Debra Said:

Can I go the jobcentre?

We Answered:

Find recruitment agencies (they earn commission from the companies when they provide them with workers, so they dont care how old you are, provided your legal)

Tina Said:

how can i improve my cover letter for receptionist job?

We Answered:

Almost there, but a few things for improvement:

1. I assume the experience at ..... (ie: name removed) was relevant to this job? ie, a doctors surgery? If not, you have to make the rest very compelling to get the job
2. Ring up, find out who to address the letter to. Dear Sir/Madam = rejection!
3. You see the order of the way they have noted the skills down in their advert (ie: telephone, computers, reception, doctors, etc). You need to echo that in your Cover Letter, as that is the priority list for the ideal job applicant. The simplest Cover Letter is two columns: You want, I have. Do not write it like that, but you get the idea
4. Always close on a call to action, never I look forward to hearing from you. Ideally "I will call you in the next five days to discuss further."

One last point: you could embellish this line to: "I enjoy working in busy environments and am a self starter requiring very little supervision, which you will find is supported by my references." It just shows them you are thinking one step ahead

Good Luck!

Yolanda Said:

[UK] Why does the Government keep saying?

We Answered:

Because Tories are jerks and have no real grip on reality for the lower income and involuntarily unemployed, so vote Labour at the next election! Seriously, you're right, while there are jobs out there, the number of applicants far exceeds the number of jibs. Why don't you email or write to companies instead of walking there, that way, you'll get an email or letter back (or at least have a copy of the email or letter you wrote) to show Jobcentre how hard you've been looking to find something. There's very little incentive for young people to stay in the UK right now, why don't you consider moving away for a few months and finding a job somewhere in Europe? With the holiday season coming, there'll be plenty of temp positions in warmer climes. Or take up a voluntary position out there, even though you won't be paid, it'll show how determined you are to get out there and work. If nothing else, you might get a little more respect from the guys in Jobcentre

Charlie Said:

Will unemployment get better soon?In the area I live there is just about nothing available,and that's fact.?

We Answered:

I'm sure things will pick up given time.
Jobless claims are falling and jobs are leaving the US as lower rates. Plus jobs are being created all over now. So I know things are gonna get better and we will have a thriving economy just like before.

Jennie Said:

Jobcentre Plus says there are still 530,000 job vacancies in the UK at any time. ?

We Answered:

Many will be jobs requiring particular skills that not everyone is able to apply for. Its all very well if there are, say 20 jobs for plasterers in your area but if you're not a plasterer then those 20 jobs are no use to you! And as Croxx says, there are the plasterer jobs going for £6 an hour instead of £20 which noone in their right mind would want (other than EU migrants).

They also advertise jobs which are going to be internally filled anyway - the local Councils are notorious for this. They will always fill any jobs internally (or through the old "jobs for the boys" method) but they are obliged by law to advertise them anyway, which bumps up the number of "jobs" available and means that people waste an awful lot of time applying for a job they have no hope of getting (because its already going to someone whose mum works there and she "pulled a few strings")

A lot are also agency jobs which are insecure, temporary contracts. they still count as "jobs" but aren't much use when you have a mortgage to pay.

TBH I've NEVER found the Jobcentre staff "helpful" or "very nice" and I'm glad I've always been able to find work on my own and not have to rely on their help. In general they don't care if you get a job or not, lets face it, you being unemployed is what gets them paid!