Job Hunters Thread

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lammo Jul 2013 4:43pm, 24 Jul 2013 5,441 posts	0 lammo I'm giving this place until Christmas to sort itself out then i'm going to be looking. Dreading sorting out my CV ...
PerfectOrganism Jul 2013 6:19pm, 24 Jul 2013 103 posts	0 PerfectOrganism Hello, I'm newly unemployed! My contract ended two Fridays ago. I took the first week off as a wee rest/reward and am now three days into week two. Three days of official unemployment and I'm already feeling pretty low! I'm glad that this thread is here to be honest!
Wobbling Jul 2013 6:23pm, 24 Jul 2013 2,392 posts	0 Wobbling Welcome PO.
Wobbling Jul 2013 6:24pm, 24 Jul 2013 2,393 posts	0 Wobbling Oh and good news Nick! That must have been a relief.
Jenko Jul 2013 6:58pm, 24 Jul 2013 108 posts	0 Jenko Hello all. I work for Jobcentre Plus as an Employer Adviser (Waits for abuse and gets ready to duck). I have the lead responsibility for recruitment for the New Square Retail development in West Brom,, at present and in total have been doing the job nearly 30 years in total. My knowledge on benefits is non existence, so please don't ask as I can't answer those with any certainty. I'm happy to give advise etc (although I can't change Govt. policy!!!). A few quick things to start. Health Issues - All Jobcentre Plus offices have a Disability Employment Adviser who can offer specialist advice and support to people with a wide range of health issues. They aren't there for "I've got a bad back" etc, but recently I have know ours place a lady with agoraphobia who hadn't left the house in 3 years into work. Ask to see them. Voluntary Work - Not to be discounted. Keeps you in a routine and does look good to a perspective employer. "Social Responsibility" always goes down well. CV's - No more than 2 pages and have more than one version. If you are 40+, like moi, no employer is going to be bothered about the CSE 4 you got in Art in 1984. Play to your strengths. Recruiters - Why do you ask for CV's? Do you employ a CV or a person? I like to do a group presentation for any jobs I get. This allows me to see how someone presents themselves, if they turn up on time and has an attention span of 30 minutes. From this I get a shortlist and the majority do then turn up for interview. It's simple, it's quick and it works. Agencies (grrrrr!!). Pay an agency to advertise a job and the first place they put it is in the Jobcentre, which costs them nothing! It is like going to a broker for insurance when you can go direct and save money. Without sounding like a patronising pillock, for the majority of folk it is a horrible situation to be in and I wish you all the best.
Wobbling Jul 2013 7:17pm, 24 Jul 2013 2,395 posts	0 Wobbling Thanks Jenko, all very useful.
Velociraptor Jul 2013 8:24pm, 24 Jul 2013 26,395 posts	0 Velociraptor Thanks, Jenko That's tremendously useful.
kwala Jul 2013 9:20pm, 24 Jul 2013 4,013 posts	0 kwala Not patronising at all Jenko, all advice is welcome - thanks
mole-thing Jul 2013 9:55pm, 24 Jul 2013 477 posts	0 mole-thing I've interviewed well over ten thousand job applicants, it's pretty much what I do for a living. Many candidates are woefully under prepared. A few thoughts: If it's a “Competency Based Interview” you will need to give examples drawn from your previous experience that demonstrate you have the competencies (HR jargon for “skills”) they are interested in. Typical examples are: “Team Working (aka Collaboration)”, “Leadership”, “Decision Making aka Planning”, “Communication”, “Customer Service” and in the public sector “Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)”. Good examples are reasonably simple and bounded. Try to think of something you can explain in about two or three minutes and avoid anything that requires extensive scene setting. You should talk in the first person all the time and avoid saying “we” like the plague. Be prepared to answer questions like: “Tell me about a time when . . . . . .you went out of your way to help someone.” ….you had to persuade someone to do something they initially didn’t want to do.” …. you had to take a difficult decision”. …. you had to meet a deadline.” …. you had to explain something.” …. you helped someone with needs different to your own.” (an EDI question, challenging unacceptable is behaviour is another one) You should be able to answer any of these fluently, but try to be natural and not sound over prepared. Listen to what the interviewer says carefully, they are (probably) trying to help you. It's fine to take a few moments to think. If offered a glass of water accept it, taking a sip can buy you those moments. If the interviewer stops taking notes, you are talking too much. Stop. If the interview seems quick, you probably did well.
toffee Jul 2013 10:01pm, 24 Jul 2013 1,623 posts	0 toffee jaguarlandrovercareers.com For anyone interested, best of luck.