35 hours a week for Jobsearch, not possible?

donnajunkie

AP007 wrote: »

No it means 40 hours looking for work, like networking, sourcing company websites, joining them for job alerts, spec letters and CV's to such companies, searching as many websites as you can and then apply for as many jobs as you can in that time too.

yes i know but unless you are really good at filling the time you will end up doing as i said to some degree at least.

donnajunkie

sniggings wrote: »

I think it is wrong that they set a number to apply for, when it's out of your control if there are 10 suitable jobs a week to apply for, you could get sanctioned for no fault of your own.

this is why it is best to just ensure you apply for the amount required. they dont read the description so if it appears suitable based on the job title then still apply.

donnajunkie

Denning. wrote: »

Do people actually not apply for roles just because they don't meet all the requirements? Like for real?

so you think its worth applying for a job that says driving licence essential when you dont have one? an employer is only going to be flexible on its requirements if its struggling to get applications. however people should still apply but only if they need to to reach the target for that week.

donnajunkie

sensibleadvice wrote: »

Many employers would consider applicants who don't meet the full criteria if they demonstrate other qualities such as having initiative, determination, good work ethic etc. In some circumstances such qualities may outweigh essential criteria.

would someone who meets the criteria not have those qualities?

donnajunkie

stix62 wrote: »

'Those who don't want work will always find excuses and blame the system.'
I can't argue with that, there will always be people happy to live on benefits all their life but, 'the system', isn't helping genuine jobseekers either. It is designed to be punitive. The government are fiddling the figures and trying to be seen as doing something.

what the poster was saying in their post was that all without exception that struggle to find work arent really struggling to find work, they are just workshy.

sniggings

DKLS wrote: »

As far as I understand its one of the hoops to jump through in order to still get JSA, and is it that bad to give a job seeking target?, after all there are many targets to be met in the workplace.


Is it that hard to find and apply for 10 jobs a week, I managed to apply for 4 jobs in the time it took me to have a dump this morning.

a "target" implies you can miss it, it's not a target its a command, if you miss hitting it you get your JSA stopped for a month.

To compare having your benefit stopped for no fault of your own and a works target are not the same, if you fail to meet a jobs target the first time you are very unlikey to be sacked or have your full pay stopped for a month.

goonarmy

donnajunkie wrote: »

firstly its quality not quantity that should matter, you must work for dwp if you think otherwise. secondly no-one is criticising someone if they want to spend that much time doing it. its there being a rule requiring it. it is obviously there to make it easier to sanction. alot of jobseeking activities cost money. doing them for 35 hours will be more costly. who is going to cover the extra cost? you?

Yes tax payers pay for it, thats correct.

sensibleadvice

stix62 wrote: »

Yes, and for some it is, for some it isn't. Those for whom it is and those who think they know what's best despite not being in this situation need to drop the narcissistic attitude and stop trying to find fault with others. Because some people can't comply with their JSAg, for whatever reason, doesn't mean they're not determined to find work.

'Those who don't want work will always find excuses and blame the system.'
I can't argue with that, there will always be people happy to live on benefits all their life but, 'the system', isn't helping genuine jobseekers either. It is designed to be punitive. The government are fiddling the figures and trying to be seen as doing something.

'Contrary to what some may say you've also shown it pays to work.'
Of course it does, not just for the monetary reasons but also for your state of mind. It is good to have that 'routine' and feeling of job satisfaction in whatever form it may take. I got a lot of job satisfaction just by being out of 'the system'. What an amazing feeling not having to put up with all that nonsense for a while.(work program included)

If some people can't comply with their JSA they shouldn't agree to it in the first place or should have it revised if things change. Of course they'll probably say theres not enough jobs etc yet fail to mention any reasons or context as to why certain conditions may have been necessary. Request some search for a few jobs per week for JSA they'll happily give it lip service. Request a more robust plan that involves commitment and the excuses come.

It may well be punitive to those who don't want work and make excuses but that's probably the only thing that would motivate them into doing anything.

Totally agree with last para. Job satisfaction and pride good examples of non monetary reasons to work as anyone with work ethic would confirm.

sensibleadvice

donnajunkie wrote: »

firstly its quality not quantity that should matter, you must work for dwp if you think otherwise. secondly no-one is criticising someone if they want to spend that much time doing it. its there being a rule requiring it. it is obviously there to make it easier to sanction. alot of jobseeking activities cost money. doing them for 35 hours will be more costly. who is going to cover the extra cost? you?

Exactly, quality applications take time. Cut, paste and standard attachments are hardly an effort.

If long term claimants have had no success it seems quite reasonable to have them quantify what they're doing to find work. If that means x job applications and hours per week so be it.

It's amazing how some people can't cover the extra costs of applications yet manage very well to have the latest console, games, other tech equipment, upgrades etc and the time to use them so much. Get their priorities right they wouldn't need to expect others to pay the cost of their applications, that's what JSA is for.

sensibleadvice

donnajunkie wrote: »

so you think its worth applying for a job that says driving licence essential when you dont have one? an employer is only going to be flexible on its requirements if its struggling to get applications. however people should still apply but only if they need to to reach the target for that week.

Reason enough to apply and you'd be surprised how often this happens.

The last part sounds like long termer fleecing the system, just doing enough rather than job seeking.