Universal Job Match at http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk

November5th

When I was unemployed last year I was given a scam job, and I had to go to a lot of effort to prove it. In all fairness my advisor stopped giving me those sorts of jobs, but I was lucky and he was a really good guy.
But if the DWP are determined on automation and cutting staff I think a flag will go up and it will be shoot first, ask questions later, apply sanction and cut off benefit.

Another thing I wondered - is after a sanction you apply for hardship benefits, does this take you off the unemployed stats?
Could it be a means of reducing benefits by half? Bringing in a new system as benefits as loans to be paid back on employment?
I think if I was given the choice of them leaving me alone to job hunt if I paid back the money I might take it, even though I have paid in 2 decades of NI.
The JC really broke my spirit last time around and I was out of work much longer than I should have been as a result.
Now things are better some of those days look as dark as they were.

As ever, to all jobseekers, positivity and good luck to you. Unemployed is a word, not a dirty word.

MissSarah1972

kimmy393 wrote: »

OK I just applied for 10 jobs on their. However only 5 are saved in my jobs applied as they are done through the site. The other 5 I had to email the employers direct. So I marked these as already applied for however the dont save in my accont application history so it only looks like I have applied for 5 jobs, They should make it that you can also save these jobs in your applied history on you job record.

So how do you prove you have applied for these other ones?

Gaz1971

I think you add them to the notes, along with searches in newspapers etc. Click on messages and on the right is a box to type a note that is saved in your activity history.

November5th

Talking about scammers (and protecting yourself) my partner had an interesting thought. As it is so very easy to register as an employer on that site, register as an employer and post jobs for yourself to apply to.

Then you can get on with the real jobhunt.

Gaz1971

November5th wrote: »

Talking about scammers (and protecting yourself) my partner had an interesting thought. As it is so very easy to register as an employer on that site, register as an employer and post jobs for yourself to apply to.

Then you can get on with the real jobhunt.

I dare say they would spot the IP address of the 'employer' being the same as your own and they would have you shot at dawn by the gestapo.

November5th

Gaz1971 wrote: »

I dare say they would spot the IP address of the 'employer' being the same as your own and they would have you shot at dawn by the gestapo.

Actually just for posting that brainfart I am expecting a knock on the door

Use the library or some free wifi for posting, that will sort the IP issue.
Any old postcode - they clearly are not (and never have) checked.

I mean, who is going to sit there and weed the crap out? They have not up til now.

MissSarah1972

November5th wrote: »

Actually just for posting that brainfart I am expecting a knock on the door

Use the library or some free wifi for posting, that will sort the IP issue.
Any old postcode - they clearly are not (and never have) checked.

I mean, who is going to sit there and weed the crap out? They have not up til now.

It is true that adverts are not checked and I think they should not allow 'unknown' companies advertise as well as ones with hotmail or gmail email address as if they were real they would have a real email address to match the company website etc.

November5th

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

It is true that adverts are not checked and I think they should not allow 'unknown' companies advertise as well as ones with hotmail or gmail email address as if they were real they would have a real email address to match the company website etc.

Exactly. There is such a cruelty to it - you are desperate for work - and your own government forces you into a highly insecure situation on the threat of removal of your means to eat and have shelter. You get an interview, great! But who on earth are you meeting? You are a bit suspect that it's not at an office, but you really need the work...

I don't think I am being extreme here, just logical.

Gaz1971

And to think, they clamp down on the poor unemployed on 70 quid a week while Sir Philip Green dodges paying 250m a year in tax

kimmy393

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

So how do you prove you have applied for these other ones?

I have just written the email addys down on my job search booklet along with the reference numbers and they will prob just take my word. Why would they question. If they do then I guess they can contact those employers. But I doubt that. They can see I am using the sytem daily so am sure they will have no need to question my account.