Jobseeking …

Hmmm …

So that’s what the website looks like, is it … ?

It certainly took its time loading up, I know that … !

But at any rate … ?

I’ve got to admit, I was in Basildon, today.

Frankly, as a result of being out of work for quite some time, now.

What happens, here in the UK, is that after a year out of work, one get’s put onto what’s called a work programme.

Which, at the moment … ?

SEEMS to consist of turning up at the Seetec office, once a month, and searching for work there.

How helpful it’ll be … ?

Well, I’m not sure, to be perfectly frank with you.

I DO know the staff all seem friendly and approachable, and that it — if nothing else — gets me out of the house.

Here’s hoping it helps …

Mixed Feelings

OK, granted, the Watchmen* take on the old Smiley icon.

But I’m blowed if I could find one that meant ‘mixed feelings’, I really couldn’t.

You remember that I’d had an interview, yesterday, with a little telesales company, out in Brentwood’s equivalent of the proverbial sticks … ?

Well …

I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t get it.

I’m …

Well, I’ll be honest, I’m having mixed feelings about that, as I’m sure you’ve probably guessed.

On the one hand … ?

It’s the first actual interview I’ve had for a while: and, while I’m alway’s uncertain of how well I did — I’m ALWAY’S uncertain about these things — I think the fact that I was offered a try out, almost on the spot, tells me that I was impressive enough.

Or that the company concerned were desperateº.

At ANY rate, the try-out was scheduled for this morning.

Then re-scheduled — late yesterday — for tomorrow morning.

I was mildly grateful: it gave me a chance to check on the bus timetables, and whether the company that operated the sole bus route to Doddinghurst offered season tickets, and what kind of help my local benefits office could offer me.

THEN I got cancelled, this morning, not long after I’d got out of the shower and posted up today’s Teaser.

Hmmm …

Frustrating …

You can imagine …

»»•««

At any rate, I’ll confess, this is exactly where the mixed feelings came in.

The job was offering what — to me — was a very good basic salary, plus commission on top, for a job that seemed well with-in my abilities: or, if not within them, then certainly easy enough to learn.

All I had to do was make sure of the bus route and time table, pass that try and …

And supply me bank details as needed, so any pay could go through, on payday.

So, as you can imagine … ?

As you can imagine, getting the proverbial elbow, before I’d actually been hired was both frustrating …

And something of a relief.

After all, getting there would have been something of a chore, I think: as much of a chore as getting to central London.

And …

Well, there’s something else, as well.

I know SOME of the land in this part of the world‘s fairly cheap.

But having an office on a farm in seriously rural Essex … ?

Well …

There’s something odd there …

* I’ve got to admit, the 2009 film version was one of the few times a film managed to stay close to it’s source material: what’s more, I think Jackie Earle Haley as Roschach was something else …

º I’m inclined to the latter, to be frank …

Hum, Drum … And Glum … !

You know, I’ve GOT to admit, confession can be good for the soul, occasionally, can’t it … ?

Do you mind me being confessional, at the moment … ?

I hope not … !

But to be frank … ?

I think the job situation — ie, not having one, at the moment — is getting to me.

Definitely getting to me.

Did I ever tell you I get mild depression … ?

Thankfully mild, and — with a thankfully mild dose of Prozac — manage to function perfectly well, thank you very much.

But right now … ?

Well … ?

Well, RIGHT now, I think that after I’m going to wander ’round to the local job centre, to see if they’ve anything in, that I can apply for.

Even if they don’t … ?

The walk will do me good.

CeX Work …

Hmmm …

You know, I’ve got to admit, I’m …

Disgruntled …

Possibly more than disgruntled, but lets stick with disgruntled, for now, shall we … ?

Yes …

»»•««

Do you remember that — a little while back — I was hired to work at the Brentwood branch of CeX … ?

And, after Christmas, had my hours reduced.

And then let go in March.

Hmmm …

I’ve got to admit, that was …

Well …

Annoying, looking back: in the way it was done, I should say.

But, at any rate … ?

At any rate, the job was finished, I started signing on looking for a new job.

Not exactly easy …

Yeah see, in the UK, those of us signing on for what’s called Job-seeker’s Allowance.

Usually … ?

Usually find it goes through fairly quickly.

Once the relevant government department gets your final bits of paperwork from your previous employers.

So far … ?

It all depends on getting that one little tax form that tells the Benefits people — or a new employer — what your tax code is.

The Brentwood branch of CeX … ?

Hasn’t done that, as yet … !

»»•««

Oh, I’m told by various shades of management that the form in question has — apparently — been sent out, not long after I left, in March.

But I’ve got to make a confession or two, here.

For starters … ?

It’s early June.

That particular form … ?

Usually turns up, within a fortnight …

So waiting around for a form — for THIS long — is not only causing a lot of financial hardship.

But getting ridiculous.

I’m going to make a suggestion, for those people reading this post, in the UK, in my town, and after a job.

Don’t apply at the Brentwood branch of CeX.

It won’t be fun, leaving it.