HR Magazine

That's: Personal Development Resource Centre. I am now being forced to attend this centre for 13 weeks, for what purpose is unclear. Actually, I have worked it out: it is so the powers-that-be can witness me job searching and not just take my word for it. The company offers a service along the lines of Penna, except it's a very poor imitation. The advisors speak as if to children (we were shown what envelopes look like, for goodness sake!) and can't speak very well ('den' and 'dat' instead of 'then' and 'that'), but then I guess their target audience is the lower end of the job market and maybe that's what these people relate to. Each week at the PDRC, I have to take the addresses of five companies I would like to work for, print out letters and CVs, address envelopes and allow a member of staff to post them. I think that backs-up my theory of being seen to be job searching. The PDRC offers nothing apart from facilities: no contacts or hot job leads, just another way of leaning on the unemployed under the guise of helping. Maybe I am being too unkind, as the group I'm in contains people that wouldn't know what a CV is even if it bit them on the bum, so just maybe it is a useful resource. I had a look at a number of folders containing advertised jobs: catering; warehouse; drivers - you get the picture of the level that this PDRC is aiming at. I may have trouble finding five fresh companies in my sector each week as I've carpet-bombed London with my CV over the past six months so my pool is somewhat small. Oh yes, I was blown-out by the estate agent for lack of experience. I knew that and they knew that before we met, so why see me? The search for the mythical job continues.

Oh well, what a surprise: Red Lorry Yellow Lorry isn't happening. I phoned the company last Thursday as it had been nearly six weeks since the interview. The person I needed to speak to wasn't available so I left a message. This went against my career coaching advice as messages are rarely returned, but I thought 'why not', as I intended to call again regardless. Amazingly, I was called on Friday so no need for me to be a pest. Apparently, no progress has been made with the role so it is now on-hold, but they'll be in-touch if and when. Not sure what needed progressing: either there's a job or there isn't. I may be shooting myself in the foot here if Lorry people read this, but I do find this ever so slightly annoying. Why advertise a role and see people if you are unsure about the need for it? Or is it a kop-out: too scared to tell me I'm not wanted? (I find this one ridiculous, but you never know). Or could it be I'm being kept on the back burner while someone else is given a go first? I have these thoughts because I find it difficult to understand why a company would go through a recruitment process when they seemingly don't know if the job is necessary. They waste their time and mine. I do a great deal of preparation when I am invited to an interview as I am obviously out to impress, so to be treated in such a cavalier fashion is a tad unprofessional in my humble opinion. Ha, ha! - this is a great suicide note if they were intending to get back to me. On another more positive note, I have an interview tomorrow (Monday) for the position of lettings negotiator. See, I go for anything. You never know, but it could turn out to be a great opportunity as the rental market is possibly buoyant, compared to buying, in these dark days. Ooh, er - I'm all excited!

Going back a couple of weeks, there was an interesting Panorama programme on unemployment. It followed five ex-Woolworth workers from 
losing their jobs to finding new ones. Each person was of a different level and role at Woolies, but the one I found most interesting was a part-time checkout woman. She had worked for Woolworth for about 15 years, but due to her part-time status hadn't accrued enough NI 
contributions to qualify for job seekers' allowance. However, she was in receipt of other benefits such as child allowance, but that's not the point as she now needed additional help: she was a single parent without savings and a hard worker, and the system badly let her down. After relentless badgering from her, the benefits agency kindly granted her about £5 per week. (I'm sorry, I can't remember the exact amount, but it was very low). At one point, the poor woman broke down - the powers that be were expecting her to live on bugger-all. Fortunately, she was able to find another job working as a receptionist before everything imploded, but this was an absolute shocker. This government (and  subsequent governments) has to take care of people that get into this type of situation. To allow her to get to the point of losing her home, and therefore possibly her children taken into care, is a disgrace. Of the other four people, three found jobs in the retail sector within a few months. I thought the high street was taking a battering, but these three managed to sneak back in. If only it were so easy in my game, as I enter month eight. I have applied for lower paid work in other areas such as retail but I am blown out, presumably because I am over qualified. Oh well, I have month nine and beyond to look forward to, or maybe the BBC would like to follow me around and who knows what that may lead to! 

 

Good-ish news first. Last week I spoke to both PR companies I had interviews with: Global Tolerance needs a few weeks to review its requirements; Red Lorry Yellow Lorry person had not got round to discussing the role with the MD, and won't be able to until W/B 11th May. I am disappointed with this one because when I spoke to him last week, it had been three weeks since the interview. Anyway, one lives in hope and I will be contacting both companies again at the appropriate times: very soon! I had the 'get back to work' interview at the jobcentre and as expected, it was completely useless. The gentleman I spoke to said there are plenty of jobs available and couldn't understand why I was still unemployed. After picking myself up off the floor, I calmly pointed out that he is deluded if he believes that. Apparently, I now have to broaden my job search, ie: apply for any old piece of rubbish that will get me off the unemployed register. As I calmly pointed out again, I have been looking in other areas and not solely in my own industry - PR anyone? If I go for a low-paid, skill-free job, I will be up against 100s of other people who have worked in whatever business I am approaching. My chances are very slim, as why would an employer go through the recruitment process with a person who is clearly used to better, and no doubt will leave asap. I found this attitude insulting; the idea I am not doing all I can and I need his help. If only he could help, that would be a first. It is now understood by the DWP that higher earners are expected to look after themselves as the jobcentres can offer no help - so why does it persist in hounding and bullying people when it cannot offer anything? Another one of life's mysteries.