6 month review...

I have just got back from the Job shop and I was devestated and pretty humiliated to find out that I was attending my six month jobseekers review.

I really didn't think it had been that long, although I has probably been in denial since finishing my contract with Places for People, where I had worked for Admin support for six months previously.

I had promised myself (and felt quite smug at my forward thinking, during the comfort of the 9-5) that I was NEVER going to be unemployed again, and I laughed dismissively at the long queue outside my local jobcentre, vowing that I would never again be part of that miserable meandering line. I would continue with my budding career as as administrative support, an illustrative path that was littered with attractive mortgages at reasonable percentage rates and job security with health insurance and new pens, and never again would I beg at the feet of the job point, clicking on 'new jobs' that consisted of mainly leaflet distributers and kleeneze contributors. Finally at the age of 25, after two healf hearted attempts at university and numerous dead end jobs, I was going places. I was earning my keep, and part of the work force.

Now, after 1,600 applications, 289 phone calls (it would have been more, but jobseekers allowence doesnt really cover phone credit) and 4 interviews, plus one rejection letter that read 'To Mr Damaris Young" I am ready to give up. In fact, I did give up yesterday and I sat in my room eating rich tea biscuits and watching 'That 70's show' and I didnt even look at my emails.

They say that people on benefits are lazy timewasters who are leaching off the tax payers money, and this image makes me feel even worse about my situation - if it is so easy to find a job, what am I doing wrong?!

I have decided to write a blog after a friend has decided to do a small documentary on the benefits system and I was asked to write up a little bit....this started a flood of emotive writing on the subject which I will put up next - and I will continue to blog my frustrated job search until I find a job......this may take a while.