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impecunious

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Everything posted by impecunious

  1. impecunious
    I'm SO sorry It was meant to be light-hearted ............... my view is, why use a million small words when 1 or 2 HUGE ones will do just fine!!! All for raising educational standards! Still ***** unemployed though! Impecunious!
  2. impecunious
    At least we don't have a gerontocratic oligarchy!
  3. impecunious
    Brilliant!! Sorry if you think I'm hassling you but I think you need a boost, a little hand-holding .... I know it's a bummer having to jump through all these hoops at the Knob (Job) Centre but we all have to do it. I hate it too but I "manage" it .... I love my voluntary work and if it leads to an offer of permanent work, I would bite their hands off! It's difficult staying positive but it's the only way we will all survive this period of temporary unemployment. Being unemployed is about more than just being "jobless". Good luck to you. Impecunious!
  4. impecunious
    As I've posted before ...... find a small local charity and volunteer -- there is NOTHING to stop you and it would offer you so much more. With your qualifications, you may even be able to offer them invaluable skills that they can't afford to buy in! You don't have to be stuck in a shop if that's so repugnant to you. if you're asked at your next visit to sign on if you've secured a voluntary position in a charity shop, you can just advise them that you are actively offering your services and await feedback. You have to play the game ..... it will give you breathing space to sort something out. IMHO, it's a positive offering your time, talents and effort to help others who are much more vulnerable than you are .... in return, you will improve your confidence, boost your self-esteem, give you some insight into a potential new career, learn new skills, experience working in a new environment, meet lots of interesting people and you'll be contributing enormously to the needs of others. How can that ever be perceived as a negative? Why would you not want to do that? Perhaps instead of finding ways NOT to volunteer, use that energy to find a cause you empathise with and support them. Impecunious!
  5. impecunious
  6. impecunious
    Do you have any equity in the house? Personally, if you have, I'd consider putting it on the market ............ paying off the mortgage and the loan and starting all over again. Owning a house is just a bottomless money pit. Unless it's accruing fantastically in value, or earning you money, it's going to just keep on costing you. You haven't worked for a year and I doubt that your mortgage company will be patient forever and if you default on your loan, you'll probably end up having a charging order, etc against the property. You can kiss goodbye to DWP, move back in with dad til you get your feet back on the ground and you'll have plenty of time to look for a suitable job without any stress. I speak from experience. I was a property developer - it all went pear-shaped. I sold my last property and moved into rent accommodation: it's been great. I have no regrets at all. If you don't have any equity in the property, it's an even bigger milestone around your neck. Just my opinion. Impecunious!
  7. impecunious
    Thanks dyfed -- I did feel I might have been a bit tough BUT, hey, if you don't get out there and actually make it happen, a job isn't just going to miraculously jump into your lap! I strongly believe that education is the best way to escape poverty and it can become very addictive!! I could never settle for just being a dishwasher ... if we don't have aspirations, what's the point??? Everyone can improve their lot academically. For some it might be basic literacy and numeracy, for others GCSEs, NVQs, A Levels or Degrees. Miss Impecunious! BA (Hons) English with History, Knitter, Crocheter, Crafter and Creative Job Activity Search Recorder!
  8. impecunious
    Off with their heads!!!! Just ask them to do a "better off" calculation ..... they can't possibly expect you to spend more in travel expenses than you'd receive in wages! Besides, I was told that I would be expected to look for work within a 90 minute commute from home (on public transport). So, say you take a bus, with several changes, you really wouldn't be expected to travel very far -- 5-6 miles if truth be known. (Including walk from home to bus stop plus journey, plus changes and waiting time etc.) Just make sure that you aren't offered any jobs where the travel costs exceed the wages you're offered!! I'm sure that wouldn't be too difficult. Impecunious!
