POSSIBILITIES
Snt—Mr. Graham Watson's article dealing with The A.O.S. (The Spec- tator, September 13th) interested me, as I fiave recently been demobilised and passed through the Tavistock Square Headquarters of the A.O.S. in search of a job. The idea is good, and there are obviously great possibilities in the scheme, but like "Ex-Service " writing in your issue of September zoth I was not impressed by- the organisation as I saw it. In April of this year I went to A.O.S. and asked for an interview with the aim of fording a job to commence as soon as possible after my demobilisation on June 3rd. I was informed that no .interviews were granted until after demobilisation was completed. In my case this rule meant seven weeks wasted, as the Air Ministry'had granted me leave until my demobilisation. In June I was interviewed and recommended for a post. In September I was informed by a proforma that I had not been selected. Three weeks later came another proforma suggesting another vacancy. I fail completely to associate typed proformae with the personal touch quoted by Mr. Watson.
Fortunately I had heard of the Officers' Association Employment Bureau run by the British Legion, and it was they who, within two days of my interview, secured me a further interview with my prospective employer which was quite successful. The interviewing staff of the Officers' Association engendered a feeling of confidence, and were most courteous and helpful, unlike that of the A.O.S., who gave me the impression that nine years' service in the'General Duties Branch of the Royal Air Force, plus qualifying at the Staff College, was a handicap rather than an asset when looking for a 'lob. Finally I found that the interviewing officers at the A.O.S. tended to regard applicants as possible vacancy reference numbers only, whilst the Association took a real and sincere personal interest in finding the best possible employment to suit the applicant.—Yours faithfully,
G. P. WILDISH.
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