How to get back into work after long term unemployment - NYS Department of Labor job search requirements
I've been collecting unemployment for almost 18 months now and I'm honestly scared about getting back into the workforce. My benefits are running out soon and I know the NYS Department of Labor job search requirements are pretty strict but I feel like I've lost all my confidence. Has anyone else dealt with this kind of anxiety about returning to work after being unemployed for so long? I keep applying for jobs but I feel like employers see the gap and immediately dismiss me. What did you do to rebuild your skills and confidence?
12 comments
Join the conversation
Carmen Lopez
First off, 18 months isn't as long as you think in today's job market. Many employers understand that finding work has been challenging. Focus on updating your skills through free online courses - you can count these toward your job search activities for NYS Department of Labor requirements. LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and even YouTube have great professional development content. Also consider volunteer work in your field to fill the gap and show you've stayed active.
0 coins
Yuki Ito
•That's actually really helpful. I didn't know volunteer work could count toward the job search log. Do I need to document that differently when I file my weekly claims?
0 coins
AstroAdventurer
I was out of work for 14 months and felt the same way. What helped me was starting with temp work or part-time positions. It got me back into a work routine without the pressure of a permanent commitment. Plus you can still collect partial unemployment benefits while working part-time as long as you report your earnings correctly on your weekly claims.
0 coins
Andre Dupont
•This is smart advice. I did the same thing and it actually led to a full-time offer at one of the temp places.
0 coins
Zoe Papanikolaou
If you're having trouble reaching someone at NYS Department of Labor about work search requirements or partial benefits, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a real person. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of being on hold when I needed to verify my eligibility for working part-time while collecting.
0 coins
Yuki Ito
•Interesting, I've never heard of that. Did they charge you or was it free?
0 coins
Zoe Papanikolaou
•They do charge but it was worth it to actually talk to someone instead of calling 50 times a day and getting hung up on.
0 coins
Jamal Wilson
ugh I feel this so hard. been out of work for 8 months and every rejection email makes me want to give up. the worst part is when they ask about the gap in interviews like its some kind of personal failing
0 coins
Carmen Lopez
•Have a positive explanation ready for the gap. Something like 'I took time to reassess my career goals and develop new skills' sounds much better than 'I couldn't find work.' Practice explaining it confidently.
0 coins
Mei Lin
Just wanted to say you're not alone in this. The job market is brutal right now and long-term unemployment is more common than people want to admit.
0 coins
Liam Fitzgerald
One thing that helped me was reaching out to my old network. I was embarrassed at first but people were surprisingly understanding and helpful. Sometimes it's not about what you know but who you know, especially when you're trying to explain an employment gap.
0 coins
Chloe Green
I'm in a similar situation - been unemployed for about 10 months and the anxiety is real. One thing that's helped me is treating job searching like a part-time job itself. I block out 4-5 hours each weekday for applications, networking, and skill building. It makes me feel more productive and gives structure to my days. Also, I started a simple spreadsheet to track my applications and any responses - it helps me see that I am making progress even when it doesn't feel like it. The NYS DOL portal lets you log these activities easily for your weekly claims. Don't give up - we're all in this together.
0 coins