Big, (for me) Interview on Monday, help appreciated.

[mrtwisty]

Ahh balls, thats a shame mate. You did bloody well to make it to the last three though, and it seems that it was logistics/circumstances that tripped you up - not anything lacking in you personally or professionally.

Better luck next time - keep plugging away!

[johnwilliams77]

chilistrucker said:

Received an email 5 minutes ago, it appears the commute is indeed too much.
Absolutely gutted

Sorry to hear
Should have used our 'mates' room as your work address...

[21TonyK]

mrtwisty said:

Ahh balls, thats a shame mate. You did bloody well to make it to the last three though, and it seems that it was logistics/circumstances that tripped you up - not anything lacking in you personally or professionally.

Better luck next time - keep plugging away!

Exactly this. Keep plugging away, onwards and upwards

[Fer]

Good luck to have made it so far, CT. Onward and upward.

Never stop trying.

[chilistrucker]

Fer said:

Good luck to have made it so far, CT. Onward and upward.

Never stop trying.

Thanks all.
Never stop trying.
Well I haven't After much thinking I have just sent an email to their recruitment lady with an idea, it has to be worth a try. I'm pretty sick of the last couple of years tbh, but not giving up just yet. Sooner or later things will come good.

[4x4Tyke]

chilistrucker said:

Sadly not possible to relocate at the mo.

I can certainly see that some people would just not consider me because of my commute and I fully understand that. All depends on the decision of the boss man now.

Well done, sounds like an interest role.

Consider what makes it 'not possible', and what would make it possible. Come up with a response, a longer term plan. This will come up at a second interview so be prepared.

[chilistrucker]

4x4Tyke said:

chilistrucker said:

Sadly not possible to relocate at the mo.

I can certainly see that some people would just not consider me because of my commute and I fully understand that. All depends on the decision of the boss man now.

Well done, sounds like an interest role.

Consider what makes it 'not possible', and what would make it possible. Come up with a response, a longer term plan. This will come up at a second interview so be prepared.

After the initial bad news on the day, I did exactly what you mention. It may seem odd to some, and I could see how some would respond with, 'I wouldn't do that for any job', quality of life etc, etc but this is what I came up with.

I spent all night searching online and found a few websites where you can rent a room on a Monday-Friday only basis which for me would be ideal. A tidy en-suite room within 5 miles of the required address available for £100 per week, with off street parking.
The reason I didn't get the 2nd interview, (even though i was in the final 3 and the PA's favorite) was not only the distance of my commute, but the fact the family didn't want the company car i'd have use of, on their estate overnight. So I thought I had come up with a possible solution to the issues raised.
It would cost me £110 per week to commute daily in fuel and running costs for this job with my own car, plus that rather annoying commute from a time perspective for myself.

I thought what I had come up with was a possible reasonable solution for everyone, both the principle and his family, and a bit of an easier position for myself to try and get a job I really fancied and think I could of been quite good at. I'd avoid the crazy commute and daily wear and tear on my own vehicle, and the principle would have a decent candidate for the role, and not have said vehicle on their grounds every night. I'd then use their vehicle on a Friday night for my commute home, and then back again very early on a Monday morning both suiting their needs and my own.

I ran this idea by the recruitment consultant who said it may be viable and she passed it on to the PA. The PA agreed that it could be viable, but she would obviously have to run this by the Boss and his decision would be final. I understand that. The PA was due to be seeing the boss today or Monday. I don't expect that final interview, but at least I tried to solve a problem and at the same time showed a decent level of forward thinking and commitment.

I really did fancy the job as it would have been a step in the right direction but it's out of my hands now.

On a brighter note, (for those that know the story) I received a very out of the blue phone call today from the DVLA
Apparently the very helpful lady told me they are sending me my LGV licence forms again, so that I can re apply to get my LGV licences back. Hmmmmm, how bizarre. After 2 years of ruining my life, (I genuinely mean that) now they want to be my friend.
How interesting. I wonder if this is perhaps related in any way to the recent Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsmans report?


As challenging as the the last 2 years have been, they certainly haven't been dull.

Edited by chilistrucker on Friday 25th November 20:56

[Shaw Tarse]

Just go on the dole & claim

[chilistrucker]

Shaw Tarse said:

Just go on the dole & claim

The thing I'd least like to do. Sadly 2 years ago I had to, thats how desperate I was. I couldn't work, we didn't have a penny and the bills were mounting fast. I had to swallow my pride and go ahead and claim, what a farce that was
It turns out that after 25 odd years of paying full tax and N.I i was told I was entitled to £22 per week. I was miffed, but had to take it as things had got that bad. 10 weeks in the Mrs got a phone call from the benefit people saying they had overpaid us by 5 weeks and demanded £110 on the spot. My Mrs bless her, panicked and payed it there and then with the very last bit of money we had.
A few weeks later we got a demanding letter threatening court action because we owed them £110

I was livid, I immediately phoned them to tell them that against my will we had already payed this. They informed me that payment was for the 2nd 5 weeks, but we still owed them for the first 5 weeks of benefit we had received!!!
It turns out that they had re evaluated our situation, (without ever informing us) and in their opinion as our son was living at home he should be paying us £27 more per week than he already was. That meant that we were, (in their opinion) never entitled to the benefit that they had payed us, so we now owed it back to them
They were now threatening court action, as we hadn't payed the outstanding £110, that would be the £110 that they had never previously informed us that we now owed them.

