How to submit work search for unemployment - NYS Department of Labor weekly certification help

You need to keep detailed records of ALL your job search activities, not just what you report on your weekly claim. NYS Department of Labor requires you to make at least 3 job contacts per week, but you should be doing more than that anyway. For each contact, you need to record: employer name, contact method (online application, in-person, phone), date, position applied for, and result. Keep this in a job search log - you can download the official form from the NYS Department of Labor website or use your own format. When you file your weekly certification, you only report 3 of your contacts, but if they audit you, they'll want to see records of everything.

Yes exactly what the previous person said. I learned this the hard way when I got selected for a work search review last year. They wanted to see 12 weeks worth of detailed job search records and I only had what I reported on my weekly claims. Had to scramble to reconstruct everything from my email and browser history. Now I use a spreadsheet with columns for date, company, position, how I applied, contact person if I have one, and follow-up notes. Make sure you're also including networking activities, job fairs, career workshops - those count too as long as you document them properly.

ugh this system is so confusing! why dont they just tell you this stuff upfront instead of making you figure it out?? ive been on unemployment for 2 months and just found out about keeping the extra records

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about work search requirements, I had good luck using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get connected to actual agents instead of sitting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped me when I needed clarification about what activities counted toward my work search requirement and whether I was documenting everything correctly.

Just want to add that online applications definitely count as valid job contacts. Some people think they need to be calling or visiting in person but that's not true anymore. As long as you're applying through legitimate job sites like Indeed, company websites, LinkedIn, etc. and you document the employer name, position, and date, you're good. I've been doing mostly online applications for my 3 weekly contacts and never had any issues.

Thanks everyone this is really helpful! I'm going to start keeping better records starting this week. Better late than never I guess.

One thing I wish I'd known earlier is that you should also keep copies or screenshots of your job applications when possible. I got audited last month and they wanted proof that I actually submitted applications to the employers I listed. Luckily I had email confirmations for most of them, but a few companies don't send those automatically. Now I take a screenshot of the "application submitted" page every time just to be safe. Also, if you apply through a recruiter or staffing agency, make sure to record the agency name AND the client company if you know it - that way you have more detailed records if they ask follow-up questions.