Anyone had success finding real jobs through CalJOBS? EDD requires it but seems useless

CalJOBS is definitely one of the work search activities EDD accepts, but it's not the only option. I actually DID get a job through it back in 2023, but it took about 6 weeks of consistent applications. The key is to complete your profile 100% and upload a solid resume. The system ranks applicants based on profile completeness. Also make sure you're checking the "last updated" date on listings - anything older than 2 weeks is probably already filled. I would recommend diversifying your work search activities to include networking events, direct employer applications, and LinkedIn too.

its garbage lol!!! been on there since jan and nothing but scams and minimum wage stuff. EDD just makes us use it so they can say "see we gave u jobs to apply 4!!" meanwhile real employers dont even check it

I actually got my current job through CalJOBS! But I think I just got super lucky. Applied to like 40+ positions over 2 months and only heard back from 2. The trick is filtering for jobs posted within the last 3 days - anything older than that is basically dead. Also, check the "external application" box because those listings link to company websites and have way better response rates in my experience.

The real value of CalJOBS isn't necessarily getting a job directly through their system (though it can happen). The site helps you meet your legal work search requirements while you use more effective job search methods. Remember that you must complete work search activities for each week you certify, and failing to do so can result in disqualification for benefits. My advice: 1. Use CalJOBS to record your work search activities (even ones you did elsewhere) 2. Use the Resume Builder tool - it's outdated but EDD can see you're using it 3. Apply to at least 5 positions weekly through various platforms 4. Print/save confirmation emails as proof of application This documentation protects you if you get selected for a random work search audit, which EDD has been doing more frequently in 2025.

My cousin got a warehouse job through CalJOBS last year but he said it was paying like $3 less than they advertised. Bait and switch! I've been trying too since I got laid off from construction but it's mostly garbage. Better off driving around and looking for "help wanted" signs honestly.

To answer your question about recording other job applications: Yes, CalJOBS has a feature where you can log external work search activities. This is actually preferred because it creates a documented history that EDD can access if they audit your claim. Regarding audits: EDD randomly selects claimants and sends a Notice of Work Search Eligibility Review. You'll have to provide details about your job search activities during specific weeks. If you've been maintaining records in CalJOBS, you can simply print that history. As for success with the platform - it varies widely by industry. Government, healthcare, and some warehouse positions tend to get filled through CalJOBS. Tech, finance, and creative fields rarely use it effectively. What field are you searching in?

Has anyone had any luck REACHING EDD to ask them questions about this stuff?! I've been calling for THREE DAYS about my work search requirements and can't get through. Always "we're experiencing high call volume" then hang up. So frustrating!!!

Regarding your question about certification: When you certify, simply answer "yes" to question #3 about looking for work. You don't need to specify which platforms you're using unless they send you the supplemental work search form. The system only asks for details if you're selected for an eligibility review. For marketing/communications positions, LinkedIn and industry-specific job boards will be much more effective than CalJOBS. However, still do the minimum on CalJOBS and document everything. Keep a simple spreadsheet with dates, company names, positions, application methods, and any responses. This will save you tremendous headaches if you get selected for review. Also remember that networking events, informational interviews, and skill development activities can count toward your work search requirements too.

why does EDD force us to use such a crappy website??? its like they WANT us to fail finding jobs so they can cut our benefits!!

Just want to add something important: When you do find employment, make sure you stop certifying for benefits immediately, even if you haven't received your first paycheck yet. Report your employment starting from your first day of work, not your first payday. This avoids potential overpayment issues which are a huge headache to resolve. And with your marketing background, have you considered freelance work while job hunting? Freelance gigs need to be reported when you certify (with careful tracking of hours and earnings), but they can supplement your benefits while building your portfolio and network for a full-time position.

