RESEA appointment tomorrow - what happens in these virtual interviews?

Had my RESEA meeting last month. It's actually not a big deal! It's mostly about helping you find work faster. The rep checked my job search activities, asked about my job search strategy, and then talked about some resources through the workforce center. The whole thing took about 45 minutes. Just have your work search records ready and be honest about what you've been doing to find work. They also set up some follow-up tasks I had to complete like attending a resume workshop and registering with CalJOBS if you haven't already.

its basically them making sure ur actually looking 4 work lol. they wanna see ur job search stuff and might ask u questions about interviews. had mine back in january and the lady was actually pretty nice. dont stress

RESEA appointments are part of EDD's program to help claimants return to work sooner and verify continued eligibility. What you can expect: 1. Review of your job search activities (have documentation ready) 2. Discussion of your work search plan 3. Assessment of any barriers to employment 4. Information about resources available through America's Job Center of California 5. Creation of a reemployment plan The appointment typically lasts 45-60 minutes. They may assign you mandatory follow-up activities like workshops or training. If you don't participate, you risk being disqualified for benefits. Pro tips: Test your camera/mic beforehand, dress professionally (at least from the waist up), have a quiet environment, and prepare a list of jobs you've applied to with dates, companies, positions, and application methods.

I had to do one and missed it because the link they sent didn't work!!! My benefits got put on hold for 3 weeks while I tried to reschedule. Make sure you test the link they sent you before the actual appointment!!

Don't panic but these appointments are serious business. RESEA is specifically designed to identify potential fraud and eligibility issues. They select claimants based on various risk factors. I recommend: - Have ALL job search records ready with contact details - Be prepared to discuss why you left your last job in detail - Know your benefit amounts and recent certification dates - Be on time - lateness is often interpreted as non-cooperation If they find discrepancies in your job search records or suspect you're not meeting requirements, they can immediately flag your account for eligibility determination, which means benefits stop until investigated.

I completed my RESEA interview two weeks ago. The experience was actually quite positive - the counselor helped me identify some skills I didn't realize were transferable to other industries. Here's what happened: 1. We went through my employment history 2. Reviewed my recent job search efforts (about 5-10 minutes) 3. She helped me refine my resume 4. We discussed industries I hadn't considered 5. She required me to complete a LinkedIn profile workshop The meeting lasted exactly one hour. She was helpful rather than looking to disqualify me. Make sure you're in a quiet place with good internet connection. My meeting got rescheduled once because of technical problems on their end.

I just had my RESEA appointment last week and wanted to share my experience to help ease your nerves! The counselor was really professional and genuinely seemed interested in helping me succeed. We spent about 50 minutes together going over: - My job search log (I had everything in a spreadsheet which they appreciated) - What types of positions I was targeting - Any challenges I was facing in my search - Local job market trends in my field She actually gave me some great leads on companies that were hiring and suggested I look into temp-to-perm opportunities I hadn't considered. The only "homework" she gave me was to attend a virtual networking workshop next month. One thing that really helped was that I printed out my job search records as a backup in case there were any screen sharing issues. Also, having my CalJOBS profile updated beforehand made things go much smoother. You've got this - sounds like you're already well-prepared with your records!

Just wanted to add my two cents since I went through RESEA about 6 months ago! The whole experience was way less stressful than I anticipated. My counselor was actually really knowledgeable about the local job market and gave me some solid advice about tailoring my applications for different industries. One thing I'd suggest is having your work search log organized chronologically - they like to see consistent effort over time. Also, if you've had any interviews (even ones that didn't pan out), definitely mention those because it shows you're getting responses to your applications. The virtual format worked fine for me - just make sure you have good lighting so they can see you clearly. My appointment ran about 45 minutes and honestly felt more like career counseling than an interrogation. They assigned me to complete an online skills assessment afterward, which actually helped me identify some certifications that boosted my resume. You sound like you're doing everything right with your job search, so I wouldn't worry too much. Good luck tomorrow!

I had my RESEA appointment about 3 months ago and it was actually a really positive experience! The counselor was super friendly and genuinely wanted to help me improve my job search strategy. Here's what we covered: - Went through my job search activities (took about 10 minutes) - Discussed my target salary range and whether it was realistic for the current market - Talked about expanding my search to include remote opportunities - She showed me some job boards I wasn't using before - We reviewed my interview skills and she gave me some great tips The whole thing lasted about an hour and she assigned me to complete an online job readiness workshop, which was actually pretty helpful. One tip - if you have any specific questions about your industry or job search challenges, definitely bring them up! They have access to a lot of resources and labor market data that can be really valuable. You sound well-prepared with your records, so I think you'll do great. The fact that you're keeping good documentation of your job search shows you're taking it seriously, which is exactly what they want to see. Good luck with your appointment!

