Experience of More Frequent Attendance at Job Centre?

Swanseajack

Good Morning

I signed on as usual at my JC this week, and even though I had a 6 month interview a fortnight ago, which was very in depth, they told me I had been 'randomly' selected to undergo the MFA process (I think this stands for something like 'more frequent attendance').

So, now I have to go to the JC every week and go through the jobs they want me to apply for. Does anybody have any experience of this? Is it really random? They told me that they can't over-ride it, and even though they know I am doing all I can to find work, I still need to go through the process for 6 weeks and apply for the jobs they give me.

As an example, they have given me a data entry clerk job (I can't type) at £12,000 that I MUST apply for - not wishing to sound pompous but I was made redundant from a Director role and had a secretary who handled all my admin. They have also given me a job to apply for as a car salesman! I really don't know how to go about these applications. I am 60 and my CV obviously states my experience. I can't think what to put in the covering letters, any ideas? JC told me that I can't be obstructive and say I have been made to apply for this job, I have to show JC the application letters next week which must demonstrate a 'realistic attempt to procure the position and obtain an interview'. It will presumably be obvious to any prospective employer that I am overqualified for these roles, not least that I can't even literally do them, well, not the data entry anyway.

I know I'm a bit old fashioned and I've never been out of work in my life before now, but this seems ridiculous to me, a complete waste of my time when I could be applying for jobs that I have at least maybe got half a chance of getting. Since June I have applied for over 250 jobs to which my job log attests.

I'm really depressed about this, any help or advice on this would be most appreciated, thank you. Jack

SHIPSHAPE

Well, it's your good fortune that you will be recieving extra help and resources in your job hunting, excellent news.

I have my own business and if I had an opening for somebody of your experience and skills you would be top of my list.

Good wishes for the future.

krisskross

Are you 60+ enough to consider pension credit instead of JSA. Nothing to stop you still looking for work if you want it.

AdaptiveSequence

Don't worry about it. All you do is sign on weekly, but you will still be paid fortnightly. I had to do it for four weeks and then back onto fortnightly signing.

Swanseajack

Thanks for the responses, well, the positive ones anyway. I scarcely think I need an 'extra nudge' after 272 job applications. I attend a very small, rural JC and know the staff very well. Conversely, they know me very well, and are fully versed with my job log record and the fact that I am working my sox off to secure employment in order to support my family. I have attended everything and more that has been suggested to me by the JC. I have instigated networking sessions at the JC for like minded people and I am currently doing voluntary work. My post was really after some advice as to how to complete these enforced applications. (I am not quite 60, not for another three months so guess the Pension Credits won't currently help me, thanks for the suggestion though).

Caz3121

My husband is going through this currently - first weekly date is on Friday..he was a senior IT manager has been applying for both contract and permanent jobs including jobs away from home and they want him to add admin and call centre jobs to his search (they have previously been unable to find 1 job for him to apply but he is signed up with a number of agencies and probably applies for around 30-50 a week) He receives no JSA so signs on for cont stamp only desperately wants back into work (was ill last year and in hospital on 3 occasions so was originally on ESA) Have been keeping his motivation up on something good coming along but think this is going to be detrimental.
I am fully supportive of people being made to work to save the country purse but think he is likely to be forced to sign off, forego the stamp credit and carry on doing his own thing which is going to help their statistics

Swanseajack

I couldn't agree more. I wish your husband the very best of luck. It is completely soul destroying when you are desperate to work but the doors are continually slammed in your face. It is pretty galling when you see some of the oiks that come and sign on who clearly have no intention of finding work. When I was there yesterday my advisor saw me early as one of her claimants was a no show. She told me it was the third time and she was signing him off. If that had been me, just one no show and I bet I know what would have happened to my claim, grrr. Most of the guys from my local JC come out of the building and go in the village pub next door!!! They obviously have more than the £43 I have left after bills to feed and clothe my family and run a car, it's a mad mad world. Am looking to go s/e route, off to CAB and Biz Link for advice next week. Keep your spirits up, I hope something comes along soon. All the best, Jack

Jowo_2

There's an employment seeking forum on MSE that may have posters on it with experience of this type of things and strategies for how you can push back on inappropriate jobs without being sanctioned.

Mupette

tcr wrote: »

You weren't chosen randomly. People end up on MFA because they need "an extra nudge" back into employment. And that means you might have to lower your sights and shovel s**t like the rest of us.

Really is there any need to be so rude, not just this post, others too.

If you can't do that why bother posting if all you are going to do is flame and get people's backs up, not every person on here is a troll/out to fiddle the system.

The bold text wasn't needed.



OP do apply for these jobs, ok so you might not get them, but it is proof that you are doing what is expected of you.

And seeing as your are still applying for jobs that you are capable of too then all is good, yes it is disheartning, but at least you can say and prove you are doing what they want.

Make sure you keep copies of these letters, they have a habit of going missing ifyswim.

Swanseajack

Good evening

Thank you to Mupette and Jowo for your very helpful posts, good to hear from you. Yes, I don't understand why certain people feel the need to post bigoted, rude, and unnecessary comments. Actually, my wife is a trained criminal psychologist so I probably do understand but I can't print the reasons here. They would do well to adhere to Martin Lewis' request when he advocates: 'Please be nice to all posters...courtesy helps". TCR, for one, kindly take note. I too have read some of your other postings and am really quite disgusted with the content. I also tried - and succeeded - to give up smoking, so please don't use that as an excuse for your ignorance.

Good luck to all the nice, genuine people on this great site, have a good weekend. Jack in sunny Swansea

OldBear

Jack, are you getting any money from your signing, or are you just signing for Credits?

I ask because, given your age and the fact you have probably worked all your days, you may have already paid all the credits you need for your pension. If this is the case, you don't need to sign on, (unless, of course, there are other benefits involved, e.g. Council Tax, Housing Benefit, Mortgage Payment Protection, etc), thus avoiding the grief from the JC.