Jobsbridge and interviews -- tell the truth or?

curios

Okay so I just finished a jobsbridge internship. Went well. I learned loads. The company would have kept me on but they're a start-up and don't have 20k to take me on. Which, tbh, annoyed me a bit because I really worked hard for the company but it is what it is.

I have a great CV and I've got a number of interviews lined up. I haven't specified that my last role was as an intern. The jobs wanted a years experience, which I have, including an unpaid role I had prior to my internship for six months. I'm very good at what I do. Two of the roles I'm applying for asked for sample work and a portfolio and I submitted all that. So it's all good. I think I have a good chance of getting a job out of my upcoming interviews but I have two worries.

1. Should I say straight-up it was Jobsbridge? I think some employers might see that negatively even though I did a lot of great work. If the question of salary comes up, obviously I'll tell it like it is. It's just I had another job interview a couple of weeks ago, got through several hours and rounds of interviews and to the last stage. Told them my last (then current) role was Jobsbridge and they were a bit surprised and finished the interview there and then even though I hadn't lied about what work I'd done/can do.

2. If I don't say it was jobsbridge, I obviously have no P45 and will have to get a P46 and state this is my new employment. I worked through college in Penneys, but that's a while ago so no use for the tax year. I presume the P46 would confirm that I haven't got paid experience in this field? Like, the roles I applied for don't ask for paid experience, just experience so should this matter?

It's been suggested I say I was privately contracted and didn't earn enough for tax but surely that would open a can of worms as I'm on the JSA?

gandalf

If you are asked I would tell them straight out. If they think you lied to them later on they may view that very negatively indeed. I think the fact you got off your arse and used what you learnt to get experience should be viewed in a very positive fashion. It shows initiative and employers value that.

Mrs OBumble

Don't lie - but there's no need to tell the full story either.

You worked at the last place on a fixed-term contract, which is now ended. The fact that you were not paid a full salary during that time is none of a new employer's business - unless they ask you outright "was it a Jobridge?"

You could even just say that it was an internship, and that they couldn't keep you on for cash-flow reasons. (Could have been a paid internship, for all they know.)

Re the P45, no bother there. As you say, just do a P46. And at this time of year, the P45 is getting pretty irrelevant anyways. (If you get a job this side of Christmas, though, make sure you call Revenue next year after your P60 is issued, and ask for a balancing statement, so you get back any emergency tax from this year.)

curios

Thanks for the info guys. I feel a bit less anxious now! Fingers crossed for the interviews.

Wabbit Ears

Be honest in interviews, there is no shame in doing work under jobsbridge to get experience, that's what the scheme is there for.

starlit

If they ask tell them but just state it was unpaid its up to you if you wish to state it was a jobbridge. Being honest as possible is important. They aren't worth the bother if they can't deal with previous employment being a jobbridge. I've no problems saying most of my jobs and previous job was unpaid and only ever had one paid job. No skin off my nose if they don't like it.

curios

doovdela wrote: »

If they ask tell them but just state it was unpaid its up to you if you wish to state it was a jobbridge. Being honest as possible is important. They aren't worth the bother if they can't deal with previous employment being a jobbridge. I've no problems saying most of my jobs and previous job was unpaid and only ever had one paid job. No skin off my nose if they don't like it.

I think it was that interview I had a few weeks back that threw me. It was a good job--probably over-reaching a bit, to be honest, but I have the skills and the year experience they were looking for. Did three rounds of interviews. Nailed the first one. Second one went really well. All good. Got me to do a task and a small quiz type thing to assess abilities. I was there for more than three hours! Got really high marks.

Went in for the final round, chatting away so I reckon it's time to say it was jobbridge--just to make sure everything is in the open. I tell them and the interviewer's face DROPS and I get a curt 'we'll be in touch'. Off I go. I think that really dented my confidence.

But this isn't therapy so I'll stop rambling. :pac:

pauliebdub

Was this a hight tech IT company by any chance? There is a fair bit of snobbery in some of these places that would look down on jobsbridge. Mention that you did an internship, only say jobsbridge if you are asked. It really shows initiative on your part and the work will pay off. Good luck.

curios wrote: »

Went in for the final round, chatting away so I reckon it's time to say it was jobbridge--just to make sure everything is in the open. I tell them and the interviewer's face DROPS and I get a curt 'we'll be in touch'. Off I go. I think that really dented my confidence.

But this isn't therapy so I'll stop rambling. :pac:

curios

pauliebdub wrote: »

Was this a hight tech IT company by any chance? There is a fair bit of snobbery in some of these places that would look down on jobsbridge. Mention that you did an internship, only say jobsbridge if you are asked. It really shows initiative on your part and the work will pay off. Good luck.

Nope. I'd understand if that was the case! It was in an advertising agency. The work was something I could do! If they'd said no because they thought I was no good or not a right fit, fine.

But anyway, thanks for the replies.

InReality

curios wrote: »

I think it was that interview I had a few weeks back that threw me. It was a good job--probably over-reaching a bit, to be honest, but I have the skills and the year experience they were looking for. Did three rounds of interviews. Nailed the first one. Second one went really well. All good. Got me to do a task and a small quiz type thing to assess abilities. I was there for more than three hours! Got really high marks.

Went in for the final round, chatting away so I reckon it's time to say it was jobbridge--just to make sure everything is in the open. I tell them and the interviewer's face DROPS and I get a curt 'we'll be in touch'. Off I go. I think that really dented my confidence.

