Should I put on my CV that I can only work part time hours for around £6000 a year?

[Mr Allen]

Topic.

I've worked out that based on maximum earning of £120 a week without benefit sanctions, I can come away with £6240 a year Salary if I get a job.

Should I put this in the Summary section on my CV or would it put potential employers off?

Answers on a postcard please.

Come on make with the helpful comments!

 

[the_tortoise]

I would include the hours you're looking for but not say anything about pay, and frame it in the most positive language possible (like "I can work up to [x] hours per week" rather than "I can't work more than [x] hours per week" or even just say you're specifically looking for [x] hours per week without any mention of ability .... it's just the connotations of specific words and phrasing, the glass half-full versus half-empty thing).

 

[xudo]

Definitely don't put anything about pay on there and I wouldn't mention that benefits are the reason you can only work certain hours.

 

[owlet]

I'd say don't include the hours you're looking for on your CV, but instead on a cover letter (which most jobs ask for these days). Just the addition of 'I would be available to work x hours per week' should be enough - and most places will let you know about hourly wages, so you can work out how many hours you could work for that salary.

 

[dragoncat16]

I'm not sure what you mean by a postcard, but that's something I would wait till the interview stage to reveal. Though, if you're restricted like that, you should probably just apply for positions specifying the hours you are able to work, or those that do not specify that full time work is required. Are you sure that you wouldn't do better financially to have a full-time job, though, even if you would have to give up some benefits? I don't really know the system in the UK (even though I'm in the UK right now), but wouldn't they prefer people to work rather than receive benefits?

 

[Mr Allen]

I'm not sure what you mean by a postcard, but that's something I would wait till the interview stage to reveal. Though, if you're restricted like that, you should probably just apply for positions specifying the hours you are able to work, or those that do not specify that full time work is required. Are you sure that you wouldn't do better financially to have a full-time job, though, even if you would have to give up some benefits? I don't really know the system in the UK (even though I'm in the UK right now), but wouldn't they prefer people to work rather than receive benefits?

Physically I can't work 40 hours a week.

I would get too tired and stuff.

Plus ig I came off benefits I would be forced to work said 40 hours a week to merely break even on a week's expenses.

Blame the government, not me.

 

[Judge]

Physically I can't work 40 hours a week.

I would get too tired and stuff.

Plus ig I came off benefits I would be forced to work said 40 hours a week to merely break even on a week's expenses.

Blame the government, not me.

Do you actually have any documentation from a physician citing that you cannot work 40 hours a week?

(No, it's not anything you'd want to show a prospective employer.)

 

[Mr Allen]

Do you actually have any documentation from a physician citing that you cannot work 40 hours a week?

(No, it's not anything you'd want to show a prospective employer.)

I had to be medically signed off as "unfit to work" to get ESA (Employment Support Allowance) in December 2015, so yes I do have medical evidence, however if I get this part time position I've just interviewed for, I will have to declare that, and it could possibly affect my claim.

I'll deal with that if and when the need arises, but knowing the incompetence of the Job Centre it will take them till Christmas to sort it all out.

 

[Judge]

I had to be medically signed off as "unfit to work" to get ESA (Employment Support Allowance) in December 2015, so yes I do have medical evidence, however if I get this part time position I've just interviewed for, I will have to declare that, and it could possibly affect my claim.

Wouldn't it make more sense to investigate this theoretically rather than be in a position where you must legally declare it after the fact?

In your particular case, are you absolutely certain under the law that you can work part time and still collect your benefits? I mean, the phrase "unfit for work" seems pretty definite, and may not be intended to have any latitude in terms of work hours relevant to your particular case as a recipient of government benefits.

I'd think you'd want to be absolutely certain of this now, and not assume anything in the event you did secure part time employment later.

 

[Mr Allen]

Wouldn't it make more sense to investigate this theoretically rather than be in a position where you must legally declare it after the fact?

In your particular case, are you absolutely certain under the law that you can work part time and still collect your benefits? I mean, the phrase "unfit for work" seems pretty definite, and may not be intended to have any latitude in terms of work hours relevant to your particular case as a recipient of government benefits.

I'd think you'd want to be absolutely certain of this now, and not assume anything in the event you did secure part time employment later.

I've had talks with Disability Advisers at the Job Centre, they keep saying I can earn £120 a week based on current UK minimum wage as long as I work ideally less than 16 hours per week.

That is what I have been told of the rules, in the likely event they're wrong, as IMO the clueless cretins in the Employment service don't know their own rules, I need to speak possibly to the CAB, I'll try and get an appointment soon.

So £120 a week, 52 weeks a year works out £6240 a year without benefit sanctions, not that bad.

 

[Judge]

I've had talks with Disability Advisers at the Job Centre, they keep saying I can earn £120 a week based on current UK minimum wage as long as I work ideally less than 16 hours per week.

That is what I have been told of the rules, in the likely event they're wrong, as IMO the clueless cretins in the Employment service don't know their own rules, I need to speak possibly to the CAB, I'll try and get an appointment soon.

So £120 a week, 52 weeks a year works out £6240 a year without benefit sanctions, not that bad.

Sounds good. Though if it were me, I'd want it in writing.

So in essence, you have no actual medical restrictions working part time hours.

 

[Katleya]

Stating it on the cover letter sounds good, but those aren't always read in their entirety.
I don't know about CVs, but I remember the career center when I was in college in the US had us write a very brief section with our goal, maybe that could be a place where you could add that you can work up to x hours.

Of course you will put off some employers by doing so; but you're also saving them time and not giving them false hopes; I'm sure a lot of the smaller companies that are looking for a full-time employee are looking for just that, and can't accomodate part time, because they still need full-time work done, so you might as well save them (and yourself) the trouble.

 

[xudo]

That is what I have been told of the rules, in the likely event they're wrong, as IMO the clueless cretins in the Employment service don't know their own rules, I need to speak possibly to the CAB, I'll try and get an appointment soon.

They. Are. Correct. It's on the gov.uk website.

However, I do not know what effect also being declared unfit for work would have. This is the main part that you need advise about. I am declared unfit for work, but I do not receive ESA or PIP. The only thing that I "gain" from being unfit for work, is I am not forced to claim JSA or actively look for work, and National Insurance credits are being accrued, so that I will still get a state pension.

 

[NothingToSeeHere]

Put in your covering letter that you are looking for part time work. Do not mention anything about maximum pay or benefits, they'll think you're trying to scam the system.

I'm also a bit unsure about the statement of being 'declared unfit for work', surely the fact that you are looking for work clearly disproves the statement? If your receiving ESA is based on that declaration, have you checked that working won't void the validity of the declaration?