Tense requests for jobs (5)
I believe the answer is:
tasks
'for jobs' is the definition.
('task' can be a synonym of 'job')
'tense requests' is the wordplay.
'tense' becomes 't' (abbreviation used in many dictionaries).
'requests' becomes 'asks' ('ask' can be a synonym of 'request').
't'+'asks'='TASKS'
(Other definitions for tasks that I've seen before include "Chores, duties" , "Chores, jobs" , "Chores, undertakings" , "Labours" , "'Jobs, undertakings (5)'" .)