The Jobcentre
I was unemployed for 9 months last year and so had the joy of signing on. I overheard some pretty shocking 'advice' being given out, such as 'Your problem is you're over-qualified. Try leaving bits out of your cv'(I kid you not).
My particular pet was this guy that told me, 'Well, you see, you're looking for this salary but most of the jobs these days are about £10,000 less than that.' When I eventually found my new job I made sure I saw that guy to sign off, as part of the signing off paperwork asked for my new salary. When he looked at it he said, 'That's more than I earn' so I said 'I know.'
It felt kind of nice.
( Geoff the Clownfish You know Myra, some people might think you're cute, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 14:48, 15 replies)

I was told to "omit" my degree as well as other stuff in my CV by the job centre recently. Sad considering that I worked hard to get it and now I'm told to hide the fact I went to uni.
(RJWEcology is just sharpening his axe on, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 15:12, closed)

Depends - was it in Media Studies?

( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 15:25, closed)

Not Media Studies. BSc(Hons) Biology 2.1 - I'm certainly not going to diss other courses (considering how well I'm doing at the moment!). Besides, some aspects of Media Studies sound quite interesting.
(RJWEcology is just sharpening his axe on, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 15:31, closed)

definition of irony
When the media whinge about people studying media

See also - ex-pats complaining about immigrants.
( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 16:07, closed)

Actually that's not the definition of irony.

( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 16:08, closed)

How ironic.

(ConanTroutman thought we would free the vulture, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 17:18, closed)

I am - I did Meeja Studies
It really is Mickey Mouse stuff.

Bloody good fun, and yes, interesting, but it's three years of "The government lies, and the media is biased to the perceived opinions of their demographic in order to sell advertising space."

That's it, really - the rest is just so much hot air.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 16:09, closed)

Unless
You want a job stacking shelves, or working in a factory, the job center ironically doesn't have any jobs. All the jobs posted are lip service, unless you go in there with a suit on, they tar everone with the same brush, which is usually the loser brush.
(bROKEN aRROW PUA HVI Master, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 16:14, closed)

I don't know anyone who has ever
got a job through the job centre.
( Mrs Entity is in hiding., Mon 14 Feb 2011, 18:08, closed)

To be fair though ... you do live under a bush on Bruray.

( Dr. Shambolic je suis charlie, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 18:21, closed)

This is true
Also, never talk to people.
( Mrs Entity is in hiding., Mon 14 Feb 2011, 22:45, closed)

If you're well qualified you shouldn't need them.
If your qualifications are worth advertising you should find a job quickly and barely need the dole. If not, then how long should you wait before taking a shelf-stacking job (for example)?
If you don't need a job enough to hide your qualifications then you're very priviledged and should think yourself damn lucky.
I'd say the staff were giving good advice to their demographic.
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Mon 14 Feb 2011, 20:58, closed)

Try
telling that to the qualified students with no work experience leaving Uni. Even jobs stacking shelves are at a premium but no fear, big Dave's big society will sort them all out by firing all the paid charity workers and replacing them with people claiming benefits. I admit this may be good for the career scroungers however.
(bROKEN aRROW PUA HVI Master, Tue 15 Feb 2011, 9:32, closed)

I think you're living in a dream world

( Geoff the Clownfish You know Myra, some people might think you're cute, Wed 16 Feb 2011, 9:05, closed)

The advice is supposed to be one-on-one
a general demographic isn't relevant.
Farnborough Job Centre - lovely staff but did nothing for me in job finding tersm. Christ that was only a year ago too...
( Fathter Puddytat Kill Kill dat widdle boid is mine on, Wed 16 Feb 2011, 18:45, closed)