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Sergio Neal

EDD virtual RESEA appointment coming up - what documentation needed?

Just got a notice in the mail saying I need to attend a virtual RESEA appointment with EDD (Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment). I'm freaking out a bit since I've been on unemployment for about 6 weeks and this is my first time dealing with this. The letter mentions bringing documentation but doesn't specify exactly what I need to have ready. Do I need to show proof of all my job applications? And what about that form they included - do I need to fill it out before the appointment or during? Has anyone gone through one of these recently? What should I expect? Will they try to disqualify me? I've been applying to jobs regularly but haven't kept the most organized records. Help!

I had one of these RESEA interviews back in January. It's not as scary as it sounds! They're basically checking that you're actively looking for work and providing some job search resources. Definitely fill out that form they sent you beforehand - it asks about your work history, skills, and job search activities. During my appointment, the interviewer wanted to see that I was applying to at least 3 jobs per week. They didn't ask for proof of every single application, but they did ask me to describe some recent ones I'd submitted (company names, positions, dates). Just be honest about your job search efforts. They also offered resources like resume help and job fairs. The whole thing took about 45 minutes.

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Thank you so much! That's a huge relief. I've definitely been applying to more than 3 jobs a week, but I haven't saved confirmation emails for all of them. I'll start keeping better records going forward. Did they ask specific questions about each job you applied to? And did they schedule any follow-up appointments?

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THESE APPOINTMENTS ARE TOTAL BS!!! They're just looking for any excuse to cut off your benefits. I had one last year and the interviewer was RUDE and kept asking gotcha questions about my work search. Make sure you have EVERY SINGLE application documented with screenshots, dates, confirmation emails, EVERYTHING. They tried to disqualify me because I couldn't prove I applied to one job I mentioned. The whole system is designed to trip you up!!!!

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I don't think scaring the OP helps... My RESEA was actually really helpful and the interviewer gave me some good leads for jobs in my field. They're not all out to get you. Just be prepared with basic info about your job search and you'll be fine.

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ya i had 1 of these last month, just filled out the paper they sent and had my resume ready. they just wanna make sure ur looking for work. lady was pretty nice actually. dont stress

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Glad to hear it went smoothly for you! I'm working on filling out that form now. Did they ask for specific details about each job application?

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These RESEA appointments are standard procedure for many UI claimants. The purpose is twofold: to verify you're meeting eligibility requirements (actively seeking work) and to provide reemployment assistance. Here's what you should prepare: 1. Complete the form they sent you before the appointment 2. Have a list of at least 5-7 jobs you've applied to with basic details (company name, position, date, how you applied) 3. Be ready to discuss your job search strategy 4. Have your resume available to share 5. Be prepared to discuss any barriers to employment you're facing They typically don't require proof of every application, but having some documentation (confirmation emails, application numbers) is helpful. The appointment usually lasts 30-60 minutes. They may also schedule follow-up services depending on your situation.

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This is good advice! I went through this back in 2024 and basically they wanted to see that I was making a genuine effort to find work. They connected me with some resources I didn't even know existed. It was actually helpful.

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I had my RESEA thing 3 weeks ago and honestly it was pretty chill. The interviewer just wanted to know what kind of work I was looking for and made sure I understood how the job search requirements worked. She didn't ask for any proof but I mentioned a few places I'd applied. They also gave me info about some workshops and job fairs. I think they're just checking that people aren't collecting benefits while not actually trying to find work.

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Hey everyone - if you're struggling to reach EDD about these RESEA appointments or any other unemployment issues, check out claimyr.com. I was super nervous about my RESEA and had questions, but couldn't get through on the regular EDD lines. Claimyr got me connected to an EDD rep in about 25 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The rep I spoke with was able to clarify exactly what I needed for my RESEA appointment and it made the whole process way less stressful.

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Thanks for this! I've been trying to get through to ask questions and keep getting the "we're experiencing high call volume" message. I'll check it out because I really want to make sure I'm prepared correctly.

