Hello all,
I want to take a stab at being self-employed--and if that doesn't work, I'm going to change careers entirely, I think. (I teach English--ahem).
What I want to know is: has anyone found the Pole Emploi to have helpful info/ services when you're trying to start a business or trying to find a job. I'm thinking I might be wasting my valuable energy and free time with them when I should be doing other things like looking for clients or attacking that mountain of paperwork before me. Or even looking into training to find an entirely different career.
First off, I don't *think* I qualify for any kind of unemployment funds as I'm working now, although one person I got on the phone said I'd maybe qualify because I'm constantly on CDD contracts, and I've had one end recently. . .
I'm wanting to go into business for myself and have noticed that Pole Emploi offer some (limitted) financial help for 'demandeurs d'emploi' and also some workshop-ish type services etc for deciding if you want to be an AE for example. Perhaps that could be useful, but I'm warry. I've had too many 'sessions' with Pole Emploi/ URSAAF workers who are supposed to know how to advise me and in fact they know nothing more than is in the brochure. . .which is available online--hence, I'm better off looking through the info alone. . .or maybe getting a job at URSAAF ;)
In addition, I'm having trouble signing up at Pole Emploi. . .since they will only allow you to take the next appointment that is available no matter when it is--I know it's not the actual fault of the person on the phone, but wonder if they know how assenine that is?
I'm starting to feel grouchy about all of this. Has anyone ever found the Pole Emploi to be of use or is it just more paperwork and running around for nothing?