Hen
17th January 2011, 12:29
Just finished temp work and pop into the Job Centre to sort out my unemployment benefit.
Lady: So what are you interested in doing?
Me: Well I have a degree in Politics, lived in Japan and speak some Japanese.
Lady: Oh really? Why do have an interest in Japan?
Me: It's good to see how other people live, and what makes them happy. It's good to challenge your own outlook on life.
Lady: (sits back in chair) chuckles* It's just a little strange. Sorry I don't mean strange, just unusual.
Me: Oh that's great for me then.
Lady: Anyway let's crack on. Last time you were here you stated that your job goals were in admin/clerical/office assistant. Is that still the case?
Me: Not really. I offered those job goals with a view to saving up for something more career-orientated. Perhaps a move to the city where I might be able to use my Japanese ability.
Lady: So what do you want to do then?
Me: Perhaps a government agency, British council...perhaps a move to Japan...somewhere I can use my Japanese.
Lady: Let's see what we can put then.
(Lady types into the computer:
"government" - no job title appears.
"interpreter" - no job title appears.
"translator" - no job title appears).
Lady thinks for a while and say's
Lady: Whilst I encourage you to keep doing Japanese and whatever...I would suggest that in terms of the Job Centre that it is not quite realistic.
Me: So you mean the Job Centre is all about a "quick fix"?
Lady: Well yes. Being on benefits is not a long-term solution you see.
Me: Of course.
Lady: So we'll leave your 'job goals' as admin etc and you'll have to show that you're also looking for work in this area. OK?
Me: Right
What I actually wish I had said was:
"Of course being on benefits is not a long-term solution, but you ask people their job goals, then they're going to tell you. Instead of helping people and providing them with the information to be able to achieve their goals, you're telling them to "settle" for whatever they can get.
By the very fact that "government", "interpreter" or "translator" doesn't appear on your system just shows that you think these positions are "out of reach" from the type of person you expect to come in the Job Centre.
You're not encouraging people to move up the income bracket, you're not allowing for social mobility, you're offering a confined market of low-paid jobs for the working classes to fight over.
SCREW YOU"
Lady: So what are you interested in doing?
Me: Well I have a degree in Politics, lived in Japan and speak some Japanese.
Lady: Oh really? Why do have an interest in Japan?
Me: It's good to see how other people live, and what makes them happy. It's good to challenge your own outlook on life.
Lady: (sits back in chair) chuckles* It's just a little strange. Sorry I don't mean strange, just unusual.
Me: Oh that's great for me then.
Lady: Anyway let's crack on. Last time you were here you stated that your job goals were in admin/clerical/office assistant. Is that still the case?
Me: Not really. I offered those job goals with a view to saving up for something more career-orientated. Perhaps a move to the city where I might be able to use my Japanese ability.
Lady: So what do you want to do then?
Me: Perhaps a government agency, British council...perhaps a move to Japan...somewhere I can use my Japanese.
Lady: Let's see what we can put then.
(Lady types into the computer:
"government" - no job title appears.
"interpreter" - no job title appears.
"translator" - no job title appears).
Lady thinks for a while and say's
Lady: Whilst I encourage you to keep doing Japanese and whatever...I would suggest that in terms of the Job Centre that it is not quite realistic.
Me: So you mean the Job Centre is all about a "quick fix"?
Lady: Well yes. Being on benefits is not a long-term solution you see.
Me: Of course.
Lady: So we'll leave your 'job goals' as admin etc and you'll have to show that you're also looking for work in this area. OK?
Me: Right
What I actually wish I had said was:
"Of course being on benefits is not a long-term solution, but you ask people their job goals, then they're going to tell you. Instead of helping people and providing them with the information to be able to achieve their goals, you're telling them to "settle" for whatever they can get.
By the very fact that "government", "interpreter" or "translator" doesn't appear on your system just shows that you think these positions are "out of reach" from the type of person you expect to come in the Job Centre.
You're not encouraging people to move up the income bracket, you're not allowing for social mobility, you're offering a confined market of low-paid jobs for the working classes to fight over.
SCREW YOU"