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To answer your specific questions: 1. Job application proof: Have details of 5-10 recent applications ready. Most interviewers don't require documentation for every application, but having some evidence (emails, confirmation numbers, screenshots) is helpful for at least a few of them. 2. The form: Yes, definitely complete this before your appointment. This gives the interviewer more time to focus on helping you rather than filling out paperwork. 3. What to expect: The appointment is typically 30-60 minutes. They'll review your work search activities, discuss your employment goals, and may recommend services or training opportunities. They may also schedule follow-up appointments depending on your situation. Remember that the primary purpose isn't to disqualify you but to help ensure you're taking appropriate steps to find work and to provide assistance where needed.

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yep this is exactly right. they might ask about specific jobs u applied to so just have that info ready

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Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I'm filling out the form now and putting together a detailed list of all my job applications from the past few weeks. I feel much better knowing what to expect. I'll update after my appointment to let you know how it went!

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I had my RESEA appointment but mine was completely different than what everyone is describing here. They asked me about my past work experience and whether I was willing to take a pay cut for a new position. Then they scheduled me for some mandatory workshop about resume building even though I already have a good resume? The whole thing seemed like a waste of time tbh. But I guess I'm still getting my benefits so whatever.

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The interviews can vary quite a bit depending on your work history and which interviewer you get. Some of those workshops can actually be helpful though - they often have connections with employers who are actively hiring.

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Quick update: Had my RESEA appointment today and it went smooth! The interviewer was actually really helpful and not intimidating at all. She mainly wanted to make sure I understood the work search requirements and offered some resources for job hunting in my field. She did ask about specific jobs I'd applied to recently, so I'm glad I had that information ready. Thanks again for all the advice - it really helped me prepare and feel less anxious!

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Great to hear it went well! This is typically the experience most people have. The RESEA program is designed to help claimants return to work faster through personalized assistance. Did they schedule any follow-up appointments or workshops for you?

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Congratulations on getting through your RESEA appointment successfully! It's always great to hear positive experiences since these appointments can seem really intimidating at first. Your preparation definitely paid off - having those specific job application details ready shows you were taking the process seriously. For anyone else reading this who has a RESEA appointment coming up, Sergio's experience is pretty typical. The key takeaways seem to be: fill out the form beforehand, have details of recent job applications ready (company names, positions, dates), and don't stress too much about it. Most interviewers really are there to help, not to trip you up. Thanks for sharing your update - it'll definitely help other people who are in the same situation you were in!

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This is such a helpful summary! I have my RESEA appointment scheduled for next week and reading through everyone's experiences here has been so reassuring. I was definitely overthinking it and worried they'd be looking for reasons to cut my benefits, but it sounds like most people have had positive experiences. I'm going to follow the advice about having specific job application details ready and filling out that form completely beforehand. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helps newcomers like me know what to expect!

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Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else reading this thread - I had my RESEA appointment about 2 months ago and it was actually really positive! The interviewer was super understanding and focused more on helping me improve my job search strategy than grilling me about every detail. She pointed out some resources I hadn't considered and even suggested a few companies in my field that were actively hiring. The whole thing took about 40 minutes and felt more like a career counseling session than an interrogation. My biggest tip is to be honest about your job search efforts - they can tell when you're being genuine versus just trying to check boxes. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions about local job fairs or training programs during the appointment. They have access to resources that aren't always well-publicized. Good luck to everyone who has one of these coming up!

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This is exactly the kind of positive experience I was hoping to hear about! I have my RESEA appointment next week and I've been really nervous about it. Your point about being honest is reassuring - I've been consistently applying to jobs but sometimes worry I'm not doing "enough" or that they'll find some technicality to disqualify me. It's good to know that most interviewers seem to genuinely want to help rather than just catch people in some kind of trap. I'll definitely ask about local resources during my appointment since you mentioned they have access to things that aren't well-publicized. Thanks for sharing your experience!

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I'm scheduled for my RESEA appointment next month and this entire thread has been incredibly helpful! I was really anxious about it after getting that notice in the mail, but seeing everyone's experiences (especially the positive updates from Sergio) has put my mind at ease. It sounds like the key is just being prepared with basic job search information and being honest about your efforts. I've been keeping better records of my applications since reading this thread. One question though - for those who've been through it, do they ask about salary expectations or whether you're being "too picky" about positions? I'm in a specialized field and worried they might think I should be applying to anything and everything regardless of fit.

