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'Cost of Jobcentre Plus Website job Search functionality'.
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Annex A
Annex A
Dear Mr Raven
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request of 27/5/10.
You requested the following information: Please can you confirm when the new version of the search will be working as distance is still largely ignored.'
The job search functionality has been designed to promote working opportunities across a broad geographic area, and to encourage those looking for jobs to consider further travel where doing so will improve their prospects of successfully finding a job.
However, following customer feedback, we are working with our suppliers to improve the search facility. Once this work is complete, if a customer selects local vacancies the search facility will display only those vacancies that meet the location criteria before any nationally advertised vacancies are shown. This work is due to be completed by August 2010.
In the meantime, I have outlined below information about the job search which I trust you will find useful:
Jobs and Skills offers a `Quick search' function that allows a customer to input up to three jobs titles in any one search (or the phase `all jobs') and a location or post code in a free text format. You may also input the Jobcentre Plus vacancy reference in this field.
The `Advanced search' function enables a customer to select search criteria from a menu-driven selection and works in much the same way as the Jobcentre Pus job search site.
Both the Quick search and the Advanced search functions allow you to input or select up to three job types in any one search. By inputting three job types you can receive up to 300 system vacancies (100 vacancies per job type). However if you prefer to use the `all jobs' search only 100 vacancies will be displayed.
To obtain the best search results, customers should be specific about the type of job they are looking for and input the job title such as `payroll manager' and avoid generic terms such as `payroll'.
In addition you can use the `Refine your search' option (found at the top of the vacancy page or to the right hand side of the screen under the heading `search options') to change several default search parameters. Refine your search allows you to change the job title, your search radius; select permanent or temporary work or both; select hours per week from a range of options; and significantly define the age of vacancy you wish to see e.g. `today vacancies', `vacancies up to 1 week old', `up to 2 weeks old' or `all live vacancies'.
If you prefer to search for `all jobs' then the best results will be obtained if you use the job search daily and using `Refine your search', set the Age of Vacancy default to indicate `today's jobs'.
I would like assure you that we take all comments about our online services very seriously as we look to improve our systems. If you have any further issues or queries regarding the Jobs & Skills job search please do not hesitate to let us know by e-mailing Jobcentre Plus IT Gateway at IT.gatewaycorrespondence1@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk .
If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely,
DWP Central FoI Team
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Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act
If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailing [DWP request email] or by writing to DWP, Central FoI Team, 5th Floor The Adelphi, 1-11, John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT. Any review request should be submitted within two months of the date of this letter.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner's Office for a decision. Generally the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted our own complaints procedure. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF www.ico.gov.uk
DWP Central Freedom of Information Team
e-mail: [DWP request email]
Our Ref:1398
16 June 2010