Worker's Woes - All Comments

re: Lucky under 24s

anna nicole — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:56:29 GMT

They can only talk, I don't see any results..I'm almost 25, yeah, I have a job but not for long...and where is their help?

re: Employment: up, down?

anna nicole — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:55:14 GMT

Unemployment is a big problem in modern society, it touches people in tough way..I wish in future it would be much more easier to find some job.

re: New year, new....?

anna nicole — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:53:47 GMT

I don't feel well about you quitting this blog..it was very inspiring for me

re: New beginnings

Pippa Jones — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:22:56 GMT

Congratulations, David. Long may it last. Thanks for all the insightful comments.

re: New beginnings

David Woods — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:24:21 GMT

Congratulations from all the HR magazine team David! And all the best of luck for your new career.

re: New beginnings

John Isherwood — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:58:18 GMT

Congratulations, and if you need to recruit anyone very cheaply, you can contact me at john@verncat.co.uk.

re: To sign-on, or to not sign-on?

John Isherwood — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:56:29 GMT

It's fine promoting claiming benefits, but unfortunately, you have to be of "working age" to qualify. If you have just flipped into being 65, you get nowt. I thought agism was illegal!

re: New beginnings

2350023 — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:55:48 GMT

Congratulations to you. Good to hear speculative letters do sometimes work..I look forward to your occassional blogs.

Best of luck to you.

re: New year, new....?

Michael Madelin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:32:26 GMT

I'm very glad to hear that there is light at the end of the tunnel for you David, as I've thoroughly enjoyed reading your weekly blogs and have greatly empathised with your struggle on the job front. Many people do not understand how difficult things are out there at the moment and I've found a great deal of reassurance in hearing that people other than myself face the gruesome world of the assessment centre and group interview, and indeed have overcome the stress that they so easily create. I wish you all the best for the future as it seems very well deserved at this point.

re: New year, new....?

2350023 — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:26:24 GMT

Arghhh I can't believe that you're leaving me!! Your blog has keep me going through my continuing job search...

re: Group interview anyone?

Assessment and Development Consultants — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:58:45 GMT

Poor you David ... it sounds like a bad experience.

Companies should always consider the Candidate experience when they design selection methods. Companies learn nothing about a Candidate and their ability from silly role-plays! They should have used a job relevant selection method, for example for an Admin Role, getting you to complete items from an In-Basket, or even better, an electronic Inbox.

If an organisation wants to get this right - and ensure all your applicants have a postive experience, whilst identifying the best person for the role, read Applicant Perceptions of the Selection Process here http://bit.ly/13Fh81

re: Employers need to act appropriately

Pippa Jones — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:27:13 GMT

David, I'm so sorry to hear of your experience. It is true that many companies don't have a clue about how to recruit properly. In hindsight I'm sure that you must have smelt a rat. Another time I'd recommend writing, thanking them for seeing you and confirming that they'll offer full training or whatever point concerns you. I'd ask for a written reply and I think you'd find that they are less likely to commit themselves to paper if they have no intention of doing that.

re: Wot, me get a job?

David Jones — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:34:04 GMT

Hi Pippa, I did write to the company and thanked them for considering me but didn't get a reply. Agents are sensitive souls, so when possible it is best to go through them however painful it may be.

re: Wot, me get a job?

Pippa Jones — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:52:53 GMT

Hi David. This is very tough for you as you've no names and don't know if it was a direct question or just some nuance that finished your application. I know it's tough, but I'd try and believe them and, if it's true and you wouldn't be happy doing all of the tasks, then be philosophical and glad. Also, next time, why (even if you go through an agency) can't you go direct to the interviewer for feedback? I'd write immediately afterwards, thanking him/her for seeing you and then you've created a good working relationship from which to ask that question when you get the result.

re: Job centre closure - how I laughed

Pippa Jones — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:32:08 GMT

Do try and keep optimistic about the job, David, the odds are good. As for the closure of the Job Centre, my local one in Wimbledon (it was next door but one to the CIPD headquarters) closed this winter and job hunters were sent to Mitcham or Kingston-upon-Thames. What genius arranged that in the midst of the recession? And I've read nothing in the local paper about how jobhunters are coping.