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Great question about salary expectations and being "too picky"! From what I've seen in this thread and other discussions, most RESEA interviewers understand that people have specialized skills and it makes sense to focus your search on positions that match your experience level. They're more concerned with seeing that you're actively applying to legitimate opportunities in your field rather than just applying to random jobs that don't fit. That said, they might ask if you're open to considering similar roles or adjacent fields if your search has been going on for a while. I'd suggest being prepared to explain your job search strategy - like if you're applying to 5-7 relevant positions per week in your specialty rather than 15 random jobs, that shows you're being strategic and realistic about your qualifications. The key seems to be demonstrating that you're genuinely engaged in finding work, not just going through the motions.

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I'm going through the same thing right now - got my RESEA notice last week and have been stressed about it ever since! This thread is exactly what I needed to read. I've been on unemployment for about 2 months and like you, I haven't kept the most organized records of my job applications. Reading everyone's experiences here has been so reassuring though. It sounds like they're not trying to catch you in some gotcha moment, they just want to see that you're genuinely looking for work. I'm definitely going to start keeping better records going forward and make sure I fill out that form they sent completely before my appointment. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's so helpful to hear from people who have actually been through this process rather than just worrying about all the worst-case scenarios in my head!

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You're definitely not alone in feeling stressed about this! I just went through the same thing - got my notice a few weeks ago and immediately started panicking about not having perfect records of every application. But honestly, after reading through this thread and talking to others, it seems like most people's experiences are pretty positive. The interviewers really do seem to understand that job searching can be messy and they're more focused on seeing that you're making a genuine effort rather than having perfect documentation. I'd definitely recommend starting to keep better records now (I've been saving confirmation emails and taking screenshots), but don't beat yourself up about the past applications. From what everyone's shared, they usually just want to hear about a handful of recent applications and get a sense of your overall job search strategy. You've got this!

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I just had my RESEA appointment yesterday and wanted to share my experience since this thread was so helpful when I was preparing! The appointment was scheduled for 45 minutes but only took about 30. The interviewer was really professional and friendly - she started by explaining what RESEA stands for and the purpose of the meeting, which immediately put me at ease. She reviewed the form I had filled out beforehand and asked me to walk through my job search activities from the past few weeks. I had prepared a list of about 8 jobs I'd applied to with company names, positions, and dates, and she seemed satisfied with that level of detail. She didn't ask for any screenshots or proof, just wanted to hear about my approach to finding work. The best part was that she actually gave me some great tips about using specific job search websites I hadn't heard of and mentioned a virtual job fair coming up in my industry. She also helped me think about expanding my search to include some related job titles I hadn't considered. At the end, she said I was doing everything right and to keep up the good work. No follow-up appointment needed! For anyone still worried about their upcoming RESEA, just be honest about your job search efforts and don't stress too much - they really are there to help, not to trip you up.

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Thank you so much for sharing your recent experience! This is incredibly helpful and reassuring. I have my RESEA appointment coming up in two weeks and I've been nervous about it, but reading about your positive experience really helps calm my nerves. It's great to hear that they actually provided useful job search tips and resources - I hadn't expected that part of it. I love that she helped you think about expanding to related job titles too, that's such practical advice. I'm definitely going to prepare a similar list of recent applications with the basic details you mentioned. It sounds like the key really is just being genuine about your job search efforts rather than trying to have perfect documentation of everything. Thanks for taking the time to update us after your appointment - it's so valuable to hear from someone who just went through it!

