I really need a laptop for a job interview, can't afford it and nobody can lend me one

[Terribleluck]

Would it be terrible of me to buy one to then return it,?

I would lie.

I’d prepare for it on iPad etc and then tell them that (if it’s not great for working with) your laptop has just broken - bad luck - cat knocked water on it. Never happened before. Motherboard broke, needs fixing, is in the repair shop. Whatever. Then they can’t judge you and hopefully will take pity rather than thinking “what is this woman on”

@tokenginger I see what you mean Ty. I think I'd be explaining rather than reading but I see what you mean. To another pp, no we have a mortgage (which is part of the problem). To the one who return the laptop, yes the same happened to me with a phone, so I returned it after using it for a few days (this was Argos). I think it's understandable under normal circumstances to return a laptop if it turns out to be absolutely terrible

Seriously OP have a test run with your DP or a friend with the two devices thing. It’s something I did all the time during lockdown because my desktop computer doesn’t have a camera. So I’d use my phone for the camera and my computer for screen sharing. You’d probably want to do it the other way around as your laptop is the weak link. So log into Teams on the laptop, use the laptop’s sound and camera (a headset often really helps with sound quality, especially if your space is not totally silent). Then log into Teams on your phone or ipad and run the presentation as a pdf from there. It doesn’t matter that the screen is small because it will come up on your laptop screen when your screen sharing. It’s important to disable the microphone on the 2nd device and turn the sound right down to 0.

Rental is £100 per month (or £80 without office). Not terrible, so I'll keep that in mind.

Ask your work Coach at the jobcentre. You'll be able to get funding for the laptop.

A bit of an update. Local council said they can't lend it directly to me, that they do have them but it has to be done via a 3rd party. The council has now been in touch with my local jobcentre and apparently my job coach is away so nobody has read my messages, but he's rushed them to do so (and see of they can give me that grant to buy a laptop, but it's means tested, so I'm pretty sure they'll think I can afford it). If DWP can't help, then the council will get in touch with the charity. It seems like I shall be able to get one after all, hooray!

@Terribleluck

A bit of an update. Local council said they can't lend it directly to me, that they do have them but it has to be done via a 3rd party. The council has now been in touch with my local jobcentre and apparently my job coach is away so nobody has read my messages, but he's rushed them to do so (and see of they can give me that grant to buy a laptop, but it's means tested, so I'm pretty sure they'll think I can afford it). If DWP can't help, then the council will get in touch with the charity. It seems like I shall be able to get one after all, hooray!

That's a great outcome - and will hopefully help others who find themselves in similar positions

As expected DWP said we make too much money :(

They might not be able to deliver in time for this interview, but there's a scheme that's been around for a while offering cheap refurb computers.

www.getonlineathome.org/

Sorry if this has been suggested before but can you put together the presentation on a library computer, send it over to the employer by email and then ask them to look at the presentation on their computers while you use teams/zoom on your phone? You can use a print-off on it (that you can print at the library).

It is quite normal to send a presentation across to another party to avoid tech issues on the day.

a print-off OF it (the presentation)

That’s what credit cards are there for.

Not everyone has got or can get one.

Thanks @safari after querying their decision, DWP approved a laptop from that link you've shared. So of anybody needs help with how to get a laptop if in receipt of JSA, I'm happy to help!

Wow, that's a great outcome

Gratters @Terribleluck and @safariboot

And very best of luck with the interview.

That's great news, and well done to the pp who provided the info.
All the best with your interview, OP!

Great news Op. Good luck with the presentation and interview!

The job centre should pay for one for you if it’s got an interview. Speak to your work coach

Sorry didn’t read the full thread before posting. Glad you are sorted

Good luck op!!

Fab news. Good luck for your interview.

Job centre, library, community centre, family centre, churches ... worth asking around, I certainly would help you out at my church, set you up in another room for the interview. Bigger churches are more likely as they have paid staff around weekdays

How did the interview go @Terribleluck?

It's tomorrow (the 1st) @jacqueline. For better or for worse, they never got back to me about this presentation, so I'm now assuming it's a normal Jon interview (I've had to chase them at least 4 times). I also got an offer for my dream job at my dream company, just waiting for the written offer to hit my inbox.

Ooh fingers crossed for the dream job!!