NYS Department of Labor benefits while searching for the right job - unemployment that occurs when people take time to find a job
I've been getting unemployment benefits for about 6 weeks now and I'm starting to worry about the job search requirements. I know NYS Department of Labor wants us to actively look for work, but honestly I'm being selective about what positions I apply to. I have 15 years of experience in marketing and don't want to just take any minimum wage job. My savings can cover the gap for now, but I'm wondering if this counts as the type of unemployment that occurs when people take time to find a job that actually matches their skills? Has anyone else dealt with this situation? Am I risking my benefits by not taking the first offer that comes along?
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Tony Brooks
You're describing what economists call 'frictional unemployment' - unemployment that occurs when people take time to find a job that matches their qualifications. NYS Department of Labor understands this concept. As long as you're meeting your weekly work search requirements (3 job contacts per week) and documenting them properly, you're fine. The key is showing you're genuinely looking within your field and skill level. Don't feel pressured to take a job that's significantly below your qualifications unless your benefits are about to run out.
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Jade Lopez
•Thank you! That's exactly what I needed to hear. I've been keeping detailed records of all my applications and I am applying to relevant positions. Just wasn't sure if 6 weeks was too long.
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Ella rollingthunder87
I had the same concern when I was on UI last year. I was in IT and there were plenty of retail jobs available but I kept looking for something in my field. Took me 4 months but I found a great position. NYS Department of Labor never gave me any trouble as long as I was meeting the work search requirements. The system recognizes that unemployment that occurs when people take time to find a job is normal and even beneficial for the economy.
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Yara Campbell
•4 months?? That makes me feel better. I'm only at 2 months and was starting to panic.
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Isaac Wright
Just make sure you're not being TOO picky though. I've seen people lose their benefits because they kept turning down 'suitable work.' NYS Department of Labor does have guidelines about what constitutes suitable employment based on your previous wages and experience.
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Jade Lopez
•What exactly defines suitable work? I've been avoiding anything that pays less than 75% of my previous salary.
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Tony Brooks
•Generally, after the first few weeks, work paying at least 80% of your previous wage is considered suitable. After 13 weeks, it drops to about 70%. But these are guidelines - each case is individual.
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Maya Diaz
Ugh the whole system is so stressful! I keep getting paranoid that I'm doing something wrong with my job search log. But you're right that unemployment that occurs when people take time to find a job is totally normal. I had trouble even getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my claim last month.
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Ella rollingthunder87
•If you need to actually talk to someone at NYS Department of Labor, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting disconnected.
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Maya Diaz
•Thanks! I'll check that out. The phone system is impossible to navigate.
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Tami Morgan
Been there! The job market is tough right now and it's totally reasonable to take time finding the right fit. That's literally what unemployment benefits are for - to give you breathing room to find appropriate work rather than just grabbing whatever's available out of desperation.
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