Job-search activities must be reasonable steps towards employment

As part of completing Report Job Search, clients must do at least 3 job-search activities each week for 4 weeks. Clients also need to report to MSD on all of the job-search activities they complete each week (minimum of 3 per week).

To meet the requirements of Report Job Search, MSD must consider that the client's job-search activities are reasonable steps towards them finding suitable employment.

Factors MSD should consider when determining whether a job-search activity is a reasonable step include (but are not limited to):

• the client's current skills, experience, and employment history
• if the client already has an appropriate CV and cover letter
• if the client has already completed skills-based courses (such as, first aid or barista courses)
• the work-readiness of the client (e.g. work-appropriate clothing, caring responsibilities, access to transport)

Note client's individual circumstances will determine what is considered a reasonable step for them. Each activity should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Examples of job-search activities that are considered reasonable steps could include (but are not limited to) a client:

• writing different cover letters that focus on the skills for specific job applications
• updating their CV
• attending a CV writing workshop to improve their chances of finding employment
• checking MyMSD for suitable jobs in their area
• calling Job Connect for more details about a specific role
• checking an employment site for suitable roles (e.g. Trade Me, Seek, Indeed)
• visiting local suitable businesses to submit CVs or check for any openings
• attending a skills-based course to improve their chances of securing a suitable role
• taking steps to get suitable clothing for a job interview
• expanding the range of roles they are looking for beyond their employment history
• applying for suitable roles (including if the application is unsuccessful or they don't hear anything back)
• attending an interview (including where the interview is unsuccessful)
• registering with a recruitment agency or career advice service

Note clients are only expected to provide evidence of their job-search activity where it is reasonable for them to get it in their circumstances.

Lizzy has told their case manager that they have not updated their CV with their recent employment history. They also noted that they would like to gain employment in the hospitality industry, but they do not have the skills to support this.

Lizzy then fails a work obligation and their case manager determines that Report Job Search would be the most appropriate non-financial sanction for them. Lizzy's 4-week sanction period comes to an end, and they have a meeting with their case manager to provide evidence and determine whether their job-search activities were reasonable steps towards them finding suitable employment.

The case manager can see that for each of the 4 weeks Lizzy has been updating their CV, attending a barista course, applying for jobs, and had an interview. Lizzy has reported on more than 3 suitable job-search activities per week over the 4-week period.

Their case manager determines that based on their individual circumstances, the job-search activities Lizzy has undertaken are reasonable steps as they align with their skills and experience, developing their capability and help them towards finding suitable employment. As Lizzy has completed the requirements of their sanction, they are considered to have recomplied.

If MSD determines a client's reported job-search activities are not reasonable steps to find suitable employment, they are considered non-compliant.

MSD may backdate non-compliance to the start of the week that the client failed to meet the requirements of Report Job Search. This may result in a debt for the client.

During the appointment, clients will have an opportunity to give a good and sufficient reason why they considered their job-search activity to be a reasonable step.

Examples of job-search activities that are not considered reasonable steps to finding suitable employment could include (but are not limited to), where the client:

• only looked online for jobs, even though they could have used a variety of methods to look for work
• applied for jobs where it was unreasonable for them to be hired (e.g., applied to be a doctor with no medical training, or applied to be a bus driver with no licence)
• recorded the same job-search activity multiple times where this would be considered unreasonable (e.g., updated their CV three times each week, or contacted the same employer multiple times each week)

Tim has failed a work obligation and his case manager determines that Report Job Search would be the most appropriate sanction for him.

Tim was previously working in an IT job and agrees he will focus on job-search activities that are steps towards being more employable in both IT and wider jobs.

Tim's 4-week sanction period comes to an end, and he has a meeting with his case manager to determine whether his job search activities are considered reasonable steps towards finding suitable employment.

The case manager can see that for each of the four-weeks Tim has updated his CV, attended an IT skills course, and has been applying for a wide range of jobs.

Tim has reported three job-search activities per week, however his case manager determines one of the job-search activities he has undertaken is not a reasonable step to finding suitable employment. This is because he was attending IT courses he had already completed/has the skills to do. As Tim has not completed the requirements of his sanction, he is considered to be non-compliant.