Employment and Job Search Information, Tips and Advice

If you are unemployed and looking for work, the costs of attending job interviews can add up. When your budget is already tight, this can put you in an even tighter situation.

That’s why it’s worth making the most of the help that is on offer from the Government. There are various schemes which you may be eligible to take advantage of; ask for further advice from your local Job Centre to see what applies in your particular circumstances.

Travel to Interview help

The ‘Travel To Interview Scheme’ can assist you with the costs of travelling to and from a job interview. Job opportunities in your local area will not be covered; the intention of this kind of help is to allow you to attend interviews further afield - the cost of which would normally be prohibitive when you are on Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Look for a work trial opportunity

Some vacancies allow employers to offer a temporary position to an unemployed person, so both parties can see whether they would be suited for each other. In this case, the work trial provides you with up to £10 daily to cover the costs of travelling to and from work.

Many of these work trials result in a permanent position for the job seeker, and during the trial itself your normal benefits will still be paid to you.

New Deal opportunities

The New Deal Scheme also offers help with your travel expenses. In this case they are not paid in full, but you will receive a generous discount on bus and train fares incurred while going to and from interviews.

Learning further skills

It’s also worth mentioning that if you want to learn some new skills to make yourself more marketable in the current job climate, you may be able to get support for your travel expenses. In this case it is advisable to ask your local Job Centre for information, as well as the college whose courses you are interested in.

Apply for a Job Grant

You can receive a Job Grant if you have found a new position that you would like to take up. There is no specific item it must be used for, but it can come in very handy for helping to pay the travel costs incurred going to and from work, before you get paid for the first time.

In short, the help is there for many job seekers to take advantage of – you just need to ask for advice on what would work best for you.

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