I KNOW, I KNOW, YOU REALLY COULDN'T MAKE THIS st UP

When I look back over the last 2 and a half years I often wonder why? Several times I've nearly thrown the towel in, I've been at rock bottom, sold most decent things I owned just to put food on the table and done some horrendous jobs, for peanuts but I just wasn't going to quit.

I sat here last night feeling really low again after what now looks like just missing out on this job that could have made a difference. I was for some unknown reason dreading today, (my birthday) nothing to celebrate, no real prospects and just staring at the wall having run out of ideas and the will to carry on. My mood swings are terrible at times.
I'm not after sympathy or pity but I do feel a little bit wronged and that is aimed entirely at the DVLA/DMG.

I would just like some justice for the monumental cock ups the DMG have made, and for them to realize the impact this has had on so many peoples lives that they have ruined. Fortunately for these people and myself its now out there in black and white thanks to the excellent PHSO report.

I'm sure a lot of people must think, 'fk me, is he still going on about this?'
Yes I am, but at times the ranting works for me. Sorry.

Woo hoo, happy birthday

[tumble dryer]

chilistrucker said:

Shaw Tarse said:

Just go on the dole & claim

The thing I'd least like to do. Sadly 2 years ago I had to, thats how desperate I was. I couldn't work, we didn't have a penny and the bills were mounting fast. I had to swallow my pride and go ahead and claim, what a farce that was
It turns out that after 25 odd years of paying full tax and N.I i was told I was entitled to £22 per week. I was miffed, but had to take it as things had got that bad. 10 weeks in the Mrs got a phone call from the benefit people saying they had overpaid us by 5 weeks and demanded £110 on the spot. My Mrs bless her, panicked and payed it there and then with the very last bit of money we had.
A few weeks later we got a demanding letter threatening court action because we owed them £110

I was livid, I immediately phoned them to tell them that against my will we had already payed this. They informed me that payment was for the 2nd 5 weeks, but we still owed them for the first 5 weeks of benefit we had received!!!
It turns out that they had re evaluated our situation, (without ever informing us) and in their opinion as our son was living at home he should be paying us £27 more per week than he already was. That meant that we were, (in their opinion) never entitled to the benefit that they had payed us, so we now owed it back to them
They were now threatening court action, as we hadn't payed the outstanding £110, that would be the £110 that they had never previously informed us that we now owed them.

I KNOW, I KNOW, YOU REALLY COULDN'T MAKE THIS st UP

When I look back over the last 2 and a half years I often wonder why? Several times I've nearly thrown the towel in, I've been at rock bottom, sold most decent things I owned just to put food on the table and done some horrendous jobs, for peanuts but I just wasn't going to quit.

I sat here last night feeling really low again after what now looks like just missing out on this job that could have made a difference. I was for some unknown reason dreading today, (my birthday) nothing to celebrate, no real prospects and just staring at the wall having run out of ideas and the will to carry on. My mood swings are terrible at times.
I'm not after sympathy or pity but I do feel a little bit wronged and that is aimed entirely at the DVLA/DMG.

I would just like some justice for the monumental cock ups the DMG have made, and for them to realize the impact this has had on so many peoples lives that they have ruined. Fortunately for these people and myself its now out there in black and white thanks to the excellent PHSO report.

I'm sure a lot of people must think, 'fk me, is he still going on about this?'
Yes I am, but at times the ranting works for me. Sorry.

Woo hoo, happy birthday

Happy Birthday Chili.

Rant away! (Kudus to you; it'll come good.)

[CharlesdeGaulle]

DMG?

Happy birthday by the way.

[mrtwisty]

You are not 'still going on about this' CT, you are telling us your story. As far as I'm concerned that is one of the most interesting and valuable functions of this 'place'.

I've followed your story over the last couple of years, but haven't commented much to be honest.

It has opened my eyes.

You are clearly a genuine, hard-working, down on his luck guy - excactly the kind of chap the welfare state was designed to support. I'm disgusted that you have been subjected to such treatment, while individuals such as austinsmirk (of this parish) describes are coddled throughout their uniformly feckless and undeserving existence.

The very best of luck to you my freind, I'm certain that you deserve it. The next time I'm in the south east I'll pm you to see if you're nearby so I can buy you a beer. If you find yourself in Derbyshire or thereabouts, drop me a line.


Edit - speling

Edited by mrtwisty on Friday 25th November 23:02

Edited by mrtwisty on Friday 25th November 23:03

[chilistrucker]

Thanks.
DMG=Drivers Medical Group. Probably boring to most but not to those who have suffered, the PHSO, (Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman)report on the failings of the DMG/DVLA makes for very interesting reading. Its approx 57 pages long and is the first thing in 2 and a half years that backs me up and shows that I was, like many others well and truly wronged.

