h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So I found a load of jobs advertising for a qualification that I don't at present hold, but very soon will.

So bright idea was to send them what in the parlence of job-seeking is called 'a speculative letter' introducing myself and declaring a interest in any up-coming vacancies.

I had the application code of this vacancy, now expired, so now I needed the address to address the letter to.

So I ring up Job seekers direct, explain all of this and am told I cannot be given the address, not becuase the vacancy had expired because they've been told not to give those details out if I've not previously applied (and presumably therefore already had the contact details)

I explained my reasoning that I am supposed to be actively seeking work and this seemed like a good idea - besides I wasn't applying for this job (I hardly could deadline expired 1t week in October) I was wanting to send them a letter.

"oh well in that case..."

and then I got what I was asking for.


So they can give you an address and named contact provided your not actually applying for work, despite that being my raison detre as a 'job seeking' pleb.

What mind can conceive of such a bureaucracy that actually works against you at every turn?


This after it transpired I'd not been paid the JSA I was entitled to since July because a form I filled in accurately and as specified was beign held back cos someone in Belfast can't read their own instructions or understand conditional logic (Fill in parts 1 and 2 ONLY *IF* volunteering fr a charity.)


It's enough to send a sane mane CRAZY.

Or send a crazy man sane

I despise anything to do with Jobcentres, I remember having major fights with them after I finished my PGCE and was looking for work.

One of them insisted that I should get a teaching job, despite the fact the training had caused me to have a breakdown. I had one period where I had 4 job interviews all over the country and travelling to them kept me out of Manchester for nearly a fortnight.

I get a call and I'm ordered to come into the jobcentre or all my JSA and housing benefit would be cancelled. They didn't seem to latch onto the fact that attending interviews counted as seeking work and that instead I should have been sat in someones cubicle being patronised about how to find work.

I'm usually opposed to any form of violence, but in JCPs I think it's perfectly acceptable and entirely understandable.

Trouble with Jobcentres is that the staff do not communicate or look for info on their computer systems.

A few years ago, I had a lung removed. Six months later, threatening letter came from J/C saying payments were being witheld until I could prove I was too ill to work!!!!


I had to go in with walking stick and doctor's letter to make them restart the pittance they were paying me......


GT