For anyone without a job your smartest move is to claim JSA unless you expect to be in employment soon.
The stigma of admitting to being on JSA is something of a myth. Employers are hardly likely to be shocked if an applicant admits to a spell of JSA particulary in the current mess.
In fact, logically, everyone applying for any job is either dissatisfied with their current job or doesn't have one.
Despite some of the responses these sorts of posts get on the forum, remember this: Those posters won't be stepping in to pay your National Insurance contribution shortfall which is what you'll have and which will affect your state pension if you haven't bothered to register for JSA. Without which you'll get no help with housing costs if you're desperate.
For anyone living off their savings or whatever and not claiming it's a triple whammy. You'll be living off savings or supportive family, not paying your state pension NICs and allowing the state (If you're actively seeking work) to keep an entitlement which is precisely what we pay taxes for.
Not forgetting of course that registering will allow access to jobsearch facilities, advisors, travel-to-interview schemes, discretionary grant, training opportunities and other stuff. If you're on JSA then use it. Check out training opportunities in everything from bricklaying to forklift licences to first aid certificates to food hygiene certs to college courses to run-your-own-business courses to just about anything anyone can offer.
Other hot tips: Have someone professional draft your CV is you're not up to it yourself. The CV needs to be precise in content and grammar. Bish-bash-bosh. Take it or leave it. Same with interview. On time. Smart. Confident. So confident, in fact, that you ask THEM questions.