  9. impecunious
    OK -- charities would love you!! Can't really post links here - but if you look at Third Sector - you'll find lots of vacancies (listed by regional area/discipline) : some agency but also lots of applications direct to each charity. Pay is comparable to private sector in many cases. Internships are usually advertised here too. Another good source is Yahoo Groups - Trusts and Foundations Forum --- each charity posts their vacancies for free. When you go to the Knob (Job) Centre, it's NOT real life - it's acting! Protect yourself by taking on another personna -- and nod and smile a lot. Never commit to anything, but say you'll go home and research it more fully and definitely consider it. Don't let them get to you .................... I have a lovely, creative job search activity record just for the Job Centre ... that way they stay off my case and I can use my time more effectively looking for the kind of work I want to do. It's all a game but you have to know the rules ....... empower yourself and stay in control. Impecunious!
  10. impecunious
    OK -- it doesn't actually have to be a charity shop!! Charities are screaming out for real volunteers where you can gain experienced and help out at the same time. I took on lots of volunteers to do prospect research, intelligence gathering, database management, social media networking and all things admin. That way you get real experience and gain new skills. What is your degree? I might be able to offer some advice and signpost you to internships Impecunious!
  11. impecunious
    Hey, don't give up!!! I was told when I first started Uni (as a very mature student) that having a degree did not automatically guarantee a job!! I wish they'd told me that BEFORE I committed myself to three years with them!! You have every reason to be proud of your degree. I certainly am. How long have been on JSA?? If you're already volunteering, I'm just wondering why they would mandate you to work in a charity shop! You know, sometimes, it's a lot easier to jump through hoops! You definitely don't want to be sanctioned! How long will the placement be for? Unfortunately, when you're on benefits - like all of us - what you want to do is immaterial. Before my next appt, I have to decide which other sectors I will be prepared to work in and lower my salary expectations by some £10,000 pa. I could end up as the most credential toilet-cleaner in the country!!! You have to be prepared to accept any job, doing unsocialable hours at minimum wage if you're qualified to do it!! Not fair but we don't have much choice. Impecunious!
  12. impecunious
    IMHO, if you're already volunteering, why would any W2W provider mandate you to work in a charity shop? Just ask your current "employer" to increase your voluntary hours a bit! Most charity shops don't even have a working till and the "staff" - mainly real volunteers themselves have very little real training or experience - for them, its usually just a few hours commitment a week cos its sociable and what people of a certain age do! (Please don't gang up on me if your charity shop is filled with young volunteers.) How could this possibly be of benefit to you? I've commented on this form of "volunteering" in many of my posts. As for removing your degree qualification from your CV, complete NO NO - even if you have started to get regular interviews. Under-selling yourself is as great an omission as over-gilding the lily! I certainly won't be removing any academic qualifications or experience from my CV. In fact, failing to complete a CV properly could be used as an excuse for instant dismissal. I worked too damn hard for my degree and I'm still paying back a £15,000 student loan. Any future employer will know you have a degree once you ask them to deduct student loan repayment from your gross salary (assuming of course you still have an outstanding student loan.) I wouldn't "dumb down" for anyone! The only paid employment I'm currently applying for are within the third sector where I have worked quite happily for many years and, although, I also do consultancy voluntary work for other charitable organisations, I abhor any charitable organisations who still support W2W forced labour. Impecunious!
