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Original poster

Job centre help

32 replies

Quitelikeacatslife · 09/07/2024 08:21

Is there anyone who works at a job centre? Is there help for previous higher earners? Back to work help or differently structured assistance?
My DH has been out of work , woman in first interview practically laughed at his salary expectations (even when he'd quartered what he was on) had never heard of his previous employer (one of big 5 accounts firms) and asked if he'd looked at websites.
Is it unlikely he can find any actually useful advice without having to pay?

OP posts:
lashy · 09/07/2024 19:38

Quitelikeacatslife · 09/07/2024 08:21

Is there anyone who works at a job centre? Is there help for previous higher earners? Back to work help or differently structured assistance?
My DH has been out of work , woman in first interview practically laughed at his salary expectations (even when he'd quartered what he was on) had never heard of his previous employer (one of big 5 accounts firms) and asked if he'd looked at websites.
Is it unlikely he can find any actually useful advice without having to pay?

As your DH is already attending Jobcentre appointments, whether that's for New Style JSA or UC; he should ask his Work Coach for a 'permitted period' (the Work Coach ideally should've mentioned it to him, certainly rather than laugh at his income expectations).
A permitted period is X length of time where a person can seek work specifically in X sector (whichever higher earning sector they've recently come from), with X earnings in mind (within reason).
Hopefully the Work Coach will do their best to support your DH to find that type of work (good, knowledgable ones do exist). It is of course likely that your DH already knows of the best recruitment processes for the sector in question.
If, following the permitted period, your DH has not managed to secure employment in the specific sector he was hoping to, at that point he'd be required to broaden his search criteria considerably.
Good luck.

Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 09/07/2024 22:30

I get the vibe, he can just continue to tick box there, get NI paid etc. I can assure you he is on to recruiters, all avenues etc. he is not accountant but consultant so contract naturally came to an end and never had problem before picking another one up. Very experienced. But it has honestly been flat flat flat out there. Maybe the election will shake things up and get projects moving again. Hard thing is you don't even know if jobs applying for are even real, never get any feedback. It's just brutal

OP posts:
Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 09/07/2024 22:33

poppetandmog · 09/07/2024 18:41

What type of work did he do previously? I'm also ex big 4 (now work in the legal sector) and know plenty of recruiters I could direct him to. I'm in tax and know most firms can't fill their vacancies at the moment so there are jobs out there.

Thanks programme manager consultant in FS

OP posts:
Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 09/07/2024 22:35

RaininSummer · 09/07/2024 19:11

With a previous job of that calibre, I wouldn't expect him to need guidance in finding work in his industry to be honest. Also if shelf stacking is what you find to tide you over whilst looking for the preferred roles, then that is what you do rather than rely on benefits. Ask yourself what would you do if benefits did not exist? Employers look much more favourably on people in work than those on unemployment benefits .

Ask yourself, could you put it nicer? there is a human being on the end of this at the end of her tether in a situation that I never expected to find myself in

OP posts:
Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 09/07/2024 22:37

atticstage · 09/07/2024 18:32

Well it's not a careers service and the Big 5 hasn't existed for over 20 years.

Most people in his position would be leveraging their network.

I know it's just a turn of phrase, and yes he has been trying that for months

OP posts:
Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 09/07/2024 22:38

behindthemall · 09/07/2024 18:16

Has he spoken to a recruiter? Most Top 10 placements are done via a recruiter or existing contact.

What did he do? It seems truly bizarre to me (as a Big4 and ex Top5 employee) that he wouldn’t be able to find a similar role relatively quickly as there is always plenty of vacancies and no recruitment blocks at the moment.

Well truly bizarre is my life at the moment!

OP posts:
Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 09/07/2024 22:44

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 09/07/2024 15:19

I work in employment support, but not for the government or any government funded body. Things to check - Is there is an executive job club in the area and they are usually free to those looking for work - Why is he out of work? I am asking as when made redundant it is not unreasonable for your previous employer to provide support, to help find another role. - Network, on Linkedin, using friends, family to find another role - Transferable skills, are there jobs related that he could apply for, thinking here in terms of companies that employ their own in the field he consulted for - Tried HM Gov Jobs, they have some very interesting opportunities and recruit on attributes and not always qualifications and previous experience - Register with specialist recruiters, who should help with CV, approach to applications etc., and lastly, is there anyone in your network who could review the CV for him and remember, you are selling yourself on the CV, so have you stated the benefits you offer an employer rather than a list of what you've done in the past.

Thank you, I agree with your points. It's also hard for me to press him too much , I can't micromanage this for him. I try. He does meet recruiters quite regularly so I guess they have looked at CV . It seems dry to me but not my field. It's just that I really think he is exploring every Avenue and doing the right things but it just hasn't been working . Everyone seems to say, it's not him it's very flat in contractor market which makes sense but actually doesn't help.
I was just hoping for someone else to bd able to help and guide him.

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