Work search requirements for new EDD claim - how many jobs and how often?

Congrats on getting your claim approved! For the work search requirements, you need to make at least 3 job contacts per week. When you certify for benefits every two weeks, you'll need to report your work search activities for each week. EDD won't send you a confirmation about CalJOBS registration - the important thing is that you can log in and your resume is uploaded. Make sure you're keeping track of all job applications with the company name, position, date applied, and contact method (online, in-person, etc.). EDD can audit your work search activities at any time, so having good records is important. If you're having trouble reaching EDD to confirm anything, check out Claimyr.com - they helped me get through to an EDD agent when I had questions about my work search requirements. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km that shows how it works. Saved me hours of redial frustration!

theres no specific # officially but they usually say 3 is good. dont worry too much they hardly ever check that stuff unless theres a reason to flag ur account. ive been on ui twice and never had issues. just make sure u certify on time thats the main thing!

Actually, this is incorrect information that could get the OP in trouble. EDD DOES require you to make a good faith effort to find work each week. While they don't always specify an exact number, 3 work search activities per week is the generally accepted minimum. And they absolutely DO audit work search records - I've been through it myself. To the OP: Different activities count as work search efforts: - Applying for jobs (online or in-person) - Attending job interviews - Registering with placement agencies - Attending job fairs - Participating in workshops - Networking events related to your field Keep detailed records of ALL activities. Date, company name, position, contact person, method of contact, and result. EDD can request this information up to 3 years after you receive benefits.

When I was on EDD last year I got so stressed about this same thing!!! The whole system is designed to be confusing I swear. I ended up applying to like 7 jobs a week because I was paranoid lol. Better safe than sorry though. And be careful with your certifications - answer the questions EXACTLY as they're written or you might get stuck in pending!

For tracking your job search activities, I recommend a simple spreadsheet with these columns: 1. Date of activity 2. Company name 3. Position title 4. Method of contact (online app, email, phone, in-person) 5. Website/location/contact info 6. Result/follow-up This covers everything EDD might ask for during an audit. I've been through three unemployment claims and this system works perfectly. Regarding job fairs and networking events - yes, these count! Make sure to get business cards or some kind of proof you attended. For online applications, take screenshots as proof. The minimum is considered 3 activities per week, but I always recommend doing more if possible. And NEVER skip a week - that's the fastest way to trigger a determination interview about your eligibility.

Am I the only one who thinks its RIDICULOUS that EDD makes us jump through all these hoops?? I got laid off after 14 YEARS at my company - not my fault! Now I gotta prove I'm looking for work every single week when there are barely any jobs in my field? The whole system is broken. My cousin in Nevada said their unemployment system is way simpler and they don't hassle you nearly as much. California EDD is just trying to deny benefits any way they can!!!

To answer your certification question: On the UI Online certification forms, you'll just need to answer "Yes" to the question asking if you looked for work. You don't enter the specific job details during regular certification. HOWEVER, you should keep your detailed records because: 1. EDD may send you a DE 4365REV form at any time requesting your work search details 2. If you get scheduled for an eligibility interview, they'll ask about your job search activities 3. During quarterly reviews, some claims are randomly selected for work search verification The online certification just asks if you looked for work and if you refused any work - pretty simple. But having those detailed records ready is what saves you if they ever question your eligibility.

Just wanted to add that my friend got audited last month and they specifically asked for details about his work search from 6 months ago! He couldn't remember all the places he applied and almost lost his benefits. Don't be like my friend - keep those records organized from day one! Also, about CalJOBS - make sure your resume there is actually current. They do sometimes check that you're using the system. I log in once a week just to do a quick job search so it shows activity on my account.

when i was on unemployment during covid we didnt have to search for jobs at all but now its back to normal requirements which is good i guess. the economy is different now so we should all be looking anyway. just make sure u apply to jobs ur actually qualified for because if you get offered one and turn it down edd can cut u off just fyi

The employer will report to EDD if you refuse suitable work. They have a financial incentive to do this since unemployment claims can affect their experience rating (which determines how much they pay into the unemployment insurance system). I would recommend keeping your job search focused on positions you would actually accept. It saves everyone time and prevents potential eligibility issues down the road.

One thing I wish someone had told me when I started collecting unemployment is to save screenshots of your job applications! I learned this the hard way when EDD asked for proof of a specific application I made 4 months earlier. The company's website no longer showed my application in their system, and I almost had issues because of it. Also, don't stress too much about the CalJOBS registration - as long as you can log in and your profile is complete, you're good. I never got any confirmation email either, but it hasn't been a problem. Just make sure to update your resume there occasionally and maybe browse jobs once a week to show activity. You've got this! The first few weeks feel overwhelming but once you get into a routine it becomes much easier. The fact that you're asking these questions shows you're taking it seriously, which is the most important thing.

Hey Keisha! Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been navigating EDD for the past few months. The work search requirements can definitely feel daunting at first, but once you get into a rhythm it becomes much more manageable. A few things that have helped me: **Weekly Planning:** I aim for 4-5 job contacts per week to stay above the minimum. I usually do 2-3 online applications, attend one networking event or job fair if available, and maybe register with a new staffing agency or follow up on previous applications. **CalJOBS Activity:** I log in every few days just to browse and save a couple job postings to my favorites. This shows ongoing activity in case they ever check. No confirmation email is totally normal - you're good as long as you can access your account. **Documentation:** I keep a Google Sheet with tabs for each week. Columns include date, company, position, contact method, website/location, and any follow-up notes. Takes maybe 5 minutes per application to log but saves so much stress later. **Manufacturing Focus:** Since you mentioned manufacturing, definitely check out Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and company websites directly. A lot of manufacturing companies prefer direct applications through their career pages rather than third-party sites. The anxiety about messing up and losing benefits is so real - I felt the same way! But honestly, as long as you're making a genuine effort to find work and keeping records, you'll be fine. The fact that you're asking these questions shows you're taking it seriously, which is what matters most. Feel free to reach out if you have more questions as you get started!