NYS Department of Labor job search requirements - what counts and what doesn't?
I'm really confused about the NYS Department of Labor job search requirements for my weekly claims. I've been unemployed for 2 months and I'm supposed to be looking for work but I'm not sure what actually counts as a valid job search activity. I applied to a few places online but haven't heard back from anyone. Do I need to keep a log of every application? What if I can't find 3 jobs to apply to in my field each week? I'm worried about getting disqualified if I'm not doing this right. Can someone explain what the NYS Department of Labor actually requires?
12 comments
Join the conversation
Louisa Ramirez
You absolutely need to keep detailed records! NYS Department of Labor requires 3 work search activities per week. This includes job applications, networking contacts, job fairs, interviews, etc. Keep a log with employer names, dates, contact info, and what type of activity it was. They can audit your work search at any time.
0 coins
Marilyn Dixon
•Thanks! Do online applications count the same as in-person ones? And what if I apply through Indeed or other job sites?
0 coins
TommyKapitz
been doing this for months and its such a pain... you gotta document everything or theyll come after you later. i just apply to random stuff online to meet the requirement honestly
0 coins
Angel Campbell
•That's not a good idea. NYS Department of Labor can verify your applications and if they find you're not genuinely seeking work in your field, you could face disqualification. Better to expand your search criteria or consider related positions than submit fake applications.
0 coins
Payton Black
The whole system is ridiculous. They expect you to apply to 3 jobs every single week when there aren't even 3 decent openings in some fields. Meanwhile they take forever to process claims and you can't even get through on the phone to ask questions!
0 coins
Harold Oh
•I had the same frustration trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor about my work search requirements. I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Finally got clarification on what activities count.
0 coins
Payton Black
•Never heard of that but anything's better than sitting on hold for 4 hours just to get disconnected
0 coins
Amun-Ra Azra
I'm in the same boat! Been applying but mostly getting automated rejections. Does attending virtual job fairs count? What about reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn? I'm trying to be legitimate about this but it's hard to find enough opportunities each week.
0 coins
Louisa Ramirez
•Yes, both of those count! Virtual job fairs are work search activities, and contacting recruiters counts as networking. Just make sure to document the recruiter's name, company, date of contact, and how you reached out.
0 coins
Summer Green
same here just applying to anything to check the boxes
0 coins
Ava Garcia
I've been dealing with NYS unemployment for about 6 months now and learned the hard way about documentation. Here's what I found works: Online applications absolutely count - just save screenshots or confirmation emails. For job sites like Indeed, make sure you note the specific employer name, not just "applied through Indeed." Also, informational interviews count as networking activities, and so does attending career workshops or webinars. I use a simple spreadsheet with columns for date, employer/contact, position, method of contact, and any follow-up. The key is being able to show genuine effort - they care more about quality searches in your field than just hitting random apply buttons.
0 coins
Mei Lin
•This is really helpful advice! I'm new to the unemployment process and have been stressed about doing everything correctly. Quick question - when you mention informational interviews, how do you typically set those up? Do you just reach out to people in your industry via LinkedIn or email? And do you need any special documentation for those beyond noting the contact and date?
0 coins