35 hours a week for Jobsearch, not possible?

sensibleadvice

donnajunkie wrote: »

the poster said those who dont get a job very quickly are workshy. so that is all without exception.

Depends on what you mean by quickly. 6 months should sort most, 12 max. Beyond that suggests problems with the claimant, either with attitude, skills, technique or a combination.

sensibleadvice

AP007 wrote: »

donnajunkie - applications that have the requirement for filling in a form have a close date so I set a reminder on my Outlook and work to complete the form a few days before the close date.

On most applications form there are many specific questions where you have to give examples etc so I set aside some time in the evening to work on one question at a time. This frees up time and plenty of time to apply for the ones where you just need a CV and a tailor made cover letter.

I have really no cut off time in the day when I stop my job searching. I do research and reading up on current industry news at night time and send some spec letters then too.

Sounds fair enough. Have you had problems with JC accepting you're doing enough?

AP007

sensibleadvice wrote: »

Sounds fair enough. Have you had problems with JC accepting you're doing enough?

LOL not at all. In fact many times they tell me 'you are writing too much down', 'I don't have time to look at all of this so I will skim over it' etc

I take no notice and write down everything I apply for and a separate list for spec letters and companies I have contacted.

donnajunkie

goonarmy wrote: »

JSA isnt a living cost its an allowance for job seekers(funny enough). Wages pay the bills hence driving people into work. Rightly so. When I signed on I couldnt afford to remain on it. So I spent many hours(more than 35) looking for work.

what are you saying? that it is to be spent solely on jobseeking?

donnajunkie

AP007 wrote: »

JSA is an amount to live on for active job seekers.

what you need to remember is it is very convenient for the bashers that it is called jobseekers allowance when effectively it is unemployment benefit as it was actually once called.

AP007

donnajunkie wrote: »

what are you saying? that it is to be spent solely on jobseeking?

then what do you live on? Its a living allowance as we all know.

AP007

donnajunkie wrote: »

what you need to remember is it is very convenient for the bashers that it is called jobseekers allowance when effectively it is unemployment benefit as it was actually once called.

the name don't matter its the same thing

donnajunkie

sensibleadvice wrote: »

With long application forms or tailored CV's etc you may only get one or two done some days but others may be more because it may include speculative applications, updates on research and follow up on previous leads. On balance it's not that difficult to reach 20 applications per week which is likely more than the expected level anyway. Of course if JSA staff see a record showing years of lip service apathetic efforts they will take a view that more evidence is necessary. TBH, you sound like an expert in doing the bare minimum to keep taking benefits which is no doubt why you find it difficult to convince JC you're doing enough.

20 would be do-able in the time. however it wont be an acceptable amount according to the jc. it would currently be acceptable but that is on the basis of doing a few hours per day and not jobseeking all day. they would also not accept any days good enough that only had 2 applications done like you agree would be acceptable.
i dont have any problems convincing them i do enough.

donnajunkie

sensibleadvice wrote: »

Put the time in, make the effort and any targets will take care of themselves.

you could be putting plenty of time and effort in but if you dont have your eye on the targets then you could still get sanctioned. for example what if you have only phoned 5 agencies and your agreement requires 6? its sanction time no matter how much effort you have put in that week.

donnajunkie

AP007 wrote: »

the name don't matter its the same thing

it being called jobseekers allowance seems to give certain people licence to say its a payment for jobseeking and it exists to pay for jobseeking only.