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I just completed my RESEA appointment this morning and wanted to add another positive experience to this thread! Like many others here, I was really anxious beforehand, but it turned out to be much more supportive than I expected. The interviewer spent the first few minutes just explaining the process and making sure I understood why these appointments exist - basically to help people get back to work faster, not to punish anyone. She reviewed my completed form and asked about my job search strategy, including what types of positions I was targeting and how I was finding job listings. I had details ready for about 6 recent applications, and she was satisfied with just the basic info (company, position, date applied). What really impressed me was how she tailored her advice to my specific situation - she noticed I was only using a couple job boards and introduced me to some industry-specific sites I hadn't known about. She also suggested I consider remote positions since my field has a lot of those opportunities now. The whole thing took about 35 minutes and felt more like a career coaching session. For anyone still preparing for theirs, the biggest thing is just being able to show you're actively and consistently looking for work. Having that form filled out completely beforehand definitely helps move things along smoothly!

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This is such a helpful addition to the thread! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience right after your appointment. It's so reassuring to hear yet another positive experience - it really seems like the pattern is that these RESEA appointments are much more supportive than scary. I love that your interviewer took the time to give you personalized advice about industry-specific job boards and remote opportunities. That's exactly the kind of help I was hoping for but wasn't sure if I'd actually get. I have my appointment scheduled for next week and I've been following the advice from this thread about preparing that list of recent applications with basic details. It's really encouraging to know that they don't need extensive documentation, just evidence that you're making consistent efforts. Thanks for emphasizing the importance of having the form completed beforehand too - I'll make sure to get that done this weekend so I can focus on the actual conversation during the appointment rather than paperwork. This whole thread has been such a lifesaver for managing the anxiety around this process!

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I'm scheduled for my RESEA appointment in a couple weeks and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! Reading everyone's experiences has completely changed my perspective - I was initially terrified after getting that notice, thinking they were looking for reasons to cut my benefits. But it's clear from all these positive updates that the process is actually designed to be helpful rather than punitive. I've been taking notes from everyone's advice and have started keeping much better records of my job applications. I'm preparing a list of recent applications with company names, positions, and dates applied, and I'm definitely going to complete that form thoroughly before my appointment. It's so reassuring to know that most interviewers are genuinely supportive and offer useful resources and advice tailored to your specific situation. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - especially those who came back to update us after their appointments. This kind of real-world insight is so much more helpful than just reading the official government descriptions of what to expect!

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I'm so glad this thread has been helpful for you! It really shows how valuable it is when people share their actual experiences rather than just speculating about what might happen. I was in the exact same boat a few months ago - got that notice and immediately started catastrophizing about all the ways it could go wrong. But like you've seen from everyone's updates, the reality is so much more positive than the anxiety our minds create. Your preparation strategy sounds perfect - having that list of applications ready and completing the form beforehand seems to be the key to a smooth experience. I think one of the most reassuring things from all these stories is how the interviewers genuinely seem to want to help people succeed in their job search rather than find reasons to deny benefits. Good luck with your appointment! I hope you'll consider updating us afterward to continue this helpful chain of real experiences for future people who find themselves in the same situation.

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This entire thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm a newcomer to the unemployment process and just received my RESEA appointment notice yesterday. I was honestly panicking until I found this discussion. Reading through everyone's real experiences - especially the follow-up posts from people like Sergio, Fatima, and Daniel who came back to share how their appointments actually went - has been incredibly reassuring. It's amazing how the reality (supportive, helpful, focused on resources) is so different from what I was imagining (interrogation, gotcha questions, looking for reasons to disqualify). I'm definitely going to follow the consistent advice I'm seeing here: complete the form beforehand, prepare a list of recent job applications with basic details, and just be honest about my job search efforts. The fact that so many people mention getting useful job search tips and resources they didn't know about is actually making me look forward to the appointment now instead of dreading it. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences - this kind of peer support makes navigating these systems so much less intimidating!

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Welcome to the community, Nora! Your experience of finding this thread right after getting your RESEA notice is exactly why these kinds of discussions are so valuable. I'm also relatively new to dealing with unemployment benefits and can totally relate to that initial panic when official notices arrive. What's been most helpful to me from reading everyone's experiences is realizing that the RESEA program really is designed as a support system rather than a punishment mechanism. The consistency across all these positive stories - from the helpfulness of the interviewers to the practical job search advice people received - shows this isn't just lucky coincidences but how the program actually operates. I love how you framed it as going from dreading the appointment to looking forward to it - that's such a healthy perspective shift! It sounds like you have a great preparation plan based on everyone's advice. I hope you'll consider sharing your experience after your appointment too, since posts like yours show how much these real-world insights help people who are going through this process for the first time.

