How to register for work for unemployment benefits - NYS Department of Labor requirements?

Thank you! So jobs.labor.ny.gov is the right site? I was worried I was looking at the wrong thing. Do I need to apply for jobs through their system too or just register?

Yes, after you register for work you need to conduct at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. The activities can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or using the NYS jobs portal. You don't have to submit the log unless NYS Department of Labor asks for it during an audit, but you need to keep detailed records with dates, company names, and contact information.

Ugh I've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for days to ask about this but can never get through! The phone lines are always busy and when I do get in the queue I get disconnected after waiting for an hour. Anyone know a better way to reach them?

I had the same problem with their phone system until someone told me about claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you get through to NYS Department of Labor agents. I was skeptical at first but tried it when I needed help with my adjudication issue and actually got connected to someone in like 15 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration dealing with their busy phone lines.

Thanks for the detailed info about the resume upload! I'm just starting this process and wondering - do they review the resume you upload or is it mainly just to have something on file? Also, when you mention using their job portal applications as part of the 3 weekly activities, does that mean I should focus on applying through their system rather than company websites directly?

@Malik Thomas From my experience, they don t'really review the resume in detail - it s'more about having one on file to show you re'work "ready. As" for the job search activities, you can mix it up! I usually do 1-2 applications through their portal since (it automatically logs in their system and) then 1-2 applications on company sites directly. Just make sure to keep detailed records of the direct applications with company names, dates, and job titles for your personal log. The NYS portal applications are convenient because they count toward your requirement and are already tracked, but don t'limit yourself to just those - the job selection there can be pretty limited depending on your field.

@Malik Thomas From my experience, they don t'really review the resume in detail - it s'more of a requirement to have one on file to show you re'work "ready. As" for the job search activities, you can mix it up! I usually do 1-2 applications through the NYS jobs portal and 1-2 through company websites directly. Just make sure to log everything with dates and details. The portal applications are convenient because they automatically track some of your activity, but don t'limit yourself to just their listings since many companies post elsewhere too. The main thing is hitting that 3 activities per week and keeping good records.

@Malik Thomas From my experience, they don t'really review the resume in detail - it s'more about having it on file to show you re'available "for work. As" for the job search activities, you can mix it up! I usually do 1-2 applications through their portal which (automatically logs in your search record and) then 1-2 applications directly to companies. Just make sure to keep detailed records of the direct applications since those won t'auto-log. The NYS system counts networking, job fairs, and even informational interviews as valid search activities too, so you have flexibility in how you meet the 3 weekly requirement.

@Malik Thomas From my experience, they don t'really review the resume content - it s'more of a checkbox requirement to show you re'work "ready. As" for the job search activities, you can mix and match! I usually did 1-2 applications through their portal since (it s'easy to track and) 1-2 through company websites directly. Just make sure to keep detailed records of everything - company name, position, date, method of contact. The NYS Department of Labor audits are random but thorough, so having good documentation is key. Their portal jobs tend to be more government/public sector focused, so don t'limit yourself to just that.

@CosmicCruiser might have better insight, but from my experience the resume is mainly for file purposes - they don't seem to actively review it unless there's an issue with your claim. As for the job applications, you can mix both! I typically do 1-2 applications through the NYS portal and 1-2 directly with companies. Just make sure to log everything properly - company name, position, date, and method of contact. The direct company applications often feel more effective anyway since the NYS portal jobs can be pretty outdated like Carter mentioned.

@Malik Thomas From my experience, they don t'really review the resume in detail - it s'more about having it on file to show you re'work "ready. As" for the job search activities, you can mix it up! I usually do 1-2 applications through the NYS portal and 1-2 through company websites directly. The important thing is keeping detailed records of each activity - date, company name, position, how you applied, etc. The NYS portal applications are convenient because they automatically generate some of that documentation for you, but applying directly to companies often feels more effective for actually getting responses. Just make sure whatever mix you choose adds up to at least 3 activities per week and you document everything properly!

@Malik Thomas From my experience, they don t'really review your resume in detail - it s'more about having it on file to show you re'work "ready. As" for the job search activities, you can mix it up! I usually did 1-2 applications through their portal and 1-2 through company sites directly. Both count toward your weekly requirement as long as you log them properly with company names, dates, and position titles. The NYS system actually makes it easier to track since applications through jobs.labor.ny.gov get automatically logged, but applying directly to companies often gives you better response rates. Just make sure whatever you do, you keep detailed records for each activity!