[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

I found myself having to sign on some years back for a short while - there I was, appeared with my wee booklet crammed with jobs I'd applied for, places I'd registred with etc - the lady who dealt with me was incredibly helpful and I honestly couldn't fault her. Still... as I say; it was the agencies that came up trumphs....... which perhaps tells it's own story. so I don't blame you !!

Oh yes, it used to be much better than it is now. I used the jobcentre straight out of school, wasnt claiming anything but I was going there daily to find a job, and the staff couldnt be more helpful. There was a LOT more jobs out there back then too.

I think they are just too stretched nowadays, with so many unemployed and so little available/advertised jobs (the majority seem to be word of mouth, or depend on WHO you know, rather than anything else). But the way they operate really doesnt help people to find a job, it just seems to waste time, the jobseekers time, the employers time AND the jobcentres time. I mean, it doesnt take a genius to figure out that if an employer has specifically puts in their ad that they require, for example, at least 2 years retail experience, that making someone with no experience apply for the job is not going to help anyone

However if you point out to the advisors that its pointless applying if you dont fit the requirements, you are threatened with a sanction...just a vicious circle really.