  13. impecunious
    "She" seems to think she has an awful lot of power!! 100 spec letters --- does "she" expect you to print off and post 100 letters per week?? That's fine if you have a never-ending supply of free postage stamps and a printer. Do you have prospect research experience to enable you to carry out this task? Have you had training in intelligence gathering and evaluation techniques? Hmmm, didn't think so! (I never sent out a 100 letters a week when I was a PA/Secretary!) As for applying for inappropriate jobs! Potential employers would think you're an idiot if you apply for a driving job and can't drive, don't have a licence, don't have a car and aren't qualified - definitely wasting their time and yours and lots of valuable resources. If you really are mandated to send out TEN inappropriate applications a week, start each letter with: "Although I know I have absolutely no experience in this field and do not possess even the basic requirements or abilities to undertake this role, "SHE" says I must make this application and 9 other similar applications to local companies for which I am not in the slightest bit qualified. In addition, in order to meet the requirements of "SHE" who must be obeyed, you'll be hearing from me on a regular basis. If this behaviour is unaccepable to your company, please contact your local Member of Parliament and the Secretary of State for Works and Pensions to voice your concerns." Sorry, it's people like "she" would should be looking for work! I certainly wouldn't employ her. No wonder we "rant"!! Impecunious! P.S. I'd rather send out one well-crafted application per week where you meet the potential employer's person specification and their job description. Apparently, there are at least 24 applicants for every available job vacancy now .... Only those with the relevant skills, experience and qualifications will succceed. Some of the application forms I've completed can take up to 3 days to complete!
  14. impecunious
    Naturally!! Might be useful to just provide the necessary written evidence - chapter and verse! Impecunious!
  15. impecunious
    Perhaps you should just remind them what exactly "prospect" means! pros·pect (prspkt) n.1. Something expected; a possibility. 2. prospectsa. Chances. b. Financial expectations, especially of success. 3. a. A potential customer, client, or purchaser. b. A candidate deemed likely to succeed. Then ask them where you fit into their plans?? Very tongue in cheek! Impecunious!
  16. impecunious
    It's just all about "jumping through hoops" regardless ..................... just nod and smile! It's what the system demands .... of course it's broken ... it's broken beyond repair - "not fit for purpose" .... but we're all just p®awns in this game. Use the system until you're able to stand on your own two feet .... and you're the only one who can help yourself. DWP won't do it for you ... neither will any W2W programme - their results prove that! I'm applying for work all over the UK .. not just locally ... needs must! And, if I have to move to Edinburgh or Dublin to get a job - c'est la vie! If the work doesn't come to you, you may have to go to the work! Norman Tebbit wasn't all wrong! Except I can't ride a bike! If you don't have any academic qualifications, get some!! Education costs very little if you're on benefits. Last time I was unemployed, I paid £10 to go on an Access Course (Humanities) for a year at a local college - I sat next to my eldest daughter and we had great fun! I passed with distinction and earned enough points to apply for entry to University and ended up with a great Honours degree. I was then 45 and a single parent to four children, one of them with a severe mental disability. So, basically, aim higher!!!! Get qualified and help yourself cos no-one else is going to. Tough love? Yes!!! Always! At least now I have many more opportunities to secure a position commensurate with my abilities. Sometimes you just have to be pro-active and "think outside the box". Impecunious!
  17. impecunious
    It's impossible NOT to split bills when two or more people share a house. The council won't SPLIT CT liability - my council has creates a new joint account for us - but that, of course, means that if HE doesn't pay his council tax liability, I am "jointly and severally" responsible for any portion of unpaid CT . Electricity, gas and water supplies can't provide separate bills either .... so what choice do we have but to "split" the utility bills. There can never be any accusation of us having a "permanent relationship" ..... just because we split bills. I insist that he buys his own toilet paper, cleaning products, food, etc ...... and I never wash up after him!! We have a weekly household chores rota - so he does his share. It creates a very "strained" situation at times ...... but when we are "forced" to share our homes because HB/CT doesn't even cover our basic rent and council tax, needs must! I have to give up my privacy, my peace of mind, my quiet time, my solitude, perhaps even my security and personal safety, to SHARE my home just to pay the rent and to avoid having to move. (NOT that I could afford to even consider that.) Tenancy agreements usually cover a minimum period of 6 months -- let's hope that the "deciders" don't regard this as being a "permanent relatiionship". Impecunious!
  18. impecunious
    :lol:
  19. impecunious
    :-DI'm just loving all the responses ........ just goes to show that we are not only articulate but erudite, eloquent, intelligent, observant and humorous!! Give yourselves a huge pat on the back! I'm beginning to think that perhaps the "unemployed" are a lot better qualified than lots of those in paid work ........ not that I'm pointing the finger at any one group or two groups in particular. Impecunious!! Impecunious!