I had my RESEA appointment about 2 months ago and wanted to share since you're having yours tomorrow! The whole experience was much more supportive than I expected. My counselor was really professional and spent most of the time actually helping me strategize rather than just checking boxes. Here's what we went through: - Quick review of my job search records (maybe 15 minutes) - Discussion about my field and current hiring trends - She helped me identify some transferable skills I hadn't considered highlighting - Gave me tips on following up with employers after applications - Connected me with a local hiring event I didn't know about The meeting ran about 55 minutes total. She did assign me to complete a virtual workshop on interviewing skills, which had a 2-week deadline but was actually pretty useful. One thing that really helped was having my job search info in a simple format - just dates, company names, positions, and how I applied (online, referral, etc.). I also mentioned a couple networking events I'd attended, which she seemed to appreciate as part of my overall job search effort. You sound like you're already doing everything right with your consistent applications and good record-keeping. Try to relax and think of it more as free career counseling than an audit. You've got this! Let us know how it goes.

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who had their RESEA appointment a few weeks ago! Reading through all these responses brought back my experience - and honestly, everyone's right that it's way less scary than it sounds. My counselor was really thorough but in a helpful way. We spent the first part going over my job search activities (I had them in a simple Word doc organized by week, which worked fine). Then we talked about my career goals and she actually helped me realize I was limiting myself to too narrow a job search. She suggested some related job titles I hadn't been searching for that opened up a lot more opportunities. The technical side went smoothly - just make sure you're somewhere with reliable internet. Mine lasted about 50 minutes and she assigned me to complete an online assessment about workplace skills, which was due within 3 weeks. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here: if you've done any volunteer work, freelancing, or even informal help for friends/family businesses during your unemployment, mention it! They see that as showing initiative and keeping your skills sharp. You're clearly well-prepared with your job search records and weekly applications. The fact that you're being proactive about understanding the process shows you're taking everything seriously. Tomorrow will go great - think of it as getting a free career coach for an hour!

Hey Owen! I just wanted to chime in since I had my RESEA appointment about a month ago and I know how nerve-wracking it can be beforehand. Everyone here has given you such great advice already, but I'll add my experience too. My appointment was super straightforward - the counselor was actually really friendly and genuinely seemed to want to help me succeed. We went through my job search log (I kept mine in a simple Excel sheet with dates, companies, positions, and application method), talked about my industry, and she gave me some really valuable insights about the local job market that I hadn't considered. The whole thing took about 45 minutes. She did assign me a follow-up task - I had to complete an online workshop about using LinkedIn effectively for job searching, which was actually pretty helpful and not too time-consuming. One small tip that helped me: I made sure to test the video link about 30 minutes before the appointment and had a backup phone number ready just in case there were technical issues. Also, I dressed business casual even though it was virtual - it helped me feel more confident and professional. You sound like you're already doing everything right with your consistent job applications and good record-keeping. Try to think of it as getting free career coaching rather than being evaluated. You've got this! Good luck tomorrow and let us know how it goes!

I had my RESEA appointment about 6 weeks ago and wanted to add my perspective since you're going tomorrow! Everyone here has given you excellent advice - the experience really is much more supportive than intimidating. My counselor spent the first 20 minutes reviewing my job search activities (I kept mine in a Google Sheet with columns for date, company, position, application method, and any follow-up). Then we talked about my job search strategy and she actually helped me identify some companies in my area that I hadn't considered. What really surprised me was how knowledgeable she was about current hiring trends in my field. She gave me specific advice about tailoring my applications for the remote job market and even suggested some professional associations I should look into joining. The appointment ran about 50 minutes and she assigned me to complete an online workshop on salary negotiation, which had a 3-week deadline. Honestly, it ended up being really valuable - I felt way more confident in interviews afterward. My biggest tip: come prepared with 2-3 specific questions about your job search challenges. These counselors have access to tons of labor market data and resources that can really help accelerate your search. You're clearly well-prepared and taking everything seriously, which is exactly what they want to see. Think of it as getting a free hour with a career coach who has insider knowledge about your local job market. You're going to do great tomorrow!

I had my RESEA appointment about 3 weeks ago and wanted to share since yours is tomorrow! Everyone's advice here is spot-on - it really is more like getting free career counseling than being interrogated. My counselor was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable about the current job market. We spent about 15 minutes going through my job search records (I kept mine in a simple spreadsheet with dates, companies, positions, and how I applied), then the rest of the hour was focused on improving my strategy. She actually helped me realize I was underselling myself in my applications and gave me specific tips for highlighting transferable skills. We also talked about industries adjacent to my field that I hadn't considered, which opened up a lot more opportunities. The only follow-up task she gave me was to attend a virtual job fair next month, which she said often leads to actual interviews since employers are actively hiring at these events. One practical tip: I had my job search spreadsheet open in one browser tab and my CalJOBS profile in another, which made it easy to reference both during our discussion. Also, having a notepad ready was helpful since she gave me several specific company names and resources to follow up on. You sound incredibly well-prepared with your consistent applications and good record-keeping. The fact that you're proactively seeking advice shows exactly the kind of initiative they want to see. You're going to do fantastic tomorrow - looking forward to hearing how it goes!