I've been using CalJOBS for about 8 months now and honestly it's a mixed bag. Got one interview through it but they offered way below market rate. The site definitely needs an overhaul - the search filters are terrible and you can't even sort by salary range properly. What I've found helpful is setting up email alerts for new postings in your field, then applying within 24 hours. Most decent jobs get flooded with applications after the first day. Also, don't just rely on the basic search - try browsing by company name if you know specific employers you want to work for. The reality is CalJOBS works best as documentation for EDD compliance while you focus your real job search elsewhere. I spend maybe 30 minutes a week applying through it just to check the box, then put my real effort into networking and direct company applications.

I'm in a similar boat - been required to use CalJOBS for about 2 months now and it's been pretty frustrating. The interface really does feel ancient and half the time I'm not even sure if my applications went through properly. One thing that's helped me is treating it more like a compliance tool than an actual job search platform. I apply to 3-5 positions per week through CalJOBS just to meet the requirements, but I'm putting most of my energy into Indeed, LinkedIn, and direct company websites. For what it's worth, I did get one phone screening through CalJOBS but it turned out to be a total waste of time - they were offering $15/hour for what should have been a $25/hour position. But hey, at least I can document that I'm actively searching when I certify! The key seems to be not expecting too much from the platform while still using it enough to satisfy EDD. Has anyone figured out if there's a minimum number of applications we need to submit through CalJOBS specifically, or is it just part of the overall work search requirement?

I've been dealing with CalJOBS for about 4 months now and honestly, it's been a struggle. The platform feels like it's stuck in the stone age - I've had applications just disappear into the void with no confirmation they were even received. What's really frustrating is that my counselor keeps pushing it as if it's this amazing resource when clearly most real employers aren't even using it. That said, I did learn a few tricks that might help: First, always screenshot your application confirmations because the system glitches a lot. Second, focus on government and healthcare positions - those seem to be the only sectors that actually use CalJOBS seriously. And third, use the "recently posted" filter religiously - anything over a week old is basically dead. I've started treating it like digital paperwork rather than a real job search tool. Apply to a few positions weekly for documentation purposes, but put your real energy into networking and modern job boards. It's frustrating that we're forced to use such outdated technology, but at least we can game the system to meet requirements while focusing on what actually works. Hang in there - your benefit year ending in April gives you time to figure out a better strategy while still staying compliant!

I've been using CalJOBS for about 6 weeks now and it's definitely frustrating, but I did want to share one thing that's helped me a bit. I discovered that if you click on the "Advanced Search" option, you can actually filter by "Date Posted" and set it to "Last 3 Days" - this has saved me so much time from scrolling through dead listings. Also, I've noticed that jobs posted by actual state agencies (like Caltrans, CDPH, etc.) tend to be more legitimate and have better response rates than the random third-party postings. The pay might not be amazing but at least they're real positions. Like everyone else here, I'm mainly using it for compliance while doing my serious job hunting on LinkedIn and company websites. But having those few legitimate applications through CalJOBS has actually helped me feel less guilty when I certify and answer "yes" to the work search question. Your marketing background definitely puts you at a disadvantage on this platform though - I'd say 80% of the decent listings I see are for healthcare, government, or warehouse work. Keep grinding on the platforms that actually matter for your field!

I've been on CalJOBS for about 2 months now and had a similar experience - lots of outdated listings and poor response rates. But I did finally get one decent interview last week (still waiting to hear back). What helped me was creating a daily routine: check new postings every morning around 8am, apply immediately to anything posted in the last 24 hours, and keep a simple Excel sheet tracking everything. The key insight I learned from talking to other people is that CalJOBS is really more of a compliance tool than an actual job search platform. I spend maybe 45 minutes a week on it applying to 4-5 positions, then focus the rest of my energy on LinkedIn, Indeed, and direct company applications. This approach has kept me in good standing with EDD while actually generating real interviews through other channels. Also, don't stress too much about your benefit year ending in April - that's still 4 weeks away which is plenty of time if you diversify your search strategy. The fact that you're already getting callbacks from Indeed shows your approach is working, just keep CalJOBS as your "check the box" activity while putting real effort where it counts!