Nice of the DVLA to phone me today, and inform me they were sending me the forms for me to re-apply for my LGV licences back. They even hinted they'd pay for the medical charge I may incur from my GP, hmmmm, friendly bunch all of a sudden.

Hate is a strong word, but this is genuinely what I feel when I remember all of my dealings with the incompetent idiots at the DMG. They have no idea of the damage they have caused, and according to the PHSO are still failing today on so many levels and try and ignore their past failings. Luckily for me the PHSO have given me some very good advice on how to now move things forward in my case, and I have recently been contacted by one of the big truck magazines who are running a story on all of this.

I hope heads roll for this. I know that is quite a strong thing to say but for those that ruled on my life for the last 2 years, I hope you feel my pain and frustration.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

I don't know the background to any of this, but followed this thread and your job search with interest. I'd just caution you against saying too much whilst you've put yourself and this thread 'out there' as you search for a job.

[chilistrucker]

Thanks mrtwisty, very kind

CDG, I fully understand, and you're right

The thing is they have already taken everything from me and tried to brush me under the carpet for the last 2 years. They deliberately went out of their way to make it as awkward as they possibly could. At times it almost felt like victimisation. The PHSO report shows that at times it wasn't even qualified medical professionals that were making these decisions, it was unqualified case managers. The thought of an under qualified case manager ruling on my case over that of my neuro consultant drives me insane. I have nothing to lose anymore, everything to gain. I tried to do everything by their book, it didn't work.

[The Mad Monk]

chilistrucker said:

I thought what I had come up with was a possible reasonable solution for everyone, both the principle and his family,

On a brighter note, (for those that know the story) I received a very out of the blue phone call today from the DVLA
Apparently the very helpful lady told me they are sending me my LGV licence forms again, so that I can re apply to get my LGV licences back. Hmmmmm, how bizarre. After 2 years of ruining my life, (I genuinely mean that) now they want to be my friend.
How interesting. I wonder if this is perhaps related in any way to the recent Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsmans report?

Edited by chilistrucker on Friday 25th November 20:56

I have followed your story with some interest. A couple of points, if I may. Unfortunately they are not very positive.

The DVLA didn't ruin your life. They refused to renew your licence.

You have referred a number of times to "the principle and his family". May I suggest you research the different spellings and meanings of the words 'principal and principle'.

Oh, just one more thing, you are overdosing on the emoticons.

[johnwilliams77]

The Mad Monk said:

I have followed your story with some interest. A couple of points, if I may. Unfortunately they are not very positive.

The DVLA didn't ruin your life. They refused to renew your licence.

You have referred a number of times to "the principle and his family". May I suggest you research the different spellings and meanings of the words 'principal and principle'.

Oh, just one more thing, you are overdosing on the emoticons.

Well, you are a breath of fresh air! May I suggest you stop nitpicking on what seems like a decent bloke. Achieves very little

[truck71]

The Mad Monk said:

I have followed your story with some interest. A couple of points, if I may. Unfortunately they are not very positive.

The DVLA didn't ruin your life. They refused to renew your licence.

You have referred a number of times to "the principle and his family". May I suggest you research the different spellings and meanings of the words 'principal and principle'.

Oh, just one more thing, you are overdosing on the emoticons.

What a sad post.

[chilistrucker]

The Mad Monk said:

I have followed your story with some interest. A couple of points, if I may. Unfortunately they are not very positive.

The DVLA didn't ruin your life. They refused to renew your licence.

You have referred a number of times to "the principle and his family". May I suggest you research the different spellings and meanings of the words 'principal and principle'.

Oh, just one more thing, you are overdosing on the emoticons.

Thanks and duly noted, indeed my error. I went by the spelling on the job description that was sent to me and I did not pick up on this. I should have.

We are all entitled to our opinions. I feel they have ruined my life, that is my opinion. Had you lived my life for the last 2 years you may, possibly, have some understanding of where I am coming from.
If you get a chance, read the full PHSO report. It's 57 pages long but it may give you a better understanding of quite how badly the DMG/DVLA have failed people like myself with their incompetence and it's all there in black and white.

All opinions welcome but surely you have to have a full understanding of a story before you comment on it.
I'll leave out any emoticons, as it appears you prefer to have no emotions.

The last sentence is in context, so those specific 2 words are correct.

[johnwilliams77]

chilistrucker said:

Thanks and duly noted, indeed my error. I went by the spelling on the job description that was sent to me and I did not pick up on this. I should have.

We are all entitled to our opinions. I feel they have ruined my life, that is my opinion. Had you lived my life for the last 2 years you may, possibly, have some understanding of where I am coming from.
If you get a chance, read the full PHSO report. It's 57 pages long but it may give you a better understanding of quite how badly the DMG/DVLA have failed people like myself with their incompetence and it's all there in black and white.

All opinions welcome but surely you have to have a full understanding of a story before you comment on it.
I'll leave out any emoticons, as it appears you prefer to have no emotions.

The last sentence is in context, so those specific 2 words are correct.

Life is far better when you ignore these type of tossers mate