Jobcentre = Pleasant Experience

Well, I have to admit that I was dreading the rigmarole of having to do the deed of signing on again.  I had resisted as much as I could but now the time had sadly come. Anyway,  I went online and filled in those lovely forms then had a phone call saying when to head to Streatham Jobcentre for an interview where I needed to produce a million bits of paper to prove my credentials.

Anyway, firstly Streatham jobcentre for what it was actually seemed to have a pleasant décor.  It was no way near as worn out as Wood Green Jobcentre Plus and the staff were actually polite.  I had had heard a horror story about Streatham so I was a bit worried that I would have to deal with some battleaxe but I was pleasantly surprised.

Both ladies I spoke to were lovely and friendly.  They took all my identification and it was good to see that they had improved some of their systems since the last time that I signed on in light of the increasing numbers of jobless professionals that now darken their doors. Wow they actually now know what some of us do and I think may even have a few relevant jobs on their systems.  A big improvement from 2009.

The sad thing was that when I asked about training etc as I figured this down time would be an ideal time for me to sharpen up my skills.  I had the response that the only courses on offer were basic literacy skills.  Other training and workshops had now been cut due to cuts.  That's a crying shame in my eyes as the Government's ultimate aim should be to help up-skill the unemployed, build their confidence and help revive the economy so that they can get back into work.

Tick Tock Tick Tock

Ooohhh the pain of waiting around for decisions.  Everyone is just too busy to hire - they're running around here there and everywhere so making time to interview let alone make a decision is elongated beyond all comprehension. AAaaarrrggghhh
I had an interview today which went well or at least I think it did, awesome job, awesome team, awesome company.  It's one where I really will have my fingers crossed to getting a positive response.  Strangely if I was writing down what I wanted my next role to look like this company very much fits the bill so it does give me hope that the job I am after isn't some weird unobtainable pipe dream.  So the one thing that I know if that I must persevere.
Right so part of the plan is getting down to the job centre to sign on - just in case the dream job doesn't quite pan out.  I know it'll be traumatic and the likely £40ish quid each fortnight won't make a sizeable dent on my outgoings but hey it's a start.
The other thing will be to network like a demon - my last few jobs I got direct as opposed to through agents so look out the built environment world, I will out there chatting away and seeing if there are roles to be unearthed somewhere.