Updated 5 March 2013
Universal Jobmatch
Universal Jobmatch is the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) online service which is radically changing the way people look for and apply to jobs. It’s one of the biggest changes to the labour market in 27 years.
Universal Jobmatch is open to all jobseekers, regardless of whether or not they are claiming a benefit.
The service will make it quicker and easier for jobseekers to find a suitable job and for companies to find the most suitable candidates. DWP does not charge for this service. More than 2 million people looking for work have already registered and set up an account and over 550 million job searches have been undertaken.
It works by matching jobseekers to jobs based on their skills and CV. Matching skills to jobs also allows jobseekers who might be unable to find jobs in their chosen profession, see what alternatives might be available in their local area.
Universal Jobmatch is a valuable tool for helping jobseekers find work. We expect the majority of claimants who are genuinely looking for work will want to willingly use the service themselves.
Where this is not the case and where appropriate, we may require some Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) claimants to create a profile and a public CV in Universal Jobmatch.
JSA claimants must do all that can be reasonably expected of them to find work and must apply for any jobs that an adviser deems suitable.
Universal Jobmatch will provide access to a wide range of vacancies, so using the service will be an important part of actively seeking work.
If after the Jobcentre Plus adviser has explained the benefits of the service to them, the claimant still refuses to use Universal Jobmatch, the adviser may then consider whether it is reasonable to issue a ‘Jobseeker’s Direction’ to mandate them to create a profile and upload a public CV on Universal Jobmatch.
Before issuing a Jobseeker’s Direction the adviser will take a claimant’s individual circumstances into account, including whether they have access to the internet or not.
Jobseeker’s Directions require JSA claimants to take specific actions which will help them to find work, and failure to do so without good reason may result in a benefit sanction being applied.
The service meets accessibility standards and DWP will continue to support disadvantaged jobseekers.
There is a “ Cookies fact sheet” which explains about cookies:
- Cookies fact sheet (165KB)
- published 5 March 2013 - Cookies fact sheet - Welsh (187KB) - published 5 March 2013
Universal Jobmatch is accessed through www.gov.uk/jobsearch for jobseekers and www.gov.uk/advertise-job for employers.
A 'How to use Universal Jobmatch' guide gives jobseekers simple step by step instructions on how to set up an account:
- How to use Universal Jobmatch (36KB) – published 16 November 2012
- How to use Universal Jobmatch – Welsh (55KB) – published 16 November 2012
Case studies
An employer in Wales posted a job on Universal Jobmatch at the end of his working day and by the following morning he had received a number of CVs from suitably qualified applicants. The company contacted a number of jobseekers online and offered them an interview for later that day. One of the jobseekers was successful at interview and commenced work with them. A spokesperson from the company stated they were very pleased with Universal Jobmatch and how quickly they were able to fill their vacancy.
Emma Wilson, the Recruitment Manager for Camberley Premier Inn, says:
"Universal Jobmatch is fantastic"
She experienced some slow running when she first signed up, but since then she has been very impressed and has had a number of excellent matches to jobs. Emma really likes the way she can see potential employee details and also likes being able to manage her own recruitment through the service.
A claimant from Honiton registered an account on Universal Jobmatch and his adviser noticed a Tanker driver vacancy and 'matched' him to it on Universal Jobmatch linking his record with the vacancy and advising him to apply. He did and was successful and offered the job.
How you can help
Digital skills are becoming more vital in daily life but particularly for job search. As part of the DWP’s Digitalisation Programme we need to ensure that jobseekers have the required knowledge and, if not, they know where to get help and support to get online.
You can help by actively encouraging jobseekers to get online, set up an email account in preparation to use the new service, or signpost them to help and support in using the internet where appropriate.