I've been struggling with CalJOBS for about 5 weeks now and honestly, reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one finding it frustrating and outdated. I think the biggest takeaway for me is shifting my mindset to treat it as a compliance tool rather than expecting it to actually land me a job. I'm definitely going to try some of the specific tips mentioned here - the "Last 3 Days" filter, focusing on state agency positions, and taking screenshots of applications for documentation. The idea of maintaining a simple Excel spreadsheet to track everything also seems crucial for potential audits. What really strikes me is how many people have found success by doing the bare minimum on CalJOBS (3-5 applications per week) while putting their real effort into LinkedIn, Indeed, and direct company applications. That seems like the sweet spot for staying compliant while actually making progress on finding employment. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and practical advice! It's made me feel a lot less stressed about the whole situation knowing there's a strategy that works even if the platform itself is lacking.

I've been dealing with CalJOBS for about 7 weeks now and honestly, this entire thread has been a revelation! Like many of you, I was getting incredibly frustrated thinking the platform was supposed to be my primary job search tool. The mindset shift to treating it as purely a compliance/documentation system makes SO much sense. I'm definitely implementing several strategies mentioned here: the daily 8am check for fresh postings, focusing on state agency jobs even if they're not my ideal field, and keeping detailed records with screenshots. The Excel tracking spreadsheet idea is brilliant for audit protection. What's been most helpful is realizing that 3-5 CalJOBS applications per week for compliance purposes, while focusing real effort on LinkedIn and industry-specific platforms, seems to be the winning approach. I was burning myself out trying to make CalJOBS work as my main strategy when clearly it's just not designed for that. For anyone else feeling frustrated - you're not alone and you're not doing anything wrong! The platform really is outdated and limited. But at least now I have a clear strategy moving forward instead of just randomly applying and hoping for the best.

I've been using CalJOBS for about 3 months now and can definitely relate to your frustration! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly validating - I thought I was going crazy thinking the platform was basically useless for actual job hunting. What's worked for me is treating it exactly like everyone else described: a compliance checkbox rather than a real job search tool. I do about 4-5 applications per week through CalJOBS (focusing on recently posted state/government positions like others mentioned), but I put my serious effort into LinkedIn and direct company outreach. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're in marketing/communications, try checking out the "Training & Workshops" section on CalJOBS. They occasionally list professional development seminars that count toward your work search requirements, and some are actually relevant to our field. I attended a digital marketing workshop last month that was surprisingly decent and helped me network with other professionals in similar situations. The key is managing expectations. CalJOBS isn't going to land you your dream job, but it'll keep you compliant while you focus on strategies that actually work. And hey, at least we're all suffering through this outdated system together! 😅

I've been on CalJOBS for about 6 weeks now and honestly this whole thread is so reassuring! I was starting to think I was completely incompetent at job searching because I've applied to probably 30+ positions through their system with zero responses. Meanwhile, like you, I've gotten actual callbacks from Indeed and LinkedIn. Reading everyone's experiences here has been a huge relief - I'm definitely switching to the "compliance tool" mindset that everyone's talking about. Going to start doing the bare minimum (3-5 apps per week) on CalJOBS just to check the box, while putting my real energy into platforms that actually work. One small tip I discovered - if you go to the "My CalJOBS" section, there's actually a work search log where you can record ALL your job search activities (not just CalJOBS applications). I started logging my LinkedIn applications, networking calls, and even informational interviews there. Makes me feel way more confident about having documentation if they ever audit me. The system is definitely broken, but at least now I have a strategy that won't drive me insane! Thanks for starting this conversation - it's exactly what I needed to read today.

I've been using CalJOBS for about 2 months now and honestly, this thread has been a lifesaver! I was getting so discouraged thinking I was doing something wrong since I've applied to 25+ positions with only one response (which turned out to be a low-ball offer). Reading everyone's strategies here has completely shifted my approach. I love the idea of treating it as a "compliance checkbox" rather than expecting it to actually work as a job search platform. Starting tomorrow I'm going to implement that daily routine someone mentioned - quick morning check for posts from the last 3 days, apply to a few state positions for documentation, then focus my real energy on LinkedIn and direct company outreach. The tip about the work search log feature blew my mind too - I had no idea I could record my external job applications there! That's going to make audit protection so much easier than maintaining separate spreadsheets. It's honestly wild that we all have to navigate this bureaucratic maze just to meet requirements, but at least now I have a clear strategy that won't make me want to throw my laptop out the window. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - sometimes the best advice comes from people actually going through the same struggle!

