What happens at NY unemployment mandatory RESEA appointment? Got my first one tomorrow

I had mine last month! It's not as scary as it sounds. They basically just want to make sure you're actively looking for work and following the requirements. Have your work search records ready (at least 3 per week) and an updated resume. They'll ask about your job search strategy, what kinds of positions you're looking for, and any barriers to employment you might have. They might suggest some resources or workshops, but they're not going to force you into a job you don't want. The appointment only took about 60 minutes for me.

just had mine yesterday. mostly a waste of time tbh. they just check boxes and read from scripts. make sure u have ur work search ready or theyll give u a hard time

RESEA is just another hoop they make you jump through!! I had my appointment in January and the career counselor spent half the time lecturing me about how I needed to "broaden my horizons" and consider jobs outside my field. Like I haven't been trying?!? They made me sign up for 2 workshops I didn't need and had to waste MORE time attending. Just nod and agree with whatever they say so you don't risk your benefits!!!

The RESEA program is designed to help claimants return to work more quickly. According to NY DOL statistics, those who participate in RESEA typically find employment 2-3 weeks faster than those who don't. During your appointment, you should have ready: 1. Your work search record with detailed information (dates, company names, position titles, application methods, contact information, and follow-up actions) 2. Current resume 3. List of questions regarding your job search 4. Any job offers you've received or interviews scheduled They'll verify your continued eligibility and help identify potential barriers to employment. Most appointments last 45-75 minutes. Be honest about your job search efforts - misrepresentation can result in benefit disqualification.

My RESEA appointment was actually last week but I missed the call because it came from some random number I didn't recognize. Turns out they do call from that 888 number they mentioned but my phone showed it as "Potential Spam" lol. Had to reschedule and was worried they'd cut off my benefits but they were understanding. Just make sure you're ready to answer when they call!

I had the worst time trying to connect with them for my RESEA! They kept calling exactly at the scheduled time but the call would drop immediately. After trying to reach someone at NYSDOL for THREE DAYS with no luck, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual person in 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE. Got my RESEA rescheduled and everything worked out. The actual appointment was pretty straightforward - resume review, work search verification, and some job suggestions. Just be prepared in case you have technical difficulties!

I've been through two RESEA appointments since starting my claim in January. Here's what happened in mine: - First call was about 50 minutes, second was shorter (about 30 min) - They verified my ID by asking personal questions - Reviewed my work search records in detail (they picked random weeks to check) - Asked about my previous employment and skills - Helped revise my resume (actually got some good tips) - Assigned me to a virtual workshop on interview skills - Gave me links to industry-specific job boards They're mostly checking that you're actively searching and meeting requirements. Be honest, have your records organized, and you'll be fine. The career counselors genuinely want to help - they're not trying to catch you doing something wrong.

anybody know if u can reschedule these things? got mine next week but just got an interview scheduled for same time

UPDATE: Just had my RESEA appointment and wanted to share how it went! It lasted about 55 minutes. The career counselor was actually really nice and helpful. She: - Verified my identity (asked for last 4 of SSN and DOB) - Reviewed my work search activities (seemed pleased with my documentation) - Asked about my skills and previous experience - Gave me feedback on my resume (suggested I quantify my achievements more) - Recommended two job boards specific to my industry - Assigned me to a LinkedIn optimization workshop next week Overall, it was much less stressful than I expected! She wasn't pushy about taking any job - she actually encouraged me to focus on positions that match my skills. Thanks everyone for your advice and helping me prepare!

Thanks for the update Samantha! This is really helpful for those of us still waiting for our first RESEA appointment. I'm curious - did they give you any specific timeline for when you might have your next appointment? Also, did the career counselor mention anything about what happens if you find a job before your next scheduled RESEA? I'm hoping to land something soon and wondering if I need to notify them or if the appointment just gets cancelled automatically.

I just had my RESEA appointment last week and wanted to add a few tips that helped me prepare! Beyond having your work search records ready, I'd recommend preparing a brief summary of your job search strategy and any challenges you're facing. My counselor really appreciated that I came prepared with specific questions about my industry and was able to have a more targeted conversation. Also, don't stress too much about having every detail perfect - they understand that job searching can be overwhelming and they're there to help, not judge. The appointment actually motivated me to be more strategic about my search. One thing I wasn't expecting was that they asked about my availability for work and any scheduling constraints, so be ready to discuss your flexibility. Good luck to everyone still waiting for their appointments!