  20. impecunious
    "esoteric", "prejorative", "juxtaposition", "eponymous" ...... I always deliberatly chose a "word of the day" -- then go out my way to use it. "Prejorative" was my favourite on Thursday at the JobCentre ... just rolls off the tongue ... Try using lots of embedded clauses too - that works a treat! And throw in the odd Latinate word for great effect.
  21. impecunious
    Having an arsenal of great questions is definitely a winner!! After all, interviews are 50:50. It's not just about them interviewing you -- you might decide they're not the type of employer you want to work for ..... In all honestly, I just couldn't accept any old job -- I'd have to really want it! Impecunious!
  22. impecunious
    Shouldn't have thought that Ingeus pimps would have the intelligence or ability to simulate or stimulate anything worthwhile. I've read up on it -- should have guessed -- an American idea ......... any idiot can rejurgitate "clever" questions and answers .... and Americans are generally very good at blowing their own trumpets. We're a completely different culture, with a completely different set of rules pertaining to social interaction and face-to-face communication .... we're not very good at "selling ourselves". One of the obvious disadvantages of "speed interviewing" is ultimately recruiting the wrong person .... and then having to replace them .... because it doesn't allow you to get a real sense of a person --- some are slow burners. I don't believe in working outside contracted hours ...................... in my last main job, at 5.00 pm all the systems were switched off, the phone put onto night mode, lights off, heating off .... doors locked and everyone went HOME! No point whatsoever in sitting in the cold and dark unable to do any work just to impress who exactly???? Work/life balance is far more important than churning out yet another useless e-mail that won't be read until the next day. I successfully applied for a new job .... I was contracted to work 35 hours/week -- but actually spent at least 65 hours/week working (most of it away from home) -- and some overnighters to meet deadlines -- incurred huge expenses (over £450 in just 4 weeks) that took 6 weeks to be reimbursed by cheque (another 3-5 days to clear), travelled up to 7 hours a day, didn't eat properly, didn't sleep properly and was up some mornings at 3.30 to travel to meetings in Edinburgh at 9.30 am. I left after 8 weeks .... there was NO work/life balance ... the initial interview didn't give any indication of the reality of the job! Speed interviewing certainly wouldn't have even touched the surface! OK, rant over!!! Impecunious!
  23. impecunious
    Is it a bit like speed dating?? Impecunious!
  24. impecunious
    Weaknesses?? God, I hate that question ................ it's so meaningless ..... and yet interviewers always churn it out with monotonous regularity as if it actually has some value. If you can identify any weaknesses in yourself, why haven't you addressed them before this??? I prefer to say that I can identify a couple of areas where I would benefit from additional structured training or, given the opportunity, would like to explore a subject further but I would never admit to actually having any weaknesses, deficiencies or faults. Obviously, "weakness" is not in my vocabulary - there may be "training opportunities" but I think I'm perfect! And why do you want the job?? Cos the JobCentre is a pain the derriere, you hate being threatened with sanctions, W2W sucks and you're fed up with living on benefits :-D:-D - obviously you need to temper with that with s certain amount of tact and diplomacy, but you are the very best candidate for the job! You're perfect too! Good Luck! Impecunious!
  25. impecunious
    Thank you! Quite literally, every penny counts - but they needs hundreds and thousands of pennies from all of us to make a real difference. As I mentioned before, I have/had two children with disabilities and know how difficult it is to get help. I've worked for a small national children's charity and for a large UK charity supporting older, vulnerable people. I have also been on the other side, volunteering when my children were growing up -- for good neighbour charities, befriending groups and supporting mums with children under 5 yrs of age. You never know when you'll need help ...... I'm glad MIND were able to offer such a great service ..... I support RETHINK .... and the former children's charity I worked for. They always need your time, your talent and your pennies! Impecunious!

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