Jobcentre Plus

Gah. Yes, I’ve been there.
This was truly one of my lowest moments after graduating university. It was with a heavy heart and a head so low I could smell the pavement that I phoned the job centre and organised about coming down to sign on.
What was most ridiculous about this brief episode was that I had work, 12 hours a week, but I needed help with the other 20 hours — both financially and eventually, the idea was, to fill them with another job. So, I had my first appointment.
«So, what kind of work are you looking for? What can you do?»
«Well, I did creative writing at university, so — «
“Er,» She looked awkward. «So that’s like, er calligraphy then or something?»
*Sigh*. «Uh, no. No, more like copy editing, or proof reading, or writing reviews. You know?»
Yes. It went on a bit like that. She told me she’d put a note on my record explaining the writing bit, but in the mean time we’d concentrate on other areas like admin or more bar work. *Sigh*.
Beyond the lack of identifying my strengths was the fact that I was to come down and sign on twice a month to *not* be entitled to any money. Since I earned just over (within the pence region) the allowance, I was entitled to *no* Giro.
I got up twice a month, to walk an hour into town, to queue with some rather unsavoury characters, to discuss work that wasn’t available to me, to earn nothing extra for myself.
I sort of nipped that one in the bud after only two months I believe. Fortunately, it all worked out for me in the end. But with no help here, I can assure you.