I've been using CalJOBS for about 10 weeks now and this entire discussion has been incredibly eye-opening! Like so many others here, I was getting really frustrated thinking the platform was supposed to be my main job search tool. I've submitted 40+ applications through their system with maybe 2 responses, both for positions way below market rate. The "compliance tool" mindset everyone's talking about is exactly what I needed to hear. I've been wasting hours scrolling through outdated listings when I should have been treating it like digital paperwork from the start. I'm definitely going to implement the strategies mentioned here: focus on the "Last 3 Days" filter, apply to 4-5 state positions weekly just for documentation, and use that work search log feature to record all my external applications. It's honestly brilliant that you can log LinkedIn networking and Indeed applications directly in the CalJOBS system for audit protection. What really strikes me is how we're all essentially reverse-engineering workarounds to make a broken system functional enough to meet requirements while doing our real job hunting elsewhere. It's ridiculous that we have to figure this out ourselves, but I'm grateful for everyone sharing their experiences. Sometimes peer knowledge is way more valuable than official guidance! Now I can stop feeling guilty about "not using CalJOBS enough" and focus my energy on platforms that actually connect with real employers. Thanks for this reality check everyone! 🙏

I've been dealing with CalJOBS for about 3 weeks now and this entire thread has been such a game-changer for my understanding! I was honestly starting to panic thinking I was completely failing at job searching since I've gotten zero responses from 22+ applications through their system. Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - especially the mindset shift to treating CalJOBS as a "compliance checkbox" rather than expecting it to actually function as a real job search platform. I had no idea that was even an option! I'm definitely going to start implementing the strategies mentioned: the daily morning check with "Last 3 Days" filter, focusing on state/government positions for documentation purposes, and using that work search log feature to record all my external activities. The fact that you can log LinkedIn and Indeed applications directly in CalJOBS for audit protection is brilliant - I wish someone had told me that weeks ago! It's honestly wild that we're all having to figure out these workarounds ourselves just to navigate what should be a straightforward system. But I'm so grateful for this community sharing real experiences and practical solutions. Now I can stop wasting hours on that clunky interface and put my energy where it actually matters - LinkedIn, Indeed, and direct company outreach. Thanks for starting this conversation and to everyone for being so open about their struggles and strategies. Sometimes the best guidance comes from people actually living through the same bureaucratic nightmare! 🙌

I've been struggling with CalJOBS for about 5 weeks now and honestly, reading through this entire thread has been such a relief! I was starting to think there was something seriously wrong with my approach since I've submitted 20+ applications through their system with absolutely zero responses, while getting callbacks from other platforms. The mindset shift everyone's talking about - treating CalJOBS as a "compliance tool" rather than a real job search platform - is exactly what I needed to hear. I've been burning myself out trying to make it work as my primary strategy when clearly it's just not designed for that purpose. I'm definitely going to implement the systematic approach mentioned here: quick daily check with the "Last 3 Days" filter, apply to 3-4 state positions weekly for documentation, and use that work search log feature to record all my external applications. The fact that you can log LinkedIn and Indeed activities directly in CalJOBS for audit protection is brilliant - wish I'd known that from the start! It's honestly frustrating that we have to figure out these workarounds ourselves just to navigate what should be a helpful system. But I'm so grateful for everyone sharing their real experiences and practical strategies. Now I can stop feeling guilty about "not trying hard enough" on CalJOBS and focus my energy on platforms that actually connect with employers. Thanks for this incredibly helpful discussion - sometimes peer knowledge beats official guidance every time! 🙏