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1000.13 TANF MANUAL 7/19 PAGE 36

3. Assignment to Job Search

a. Participants who are not employed full-time at the time the Agreement of Personal Responsibility is signed, including participants who are self-employed, must be placed into job search. The length of the initial job search assignment will depend on the type of job search and the point in the month at which the assignment is made. See 1000.4, VIEW Program Flow.

b. In some circumstances, the initial assignment to job search and/or job readiness may be waived. See 1000.4C.

c. A participant who has not found full-time employment 60 days prior to the end of her 24-month TANF time limitation must be placed in a job search component in conjunction with any other program assignment. This assignment will continue until the participant leaves TANF at the end of the two- year time period.

4. Elements of the Job Search Component

When developing the Job Search assignment, the worker must incorporate the following elements based on the participant's needs:

a. techniques to help the participant identify good work attitudes, strengths and job skills/transferable skills.

b. job seeking skills to train the participant to successfully seek and obtain appropriate employment. This instruction/ guidance will enable participants to market themselves in a job interview and on the job. Subjects include, but are not limited to, development of job leads, job interviewing techniques, discussion of local labor market information, employer expectations, and accurate completion of applications.

c. activities and opportunities for the participant to build self-esteem. A group setting is one of the best ways to build self-esteem. Brief periodic meetings may be held to allow the group members an opportunity to report progress, discuss problems and receive specific help with job search techniques.

d. use of the telephone as a primary employer contact to develop job leads and obtain interviews. Developing and writing a good phone script and practicing employer contacts will be an effective aid for the participant in the job search.

5. Employer Contacts

a. The participant has the responsibility to submit enough applications/resumes and participate in enough job interviews to meet the hourly job search assignment. (Note: travel time between interviews, but not to the first interview or from the last interview, can be included in determining hours of job search). The ESW provides support and direction in these areas throughout the job search assignment. If, however, the individual has a verified disability or language barrier that limits the ability to arrange for the required number of job search hours, the ESW must assist the individual in arranging for the needed contacts, reduce the number of job search hours required, or both.

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