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I just wanted to jump in as someone who's been through the RESEA process twice now (once in 2023 and again earlier this year due to a layoff). The consistency of positive experiences in this thread really matches what I've seen - these appointments genuinely are more about support than scrutiny. One thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned much is that they often ask about any barriers you might be facing in your job search (transportation, childcare, skills gaps, etc.) and can connect you with resources to address those. During my second appointment, I mentioned that I was struggling with interviews and they actually referred me to a free workshop on interview skills that was incredibly helpful. Also, for anyone worried about the "virtual" aspect of the appointment - it's usually just a regular video call and they're very understanding if you have any technical issues. The interviewers are used to people not being super comfortable with the technology. My biggest advice beyond what everyone else has shared is to think of it as a conversation with someone who wants to help you succeed, not an exam you need to pass. That mindset shift really helps with the nerves!

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Thank you so much for sharing your perspective from having gone through this process twice! It's really valuable to hear from someone with that level of experience. I love that you mentioned they ask about barriers and can connect you with resources - that's such a practical way to approach job searching challenges. The interview skills workshop referral sounds incredibly helpful, and it's great to know they think holistically about what might be holding someone back in their search. Your point about approaching it as a conversation with someone who wants to help rather than an exam to pass is such a perfect way to frame it. I think that mindset shift would help anyone going into these appointments feel more relaxed and get more value out of the experience. Thanks for the reassurance about the virtual format too - I hadn't even thought about potential tech issues but it's good to know they're understanding about that. This whole thread has been such a masterclass in how peer support and real experiences can demystify intimidating bureaucratic processes!

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I'm so grateful I found this thread! Just got my RESEA appointment notice today and was immediately stressed about it. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring - it's clear that these appointments are much more supportive than I initially feared. I love seeing how people like Sergio came back to update us with their positive experiences, and the consistent theme seems to be that the interviewers genuinely want to help rather than find reasons to disqualify anyone. I'm definitely going to follow the advice that keeps coming up: fill out the form completely beforehand, prepare a list of recent job applications with basic details (company, position, date), and just be honest about my job search efforts. The fact that so many people mentioned getting useful resources and job search tips they didn't know about is actually making me feel optimistic about the appointment. It's amazing how much more manageable these processes feel when you have real experiences from people who've been through it rather than just official government descriptions that can sound so intimidating. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this kind of peer support is invaluable!

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Welcome to the community, Luca! I'm also fairly new to all of this and just went through my RESEA appointment last week. This thread was a lifesaver for me too when I was preparing. Like you, I was really stressed when I first got that notice, but everyone's experiences here painted such a different picture than what I was imagining. Your preparation plan sounds spot on - that's exactly what I did and it made the whole process so much smoother. One thing I'd add from my recent experience is that they really do appreciate when you come prepared with that basic information, but they're not looking to trip you up if you don't have every single detail perfectly documented. My interviewer was genuinely interested in helping me improve my job search strategy and even suggested some local resources I hadn't heard of. The conversation felt more like getting advice from a career counselor than being interrogated. I hope your appointment goes just as smoothly! This community has been so helpful for navigating all the confusing aspects of the unemployment process.

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I'm another newcomer who just received my RESEA appointment notice and was feeling really anxious about it until I found this thread! It's incredible how much more reassuring it is to read actual experiences from real people rather than just the official government descriptions. The consistent pattern of positive, supportive experiences is so encouraging - from Sergio's initial update about his smooth appointment to all the recent posts from people like Fatima, Daniel, and Dylan sharing their helpful experiences. I'm definitely taking notes on everyone's preparation advice: completing the form beforehand, having a list of recent job applications with basic details ready, and approaching it as a conversation with someone who wants to help rather than an interrogation. The fact that so many people mentioned getting valuable job search resources and tips they didn't know about is actually making me look forward to learning what resources might be available in my area. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences - this kind of peer support makes navigating these systems so much less intimidating for those of us going through it for the first time!

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