But this isn't therapy so I'll stop rambling. :pac:

That's pretty ignorant on the part of the interviewer. Once a person has gained experience the name of the scheme isn't really relevant to their ability to do the job.

Sadly people like that exist.

doc11

InReality wrote: »

That's pretty ignorant on the part of the interviewer. Once a person has gained experience the name of the scheme isn't really relevant to their ability to do the job.

Sadly people like that exist.

There's a diference in getting paid and working for free. As an intern the company placed zero value on your contribution and then kicked you to the curb once time was up. A company paying you a wage for nine months shows your valuable team member rather then a burden.

braddun

never lie


I would apply to the companys customers

mary55

Is not better to have 9 months work experience then nothing. And if u can't get a job because of lack of experience then A scheme like this is the only way to get experience and which will hopefully lead on to a job.

cocaholic

doc11 wrote: »

There's a diference in getting paid and working for free. As an intern the company placed zero value on your contribution and then kicked you to the curb once time was up. A company paying you a wage for nine months shows your valuable team member rather then a burden.

I wouldn't say an unpaid intern is a burden rather its free labour for the company.

curios

doc11 wrote: »

There's a diference in getting paid and working for free. As an intern the company placed zero value on your contribution and then kicked you to the curb once time was up. A company paying you a wage for nine months shows your valuable team member rather then a burden.

Bit harsh, no?

InReality

doc11 wrote: »

There's a diference in getting paid and working for free. As an intern the company placed zero value on your contribution and then kicked you to the curb once time was up. A company paying you a wage for nine months shows your valuable team member rather then a burden.

I'm sure that's not the same in all companies. Small places could give great work experience to someone but might not have the money to employ them. And if itern is a "burden" why take them on at all or keep them ?

Mrs OBumble

curios wrote: »

Bit harsh, no?

Maybe, or maybe not.

Bit true or not, that's how some potential employers will see things

mary55

But surely its better to have 9 months work experience then a big gap on ur CV where you done nothing. Doing an internship has to be better then doing nothing.

doc11

curios wrote: »

Bit harsh, no?

I was just giving a possible view of an employer.

If you worked nine months for a competitor for free why should I pay for you attitude perhaps.

Mrs OBumble

mary55 wrote: »

But surely its better to have 9 months work experience then a big gap on ur CV where you done nothing. Doing an internship has to be better then doing nothing.

For you, yes.

But you could equally have been using the time to study, or do voluntary work for a good cause rather than a for-profit business.

And if you think about it from an employer perspective it looks like the company have put up with you while they got you for free, but don't feel that you're adding enough value to make you worth employing.

Now I agree this is harsh, and especially for a startup the lack of cashflow can be the real issue. But not all employers will see it that way.

Jim2007

curios wrote: »

Went in for the final round, chatting away so I reckon it's time to say it was jobbridge--just to make sure everything is in the open. I tell them and the interviewer's face DROPS and I get a curt 'we'll be in touch'. Off I go. I think that really dented my confidence.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with gaining experience where you can and if someone behaves in that manor then you are better off somewhere else, because the chances are very high that there will be other issues down the line.

NotaSheep

it is unfortunately possible to get rejected at interview stage for all sort of spurious reasons that are unfair. I have seen a lot of discussions around girls going to their interview 'sans' their engagement or wedding ring for example. Shouldn't make a difference, but sometimes it does. My view on this would be if this was the attitude of the employer, I'd be happy to be shot of them - chances are this attitude would transfer to other areas of work. I would actually not try to hide it at all. Turn it to your advantage - explain you worked in a start-up and as such you were given a very wide area of responsibility, worked in a highly paced environment with a lot of pressures and with regard to deadlines, had to learn and adapt quickly etc etc - something start-ups can offer in an internship that other can't. It's a strength, not a weakness and you will arrive at interview stage knowing that the employer wants you because of your type of experience, not in spite of it.

Jim2007

doc11 wrote: »

There's a diference in getting paid and working for free. As an intern the company placed zero value on your contribution and then kicked you to the curb once time was up. A company paying you a wage for nine months shows your valuable team member rather then a burden.

An extremely limited view and frankly I'd have no interest in working for an employer that displays that attitude. And I have no hesitation in saying that if I detected such an attitude I'd have pulled the plug on the interview myself - and I have done on occasions.

B.A._Baracus

I say be honest
In the interview it will be asked why you currently do not work there anymore.

noodler

Don't mention it.

Fixed--term placement or contract.

irishgrover

I work in IT. I hire people. From my point of view someone getting work experience through jobbridge is a double positive. First off, it gains the applicant some experience, secondly the fact the it is jobbridge shows the the individual is committed to getting work experience, and is willing to take a hit, through extra commitment, with minimal or no monetary benefit, in order to increase their knowledge and experience.
Honestly, if someone is being interviewed for a position and the interviewer has jobbridge snobbery then there is increased probability that they are a god****e and take some limited solace that you're not going to be working for someone so narrow minded.

pauliebdub

Also working as an intern in a startup can be great as it will give you a fantastic overview of how a small company works and the different aspects of the development process, more beneficial I'd say than working in a larger company where you might only be exposed to ne or two areas. Use the experience to your advantage to sell yourself to hirer's and you'll be fine.

Good luck!!!