Universal Job Match - What A Farce!!

idealmelody

Drogonfire1979 wrote: »

I've registered and using the site to find jobs but what concerns me is the error that it isn't keeping a record of my applications and so I'm having to type in a note everytime so that I can prove I'm looking for work as this is how the DWP will monitor jobsearch activity.
To me the site has been botched together and just made live without any preview test drives.

Hi, I've had the same problem which I posted about previously, however two of the jobs I applied for today via the Universal Jobmatch website were actually recorded on the system. I think this anomaly may be down to the method employed in listing the job application onto the website in the first place. Either that or the website is still experiencing minor problems with it still being in its infancy.

High_Voltage_2

I use UJ and it is at the moment an issue with people getting use to it and yes it has teething issues like everything. That's why it gives you the e-mail address to e-mail the help desk if your having issues [EMAIL="universal.jobmatchgg@dwp.gsi.gov.uk"]universal.jobmatchgg@dwp.gsi.gov.uk[/EMAIL] I can assure all it is not mandatory.

As for people who are worried about sanctions, the system is far to new to warrant a sanction. I would keep all relevant Job apps as before even if I when using the site as there is nothing like hard evidence (proof) of your jobseeking exploits.

One more thing always read your agreement and the letters you get regarding benefits. The JSA you get is and I quote (The amount of money the government says you need to LIVE on). Therefore that means food heating lighting basic needs. The phrase LIVE on does not indicate spending any part of this money travelling looking for work. Request an expenses form to claim it back you will need PROOF ofcourse.......

AP007

High_Voltage wrote: »

I

One more thing always read your agreement and the letters you get regarding benefits. The JSA you get is and I quote (The amount of money the government says you need to LIVE on). Therefore that means food heating lighting basic needs. The phrase LIVE on does not indicate spending any part of this money travelling looking for work. Request an expenses form to claim it back you will need PROOF ofcourse.......

Yes I always say this to people - it's the amount the Gov say you need to live on, not to look for a job with.

Doc_Marshall

I registered on the Universal Jobsearch page a few hours ago on the DirectGov website and low and behold I can't log in. I try but when I submit my details I am returned back to the log in page.
The old website was easier to navigate round. So why fix what wasn't broken??
Another waste of money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

debrag

TrickyWicky wrote: »

Now you can't even do that and all the jobs I've looked at don't even have a phone number now. Seriously, what is the point of making it harder for people to use when they claim they're trying to get the economy going again?

You apply online don't you?

Buellguy

debrag wrote: »

You apply online don't you?

Sometimes - others its new same as old, e-mail address to e-mail CV off or phone number to call. Think I've applied for about half a dozen jobs on there since it came in and only one is actually shown as applied for.

Bob_The_Terrible

Doc_Marshall wrote: »

I registered on the Universal Jobsearch page a few hours ago on the DirectGov website and low and behold I can't log in. I try but when I submit my details I am returned back to the log in page.
The old website was easier to navigate round. So why fix what wasn't broken??
Another waste of money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

Tell your browser to accept all cookies. This worked for me.

homeriscool

donnajunkie wrote: »

the strategy to adopt is simple. dont do searches. just apply for everything it matches you to without exception. if by some miracle you get a response from any of the obviously unsuitable jobs just explain to them whatever the issue may be, too far, not qualified etc and that you have to apply for everything that is matched to you. then suggest not advertising with the jobcentre anymore if they are not happy with their time being wasted. one thing is for sure if employers think they get alot of time wasters applying now they have seen nothing yet.

Damn right - this is going to lead to mass amounts of spam to potential employers. This system is going to fail without a doubt but it will see a lot of people in food banks and poverty first.....:(

krok

You can still register with the universal jobmatch but keep your personal details to yourself. Do not tick that box giving DWP the right to snoop.
Take this with you next time you sign on.
I am not legally trained but if you think this is useful use it and post it to any relevant site or blog. It might give others ideas for improving it:


Dear Sir or Madam,

I am trying to find a job. I search for jobs. I apply for any for which I am qualified. I even apply for some for which I am not qualified but which I believe I could do. I do not need to register on the Universal Jobmatch site.

You must be aware that the internet is used by malicious and mischievous people who try to trick others into giving up valuable personal information which can be used for criminal purposes.

The first Principle of the Data Protection Act, 1998, gives me the legal right to withhold personal information. I do not give my consent for my personal information to be given to commercial organisations which I choose not to give it to. It is not necessary for me to give away this right for the purposes of searching for a job. This is particularly important in offering protection against my personal information being used by criminals.

Monster Jobs has been hacked into before and will be hacked into again.

Government sites have been hacked into before and will be hacked into again.

Information held by the Government, and supposedly kept secure, has been lost and made public - and will be again.

I have no faith in the ability of Monster Jobs or in the Government to keep my personal information safe.

There is an admittance on the Universal Jobmatch site that the security of personal information cannot be guaranteed.

There is no guarantee that personal information cannot be transferred to any country in the world, which is against the Eighth Principle of the Data Protection Act, 1998.

My rights to the privacy of my personal information are also guaranteed under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Anyone registering with the Universal Jobmatch site could be open to exploitation by unscrupulous and fake employers. To get a job, one needs to give the potential employer their name, address, date of birth, NI number and bank details. Job seekers will be forced to hand over this information to anyone who claims to be an employer and who claims to be offering a job to the job seeker. We have already seen bogus job advertisements, including one supposedly for MI6 and another one with a Thailand email address which was a clear attempt at identity theft, and which were not intercepted before appearing on the Universal Jobmatch site. The administrators of that site are clearly incapable of running it correctly and there is no guarantee that matters will improve: every Government-sponsored computerised system has been found to be faulty, and this one follows that pattern.

Job seekers are asked to make their personal information public but the Government will not and cannot offer any protection for it nor does it offer any compensation for the job seekers whose information will be used for criminal purposes.

Because of everything alluded to above I most strongly object to being forced to register with Universal Jobmatch. It is an infringement of my rights under the Data Protection Act, 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights, and will not enhance my ability to find a job. It will leave me vulnerable to criminal activity and could put me in danger in ways that are yet to be determined.

I would only register with the Universal Jobmatch site if I receive a signed letter from a member of the Job Centre or the Department for Work and Pensions which acknowledges my objections and which states that I am being forced or compelled to register on the Universal Jobmatch site under the threat of sanctions.

The letter must contain a complete copy of this letter and must allude to it. It must also agree that I will be entitled to compensation if my personal details are used for criminal purposes or in some way that harms me, my reputation or my prospects.

If I do not receive that letter it will be obvious that there is no legality in the compulsory registration on the Universal Jobmatch site.

If I receive that letter, it will be tacit agreement that the one signing it, or the organisation they represent, will be liable for the payment or provision of any compensation or any other form of redress obtained by me, or by others on my behalf, for the forced loss of my rights under the Data Protection Act, 1998 and/or under the European Convention on Human Rights, or for any loss or inconvenience caused by criminal or mischievous activity because of my personal details being on the Universal Jobmatch site.

I repeat that I am trying to find work, I search in various ways and places and I do not need to register on the Universal Jobmatch site but would do so under protest (and maintaining my rights) if given the guarantees I have asked for in this letter and the acknowledgement that I was being coerced by threat of sanctions.

Yours faithfully,

Firetastic

Sorry for hijacking this thread but has anyone else had this problem? On the old website there used to be something like 7 pages worth of jobs in my area. Now I'm lucky if I can find 4 in my area.

It was the same when this new Universal Job Search started. All the jobs that had been on the old website previously were no longer there. Surely common sense dictates that you transfer the jobs from the old website to the new one???