Just wanted to add my experience from my RESEA appointment last month! I was super nervous beforehand too, but it turned out to be really helpful. My counselor was genuinely interested in helping me succeed and spent about an hour going over my job search strategy. We reviewed my job search log (I kept mine in a basic Excel file with dates, companies, positions, and application methods), but she spent most of the time giving me practical advice about my search. She helped me identify some skills gaps I could address and suggested a few industry certifications that would make me more competitive. One thing that really stood out was how much she knew about local hiring trends and which employers were actively recruiting. She even connected me with a recruiter who specializes in my field. The follow-up assignment was pretty manageable - I had to complete an online career assessment and attend a virtual networking workshop. Both were actually useful and not just busy work. My advice: treat it like you're meeting with a career coach rather than being audited. Come with specific questions about your job search challenges - they have access to resources and data that can really help. Also, definitely test your tech setup beforehand! You sound like you're already doing everything right with your consistent applications and good documentation. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how supportive the whole experience is. Good luck tomorrow!

I had my RESEA appointment about 2 weeks ago and wanted to jump in to hopefully ease some of your anxiety! Reading through all these responses brought back my experience, and everyone is absolutely right - it's way more supportive than scary. My counselor was really professional and spent most of the 45-minute session actually helping me improve my job search approach. We went through my job search records pretty quickly (maybe 10 minutes), then she spent the rest of the time giving me specific advice about my field and local market conditions. What surprised me most was how current her knowledge was about hiring trends and which companies were actively recruiting. She actually gave me contact info for a workforce development specialist who helps people in my industry, which I never would have known about otherwise. The technical side went smoothly - just make sure you test everything beforehand like others mentioned. She assigned me to complete an online skills assessment within 2 weeks, which actually helped me identify some areas where additional training could make me more competitive. One tip I'd add: if you've done any continuing education, online courses, or professional development during your unemployment (even free YouTube tutorials), definitely mention it! They really appreciate seeing that you're staying current and working to improve your skills. You sound incredibly well-prepared with your consistent job applications and detailed records. The fact that you're seeking advice and taking this seriously shows exactly the right attitude. You're going to do great tomorrow - I'm sure it will be a positive experience!

I had my RESEA appointment about 5 weeks ago and wanted to share my experience since yours is tomorrow! I was really nervous beforehand too, but it ended up being one of the most helpful conversations I've had during my job search. My counselor was incredibly knowledgeable and spent about 50 minutes with me. We quickly reviewed my job search activities (I kept mine in a simple Google Sheets document with dates, companies, positions, and application methods), but most of our time was focused on strategy improvement. What really impressed me was how she helped me reframe my experience for different types of roles. She pointed out transferable skills I hadn't been highlighting and suggested some job titles I hadn't been searching for that were actually a perfect fit for my background. She also shared some insider knowledge about local employers - which ones were growing, which had high turnover (meaning more opportunities), and even which ones to avoid due to poor company culture. This kind of market intelligence was invaluable. My follow-up assignment was to complete a virtual workshop on professional networking, which actually taught me some techniques I've been using successfully since then. One practical tip: have a glass of water nearby during the call. I got a bit nervous talking and my mouth got dry halfway through! Also, I'd suggest jotting down 2-3 specific challenges you're facing in your search to ask about. You're clearly well-prepared and proactive - exactly what they want to see. Think of it as getting an hour of free career coaching from someone who really knows the local job market. You've got this! Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

I had my RESEA appointment about a month ago and wanted to share my experience to help calm your nerves! I was super anxious beforehand too, but it turned out to be genuinely helpful rather than intimidating. The counselor was really professional and knowledgeable about the local job market. We spent maybe 15 minutes going through my job search records (I had them in a simple spreadsheet organized by date), then the rest of the 45-minute session was focused on improving my search strategy. What really stood out was how she helped me identify some remote opportunities I hadn't considered and gave me specific tips for following up on applications. She also connected me with a virtual job fair happening next month that focuses on my industry. My follow-up assignment was to complete an online workshop about using professional social media effectively, which was actually pretty useful and took about 2 hours to complete. A couple practical tips: definitely test your video connection beforehand, have your job search records easily accessible on your computer, and maybe prepare 1-2 specific questions about challenges you're facing. They really do have great resources and market knowledge to share. You sound like you're already doing everything right with your consistent applications and good record-keeping. Try to think of it as getting free career counseling rather than being evaluated. You've got this! Good luck tomorrow and let us know how it goes.