This guide is here to help you with services provided by JobCentre Plus, These include things such as online job searching, CV preparation and interview techniques.
When searching for a job, it’s best to consider all options and make use of available resources.
That’s where Jobcentre Plus comes in.
Jobcentre Plus, better known as ‘the jobcentre’, is an employment agency with offices all over the country providing job search advice, personalised coaching and lists of current vacancies. The service is open to anyone, it’s completely free and it also offers financial support depending on your eligibility.
Read on to learn how to find a job with Jobcentre Plus.
Jobcentre Plus how can it help me?
Jobcentre Plus is a government-funded employment agency overseen by the Department of Work and Pensions. Its purpose is to help people find work through services such as job hunting programmes and external job vacancies, while it also provides financial support to eligible job hunters.
To make the most of these services, you can find your local Jobcentre Plus building here. You can ring centres or visit them directly, and staff will be happy to discuss anything from job hunting advice to financial support programmes.
Although local Jobcentre Plus’ don’t have individual websites, Jobcentre Plus and all other government agencies are covered at Gov.co.uk should you wish to find out more information. It’s also worth following your local Jobcentre Plus venues on Twitter and Facebook for updates about job vacancies, job search classes and job fairs, among other services.
The good news is there are many ways Jobcentre Plus can help you. Take a look below for an overview of its tools for job search success.
Drop-in facilities
As mentioned, Jobcentre Plus is open to the public and there are no prerequisites to use these services. You can visit Jobcentre Plus to speak to an advisor about assistance with your job search or an update on current vacancies. Keep in mind you can arrange an appointment at your convenience or simply drop by when you get a chance. Job hunters can also visit Jobcentre Plus to use free computer access and wi-fi to apply for positions.
Universal Jobmatch
Did you know Jobcentre Plus also has its own job board, Universal Jobmatch? A job board is an online platform, like CV-Library, which job hunters can use to browse and apply for jobs.
To register with Universal Jobmatch, you’ll need to create a profile and add your CV, contact details, desired role and skills – although you can search for jobs without signing up to the platform.
Job matches are a particularly nifty feature of Universal Jobsmatch’s and are very similar to CV-Library’s Job Alerts. These alerts come through when a recruiter posts a job which matches your profile, saving you plenty of time in your job search.
Taking advantage of the skills section on your profile is another way to get ahead through Universal Jobmatch. You can post up to ten skills on your profile, going further to ensure you get the best job matches.
Although Universal Jobmatch is a handy tool for your job hunt, it only features roles from external recruiters and doesn’t list vacancies from other job boards. As such, remember to upload your CV to other job boards like CV-Library, too.
Once you’ve been through your job matches and applied for roles, just remember to keep your phone close by so you don’t miss any follow-ups from recruiters!
Job fairs
Another perk of Jobcentre Plus is its job fairs. A job fair is an event in which job hunters can meet employers, hand over their CVs and enquire about future positions. These events are wildly popular with recruitment agencies and companies of all sizes, and they take place in large venues such as halls, theatres or shopping centres.
What’s more, job fairs also help job hunters boost networking and communication skills – essential traits for any industry. You never know, striking up a conversation with an employer at a job fair could be the key to unlocking your next role.
Discover the latest job fairs near you via your local Jobcentre Plus or check out its social media feeds.
Job hunting courses
Jobcentre Plus can also help you get ahead with its job hunting classes which teach job hunters about writing a CV and how and where to apply for jobs.
These classes, which are free and open to the public, take place all over the country and are advertised in Jobcentre Plus venues and on social media feeds.
What financial benefits can Jobcentre Plus offer me?
By now, you should have an idea of what’s on offer. Additionally, many job hunters may be eligible to receive financial support from Jobcentre Plus.
Although there are plenty of stipulations you must abide by when receiving financial support, there are a wealth of schemes on offer, so read on to find out more.
What is Jobseeker’s Allowance?
One of the most widely known benefit schemes which Jobcentre Plus offers is Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
With this scheme, job hunters can receive financial support while job searching and pick up advice and guidance from a work coach throughout their hunt.
You’ll need to meet a set of requirements to claim JSA, such as being at least 18-years-old and actively seeking a role.
