Status Gap

[jjm07]

Hello

I graduated in the UK in November 2011. A few days later I received a verbal job offer. However the Human Resources department of new company took ages to issue the contract and process the paperwork which meant I only started my new job on 24 January 2012.

What is my status for the period November 2011 and 24 January 2012?

[noajthan]

Hello

I graduated in the UK in November 2011. A few days later I received a verbal job offer. However the Human Resources department of new company took ages to issue the contract and process the paperwork which meant I only started my new job on 24 January 2012.

What is my status for the period November 2011 and 24 January 2012?

Unemployed.

Did you have CSI?

[jjm07]

Unemployed? Sure I was at least 'looking for a job', how can someone go from 'looking for a job' to 'unemployed' when they received an offer? What about people who are made redundant etc.?

[noajthan]

Unemployed? Sure I was at least 'looking for a job', how can someone go from 'looking for a job' to 'unemployed' when they received an offer? What about people who are made redundant etc.?

You probably don't have evidence of 'jobseeking' as you had secured a job. So you were not a jobseeker qualified person in the context of EU freemovement and treaty rights.

Unless you had funds and CSI in place and can make a case for being a selfsufficient qualified person then you were economically inactive (unemployed).
There's no shame in that, I've been unemployed myself 'back in the day'.
But in terms of treaty rights it doesn't help you and your PR clock will have stopped.

Incidentally did you have CSI (or alternative) as a student?

[Noetic]

If OP didn't have CSI or a foreign issued EHIC then the student years wouldn't count in the first place so it's a moot point? And if they did then they can be classed as self sufficient unless they cancelled CSI as soon as uni finished.

[noajthan]

If OP didn't have CSI or a foreign issued EHIC then the student years wouldn't count in the first place so it's a moot point? And if they did then they can be classed as self sufficient unless they cancelled CSI as soon as uni finished.

Hence my question about CSI which gets to the heart of the matter by a finely-tuned process of elucidation (rather than second-guessing).

[jjm07]

Yes and up to 31/12/2011. Got the offer in November 2011 but started on 24/01/2012 due to HR being super slow

Am I going to lose the clock for 24 days?! I did apply to some other jobs in the meantime as I was worried by HR slowness. I cannot provide much more than a few job application and my registration at a jobcentre in December.

[noajthan]

Yes and up to 31/12/2011. Got the offer in November 2011 but started on 24/01/2012 due to HR being super slow

Am I going to lose the clock for 24 days?! I did apply to some other jobs in the meantime as I was worried by HR slowness. I cannot provide much more than a few job application and my registration at a jobcentre in December.

You may be alright for 24 days. All you can do is apply and see.
There's no guidance on how small a gap has to be to be ignored.

[jjm07]

OK thanks. Are there any tips to make a 'maybe' become a 'yes'? Or is it just random?

[noajthan]

OK thanks. Are there any tips to make a 'maybe' become a 'yes'? Or is it just random?

Without someone on the inside there's no sure way of knowing.

Just accentuate the positive and make sure the evidence to back your case is rock solid.