Job seekers allowance "to help you back to work.." interview

[Miss-Coordinated]

I have an interview tommorrow with the job centre, in place of my usual sign in.
I don't really understand what this is and I'm a little nervous

It tells me to bring evidence of job searching so I've printed out all the email responses I have received confirming jobs I've applied for and, in the rare instances when someone has been courteous enough to let me know my application has been unsuccessful, some rejection emails too.

I've been trying really hard to find work but, with the state of things at the moment and the fact that my job is quite a specific one, I am still unemployed after 3 months

I'm really unsure as to what will happen and I'm really worried about them stopping my allowance.
Does anyone know what it's about? Can they stop my allowance for no reason?

Help!

[stardust_john]

I'm no help, someone will be along soon.
But with a name as Miss-Cooridinated you deserve a job soon, good luck

[Miss-Coordinated]

lol, thanks- I'm an events coordinator, hence the name!

[stardust_john]

[Spiceskull]

My guess is this is simply a three month review. The evidence of applications, and also refusals, is a good move on your part, and shows willing.

However, my guess is also that they will develop an action plan for the next three months, something that you agree between you is do-able. You say your skills set is quite specific, so they may try to widen the range for you...after six months they will expect you to have got some work, even if it is only part time.

If you are keen to make yourself available only for your specialised areas, you could consider voluntary work - this often gives you some grace period whilst searching for the perfect job. It also acts to keep you in the work environment, so certain skills are maintained.

The interview should not be overly harsh, but you will need to demonstrate a certain level of willing and flexibility. Good luck.

[Miss-Coordinated]

Thank you!
To what extent will they want to widen my range?
I'd hate to get shoved onto a supermarket checkout or something, I've been doing the job for 5 years and am good at it, it's just a terrible time for jobs in general.
I've started looking at a few jobs I don't really want to do- such as PA/reception work, but only on a part time basis so that I could carry on my job search (I've tried job hunting whilst working full time before and it's virtually impossible) should I tell them that I've been doing this? or will they use it as an excuse to shove me into any old PA role?

[Spiceskull]

Part time work will be fine, as long as it is portrayed as willing and reasonable - 4 hours on a Saturday afternoon will not be entertained, but maybe three afternoons a week will be.

They understand that you really want the specialist job, but they want to see that you are not using it, or its unavailability, as an excuse for not working at all. It is all about being reasonable. Yes, they may have three afternoons a weeks stacking shelves in the supermarket available, but they will also argue that this leaves you ample time to continue job searching.

[Spiceskull]

How did the interview go?

[Miss-Coordinated]

It went well I suppose
It wasn't as scary as I was expecting (noone told me off, stopped my money or tried to force me into some shelf stacking job!)

I was lucky I think as the person I was scheduled to see was off sick and so I met with my initial advisor who is a very lovely old man.
He seemed shocked and impressed with all the work I'd put into my job search and all the supporting evidence I'd bought with me (a huge depressing stack of email application confirmations and rejection emails )

My other worry (besides being forced to spend the rest of my life working at Nettos) was an events role I'd seen on the Job Centre website which, on the surface, seemed perfect for me, I was quite excited until I looked at the employers website - not the kind of place I see myself...

Anyway. The general outcome of the meeting was that I will carry on pretty much as I have been doing.
The advisor even said imself that the 13 week meeting is pointless as there's "nothing he can do for me until I've been unemployed for at least 6 months"
I asked what he could do if it had been 6 months and he mentioned a few training schemes which I think were similar to an apprenticeship (though with my level of experience I'm not sure they'd take me anyway),] I said I'd really like to try that as there's so little work out there but he said that "government regulations" mean that he isn't even able to put me forward until it's been 6 months

The area that I live is consdered "affluent" apparently (they should come and visit the estate where I live! they
ll soon see that's rubbish!) and so there is no Princes Trust help available.

I have 5 years experience, a cv which I'm constantly told is "fantastic" and yet I can't even get an interview anywhere
This recession thing is driving me mad

[Spiceskull]

Have you tried the ThisIsJobs website?