NYS Department of Labor phone interview questions - what to expect during unemployment claim review?

The phone interview is usually pretty straightforward - they'll ask about why you left your last job, whether you were fired or quit, if there was any misconduct involved. They also ask about your availability to work and if you're actively looking for jobs. Make sure you have your employment dates and employer contact info ready. The key is just being honest and consistent with what you put on your initial application.

they asked me about my job search activities too like what websites im using and if ive applied anywhere specific. also wanted to know about any income ive had since filing even if its just a few hours here and there

I had one of these interviews last year. The interviewer was actually pretty nice, not intimidating at all. They asked me to walk through exactly what happened in my last few weeks at work, whether I received any warnings or write-ups, and if I had any documentation about my separation. They also verified my personal information and asked about my work history for the past 18 months. The whole thing took about 20 minutes.

Getting through to NYS Department of Labor for these interviews can be such a hassle sometimes. I missed my first scheduled call because they called from a blocked number and I thought it was spam. Had to reschedule and wait another week. If you're having trouble reaching them or need to talk to someone about your claim status, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you through to a real person at NYS Department of Labor. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.

Just went through this whole process myself! They definitely ask about your reason for separation - be super specific about dates and what exactly happened. They might ask if you tried to resolve any issues with HR or management before leaving. Also prepare for questions about your work schedule and if you were considered full-time or part-time. Oh and they'll want to know about any severance pay or vacation payout you received.

ugh the unemployment system is so stressful. why do they make it so complicated just to get benefits we paid into?? but yeah they asked me about whether i quit or got fired and wanted like every detail about my last day

Don't stress too much about it! I just had mine last month and it was way less scary than I expected. The interviewer was professional and patient. They asked about my job search efforts - like how many applications I've submitted per week and what methods I'm using (online job boards, networking, etc.). They also wanted to know if I've turned down any job offers and why. One thing that helped me was writing down key dates and details beforehand - like my last day of work, any final conversations with my boss, and a timeline of events. Having that info ready made me feel more confident and the conversation flowed better. You've got this!

I had my phone interview about 6 weeks ago and it was actually pretty painless! They asked me to confirm my personal info first, then went through my work history for the past year and a half. The main focus was on why I separated from my last job - they wanted specific details about what led up to it and whether I had any advance notice. They also asked about my availability to work (days, hours, any limitations) and what I've been doing to look for work since filing. One tip - if you mention any medical issues or restrictions, be prepared to explain how they might affect your ability to work. The interviewer took notes throughout and asked follow-up questions to clarify things. Took about 25 minutes total. Just be honest and stick to the facts - they're not trying to trick you, they just need to verify your eligibility. Good luck!

I just went through this interview process two weeks ago and wanted to share what helped me prepare. They definitely ask about your separation reason, but they also dig into your current availability and job search efforts. One thing I wasn't expecting was that they asked me to describe a typical week of my job search activities - not just whether I was looking, but HOW I was looking and how much time I was spending on it. They wanted to know about any networking I was doing, if I was working with recruiters, attending job fairs, etc. They also asked if I had any pending job applications or interviews scheduled. My advice is to actually keep a simple log of your job search activities even if it's basic - dates you applied places, which websites you used, any contacts you reached out to. It shows you're taking the work search requirement seriously. The whole thing took about 30 minutes and the interviewer was very matter-of-fact, not intimidating at all. You'll do fine as long as you're honest and prepared!

I had my phone interview about 3 months ago and it was honestly much less stressful than I built it up to be in my head! The interviewer started by confirming my basic info (address, phone, etc.) then asked about my last job - when I started, what my role was, and the circumstances around leaving. They wanted to know if I received any written notices or if there were any performance issues. They also asked about my availability to work (full-time vs part-time, any scheduling restrictions) and what steps I've been taking to find new employment. One thing that caught me off guard was they asked if I had any upcoming travel plans or anything that might interfere with accepting a job offer. The whole conversation was very professional and the interviewer explained that they were just gathering information to complete my claim review. It took about 20-25 minutes and I got my determination letter about a week later. Just be honest and don't overthink it - they're not trying to catch you in a lie, they just need to verify the information you provided matches up. You'll do great!

I had my phone interview about 6 months ago and wanted to add a few things that really helped me feel prepared. Beyond the basics everyone mentioned about separation reason and job search activities, they also asked me about any unions I might have been part of and whether I received any final paychecks or benefits after my last day of work. They wanted to know the exact dollar amounts of my final pay too. One thing that really put me at ease was that the interviewer actually started by explaining the purpose of the call and letting me know it was just a standard part of the process - not because there was any problem with my claim. They also told me at the beginning that I could ask them to repeat any question if I didn't understand it clearly. My biggest advice is to speak slowly and clearly since it's over the phone, and don't be afraid to take a moment to think before answering. The interviewer was patient and gave me time to gather my thoughts. The whole thing felt very routine and professional, nothing like an interrogation. You're going to do fine!

I just had my phone interview last week and wanted to share what really helped me prepare! Beyond all the great advice here about job separation and search activities, they also asked me about my wage history - specifically my earnings in the base period they used to calculate my benefits. Make sure you have your pay stubs or tax documents handy because they might ask you to verify the amounts they have on file. They also asked if I had any dependents and whether my spouse was working (this can affect benefit calculations). One thing that surprised me was they asked about my education level and any professional licenses or certifications I have - I think they use this info to understand what types of jobs you're qualified for. The interviewer was really thorough but not at all aggressive about it. They even thanked me at the end for being prepared and cooperative! The key is just having all your employment and financial info organized beforehand. Don't worry too much - it sounds way scarier than it actually is. Most of us here got through it just fine and you will too!