bit increase from your last salary' if I named than a 10% or so rise in salary as my expectation. This is not a commercial organisation as such, so it will be less bottom-line minded than a publishers. And, as I said, I'd still not be asking for the top of the scale they were offering.

 

[devit]

Cloo - I completely understand your predicament and particularly the part about being beaten down. I'm coming up to 19 months with no job. I also tend to go in low, partly due to lack of self-esteem and also to make myself more viable (from a cost perspective). That said, go in too low and the employer may question abilities to do the job!

For your situation I'd definitely contact the agent; as you said it's in their interest for you to get a higher salary/package so they won't have a problem with it. If you get offered and the agency had told them a lower amount, then try to regain that confidence you had before being unemployed, and think "yes, I'm worth it - they want me", and negotiate with the amount you do want. It doesn't have to be hardball and most employers (I believe) expect some negotiation if it's within the salary band they advertised.

 

[fractionMan]

I imagine the agent gets more dough the more you get paid so it's in their interests to help

I had to negotiate the salary for my new job. It was as simple as saying, that's not as much as I was expecting, would you meet me half way to my expected pay. It's hard to recruit in my line and given you said this "I'm assuming they're a bit desperate to find someone, as this agency doesn't normally contact people this much!" I'd go for it.

 

[Cloo]

Well, what I might say, in my case (and I think it's not untrue) is that as things started looking likely, I looked more closely into my childcare costs with two and found I'd need a little extra to actually make a difference to our net income compared to my last role.

 

[sorearm]

bah another email rejection for technicians job (but I didn't meet all the essential criteria so they would have gone with others no doubt).

still got others in the bag but getting major pissed off at not even interviews, feel my self-confidence sapping a bit atm.

doing some undergrad demonstration at the university over the next month, went on demonstrator training, felt anxious but it went OK.

 

[fractionMan]

Well, what I might say, in my case (and I think it's not untrue) is that as things started looking likely, I looked more closely into my childcare costs with two and found I'd need a little extra to actually make a difference to our net income compared to my last role.

I said something similar around increased commute costs, which was also true

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Of the crop of current applications, I have an invite to an interview 'selection event' -

for what's really the 'last resort' among the applications I currently have in in terms of pay / commuting costs and so on.

i suppose i'd better go for it.

being temporary civil service admin, the volume of bumf to fill in and take is enormous.

 

[CF4BZ]

I am so glad that I found this thread. I have had employment er issues since August, got fired/made redundant did an internship where in the time I was there the company folded (nothing to do with me I promise!) and then temped for three days a week. Being unemployed is awful!!! Good to keep each other motivated and off online TV!!!

Unfortunately I am now having to move out of Brixton this weekend in back in with the parents bad times!