between jobs

Is the Government right to make people do enforced voluntary work in exchange for benefits?

November 12th, 2010

Question: Is the Government right to make people do enforced voluntary work in exchange for benefits?

How can I support my jobless partner?

July 10th, 2010

Question: My partner was made redundant three months ago. He has recently become very withdrawn and depressed, despite working hard to get another job. How can I help keep his spirits up during his job search?

Pick up your cards on the way out…

February 13th, 2010

When you leave a job, don’t forget to collect your cards. No, not those cards, I mean your now-redundant business cards.

Is the media dragging our workforce down?

January 20th, 2010

Question: To what extent do you feel the constant negative approach to the economy, taken by most of the media over the past 12 – 18 months, has reduced the UK workforce’s self-confidence? What can ‘good men and true’ do to counteract this effect?

My benefit has run out and the Job Centre want me to be a cleaner!

January 17th, 2010

Question:I was an £80k a year professional, made redundant last summer. I’ve just had my six-month interview with the Job Centre and been told my jobseekers allowance (JSA) benefit is being ceased. That means no money unless I qualify for means-tested benefits. They also said I now have to apply for any job – I can no longer only apply only for managerial jobs. They have sent me for an interview as a cleaner. Can they do this?

Help! My skills are getting rusty!

November 30th, 2009

Question: I am a seven-year software development engineer and I’ve been out of work for a few weeks now. I love my work, and I have always been able to talk about it confidently, and develop on the hoof. A recruiter called me this morning to talk about an opportunity – luckily not a job that really suited – but I found myself tongue-tied because I couldn’t remember some of the most basic vocabulary from my industry. What’s happening?! Am I losing it?! And what can I do to stop it getting any worse?

What do I do about industry jargon on my CV?

November 10th, 2009

Question: I worked for ten years for the same technology company, and following redundancy, I put my CV together and sent it to recruiters. They haven’t seemed very impressed, and I haven’t had much interest. One recruiter says that she can’t work out what I’ve done, and that some of the job titles I’ve had are so technical it’s impossible to see my level of responsibility. I don’t want to tell lies on my CV. What should I do?

Should I claim benefits?

October 20th, 2009

Question: I’ve just been made redundant and received quite a decent settlement, which means I don’t need to work again straight away. Should I sign on?

Experience, but no qualifications

September 13th, 2009

Question: Despite having no formal qualifications, I grew with the hotel chain I joined at 17, becoming a sales manager, and eventually an area sales director. Now that we’ve been taken over, I’ve been let go. I have no idea how to start with my CV – if it’s all about what exams I’ve got, it’s going to look rather bare!

Working your notice period

September 13th, 2009

Question: My company is making me redundant and I am working my notice period. Trouble is, there is no work to do! I have asked whether I can go home (ie take garden leave) but I’ve been told I must come into work every day throughout my notice period in case they have work for me. I feel very uncomfortable sitting with a book while everyone else is working. What can I do?

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