Do I have to look for a job while on unemployment - NYS Department of Labor requirements unclear

Wait, 3 activities per week? That seems like a lot. What if I can't find 3 jobs to apply for in my field? Do other things count besides just applications?

I've been doing online applications mostly. Does updating my LinkedIn profile count as one of the activities? And what about reaching out to recruiters on there?

I understand it's frustrating, but the NYS Department of Labor does allow for reasonable job search efforts. You don't have to accept unsuitable work, but you do need to show you're actively looking. If you're in a specialized field, document your efforts even if opportunities are limited.

Never heard of that service before. Did they charge you anything? I've been trying to call for days about my own questions.

Yeah there's a fee but honestly worth it when you can't reach anyone otherwise. Way less stress than redialing for hours.

This is really helpful! I didn't realize virtual career workshops and informational interviews counted. I've been stressing about finding enough job applications each week. The spreadsheet idea is great too - I was just keeping loose notes. Do you know if there's a specific format the DOL prefers for record keeping, or is any detailed log okay as long as it has dates and employer info?

@Elijah Knight Any detailed log should work fine as long as you include the required info - employer name, contact method, date, position applied for, etc. The DOL doesn t'specify a particular format, just that you need to be able to provide documentation if audited. I ve'seen people use everything from simple notebooks to apps like Google Sheets. The important thing is consistency and having all the details they might ask for. Also wanted to mention that if you do get selected for an audit, they usually give you reasonable time to submit your records, so don t'panic if it happens.

From my experience, the DOL doesn't require a specific format - any detailed log works as long as you have the key info (date, employer/activity, contact method, position/type of activity). I actually started with a basic notebook but switched to a spreadsheet because it's easier to search if they ever audit. Just make sure you include enough detail to prove it was a legitimate work search activity. Some people use the DOL's suggested work search record form, but it's not mandatory.

@Elijah Knight From my experience, the DOL doesn t'require a specific format for your work search log - any detailed record works as long as it includes the essential info. I keep track of date, employer/organization name, contact method online (application, email, phone ,)position title, and any follow-up actions. Some people use the DOL s'suggested work search record form, but a simple Excel sheet or even handwritten notes are fine. The important thing is being able to show your activities if they request documentation during an audit. I also save confirmation emails from job applications and screenshots of online submissions just to be extra safe.

@Elijah Knight Any detailed log should work fine - the DOL doesn t'require a specific format. Just make sure you include the date, employer/organization name, method of contact online (application, phone call, email, etc. ,)position title, and a brief description of the activity. I keep mine in a simple Excel sheet with columns for each of these details. The important thing is that you can show documentation if they ever audit your claim. Some people use the NYS.gov work search log template, but honestly any organized record-keeping system works as long as it s'complete and accurate.

@Elijah Knight The DOL doesn t'require a specific format, but they do want detailed records. Your spreadsheet should include: employer name, contact method phone/email/in-person (,)date, position title, and type of activity. I also add a notes column for follow-ups or responses. The important thing is being able to prove your efforts if they audit your claim. As long as you have all those key details organized and dated, you should be fine. Some people use the DOL s'suggested work search log form, but any organized system works!

@Elijah Knight The DOL doesn t'require a specific format for your work search log, but they do want certain details included. Your spreadsheet should have columns for date, employer/company name, contact method online (application, phone call, email, etc. ,)position title, and any follow-up actions. I also add a notes column for things like attended "virtual job fair or" informational "interview with HR manager. As" long as you can show the who, what, when, and how of each activity, you should be covered if they ever audit your claim. The key is being consistent and keeping everything organized so you can easily reference it when filing your weekly claims.

@Elijah Knight The DOL doesn t'require a specific format, but your log should include: employer name, position title, date of activity, method of contact online, (phone, in-person ,)and any follow-up actions. I keep mine simple - just a basic spreadsheet with those columns. What s'most important is being consistent and thorough. I also save copies of job applications and confirmation emails when possible. During my UI audit last year, they were satisfied with my basic Excel sheet as long as all the key details were there.

@Elijah Knight The DOL doesn t'require a specific format for your work search log, but they do want to see certain key details documented. Your spreadsheet should include: date of activity, employer/organization name, contact person if (applicable ,)type of activity application, (interview, workshop, etc. ,)position title or description, and method of contact. I keep mine simple with columns for each of these fields. What matters most is that you can show consistent effort and provide specific details if they audit your claim. Some people use the DOL s'suggested format from their website, but any organized system that captures all the required info works fine.

@Elijah Knight The DOL doesn t'require a specific format, but they do want to see key details: employer name, position title, date of contact, method online (application, phone call, etc. ,)and any follow-up actions. Your spreadsheet should be fine as long as it s'organized and shows you re'meeting the 3 activities per week requirement. I keep mine simple with columns for Date, Company, Position, Contact Method, and Notes. The important thing is being able to show a consistent pattern of job search efforts if they ever audit your claim. Also, save any confirmation emails from applications or screenshots of job board submissions as backup documentation.

@Elijah Knight The DOL doesn t'require a specific format for your work search log, but they do want to see certain key details documented. Your spreadsheet should include: date of activity, employer/organization name, contact person if (applicable ,)type of activity application, (networking, etc. ,)position title or type of opportunity, and method of contact. I keep mine simple with columns for each of these elements. The important thing is that it s'organized and shows you re'making genuine efforts. During an audit, they mainly want to verify that you re'actually doing the activities you re'claiming, so having contact info and specific details helps prove legitimacy.

@Elijah Knight Any detailed log should work fine as long as it includes the required info - employer/contact name, date, position/activity type, and method of contact. I don t'think there s'a specific DOL format they require, but having it organized in a spreadsheet makes it easy to reference if they ever audit your claim. I include columns for company name, contact person, date, job title, how I applied online, (email, phone ,)and any follow-up actions. Better to have too much detail than not enough!

Any detailed log should be fine as long as it includes the essential info - date, employer/contact name, position or activity type, and method of contact. I don't think there's a specific DOL format required, but make sure you can easily reference everything if they audit your claim. My spreadsheet has columns for: Date, Company/Organization, Contact Person, Position Title, Type of Activity (application, networking, workshop, etc.), and Notes. Keep it simple but thorough!

@Elijah Knight The DOL doesn t'require a specific format for your work search log - any detailed record works as long as it includes the required info. I keep mine simple with columns for date, employer/activity, contact method, position/type of activity, and any follow-up needed. The important thing is being able to show your 3 weekly activities if they audit your claim. I ve'heard some people just use a notebook, but I find the spreadsheet easier to organize and reference later.

@Elijah Knight Any detailed log should work fine as long as you include the key information - date, employer/organization name, contact method, position or activity type, and outcome. I ve'never heard of the DOL requiring a specific format. My spreadsheet just has columns for Date, Activity Type, Company/Organization, Contact Person, Method phone/email/online (,)Position Title, and Notes. Some people use the work search log template that s'on the NYS DOL website, but a simple Excel sheet or even handwritten notes work as long as everything is documented clearly. The important thing is being able to show your activities if they audit your claim.

@Elijah Knight From my experience, the DOL doesn t'require a specific format - any detailed log works as long as it includes the essential info. I keep track of employer name, contact method, date, position applied for, and any follow-up actions. Some people use the state s'work search record form, but a simple spreadsheet or even handwritten notes are fine. The important thing is being consistent and thorough because they can request to see your records during an audit. I d'also recommend saving screenshots or confirmation emails from online applications as backup documentation.