As someone who just went through the RESEA process last month, I wanted to share a few additional insights that might help newcomers prepare. The most important thing is to stay organized and honest about your job search efforts. I created a simple spreadsheet tracking all my applications with dates, company names, positions, and follow-up status - this made the conversation flow much smoother. One thing that surprised me was how much they focused on my long-term career goals rather than just pushing any available job. My counselor actually helped me identify some skills gaps and recommended free online courses through the NY Career Zone website. The whole experience felt more like career coaching than an interrogation. For anyone feeling anxious about it, remember that these counselors genuinely want to help you succeed - they're measured on how many people they help get back to work, not on how many people they disqualify from benefits. Come prepared with questions about your industry and be open to their suggestions, even if some seem obvious at first.

I had my RESEA appointment about 3 weeks ago and wanted to add my perspective! The whole thing was actually pretty painless once I got over my initial nerves. My counselor spent a lot of time asking about what specific types of roles I was targeting and why, which helped me realize I had been casting too wide a net in my applications. She suggested I focus on quality over quantity - applying to fewer jobs but tailoring my applications more carefully. One tip that really helped me prepare was printing out my work search log beforehand so I could reference it easily during the call. They also asked about any certifications or training I might want to pursue, and provided some resources for free programs through SUNY. The LinkedIn workshop they assigned me to was actually really valuable - I learned about using keywords in my profile that I hadn't thought of before. Overall, treat it as a free career consultation rather than something to dread. These counselors see hundreds of job searchers and have a lot of practical insights to share if you're open to hearing them!

Just wanted to jump in as someone who's been following this thread while waiting for my first RESEA appointment to be scheduled. I filed my unemployment claim about 10 days ago and got the notification that I'd be contacted for a RESEA appointment soon. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful and honestly a huge relief! I was getting really anxious about it after seeing some negative posts on other forums, but it sounds like most people have had pretty reasonable experiences. I'm definitely going to start organizing my work search records in a spreadsheet format like several people suggested - that seems like it would make the whole process much smoother. Also planning to prepare some thoughtful questions about my industry (marketing/digital advertising) and maybe research those NY Career Zone resources that were mentioned. Thanks to everyone who shared their detailed experiences, especially the recent updates. It's so helpful to have realistic expectations going in rather than just worrying about the unknown!

I'm scheduled for my first RESEA appointment next week and this entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! As someone who just joined this community after filing my claim two weeks ago, I can't tell you how much anxiety this has relieved. I was honestly terrified after reading some horror stories elsewhere online, but seeing everyone's mostly positive experiences here has completely changed my perspective. I've already started creating that spreadsheet everyone mentioned to track my job applications - such a smart suggestion! I'm in the finance industry and feeling much more confident now about discussing my job search strategy and career goals rather than just worrying they'll pressure me into any random job. Special thanks to Samantha for starting this discussion and for the detailed update after your appointment - that play-by-play was exactly what I needed to know what to expect. And thank you to everyone else who shared their practical tips and honest experiences. This community is amazing!

Just wanted to add my voice to this incredibly helpful thread! I'm brand new to this community and filed my unemployment claim about a week ago. Like many others here, I was really anxious about the RESEA process after getting that notification, but reading through everyone's detailed experiences has been such a relief. The consistent advice about organizing work search records in a spreadsheet format is gold - I've already started implementing that system. I'm in the education field (former teacher looking to transition into corporate training) and I'm actually feeling optimistic now about getting tailored career advice rather than just being pushed into any available job. It's amazing how much this thread has shifted my mindset from dreading the appointment to viewing it as a valuable resource. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences - this kind of peer support is exactly what people need when navigating unemployment for the first time!

I'm completely new to unemployment benefits and just filed my claim yesterday after being laid off from my software engineering position. This entire thread has been absolutely incredible for preparing me mentally for what's ahead! I was honestly panicking when I saw the RESEA notification in my paperwork, but reading through everyone's real experiences has transformed my anxiety into actual preparation. The spreadsheet tracking system that multiple people mentioned seems like such a no-brainer - I'm starting that immediately. As someone in tech, I'm curious if anyone has experience with how they handle industry-specific job searches, especially given how specialized some software roles can be. I'm hoping they'll understand that I can't just apply to any random office job and will help me focus on positions that actually match my skills. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories - this community support is exactly what I needed right now!

I'm brand new to this community and just filed my unemployment claim three days ago after being unexpectedly laid off from my project management role. Reading through this entire thread has been such a blessing - I went from complete panic about the RESEA appointment to actually feeling prepared and even a little optimistic! The consistent advice about creating a spreadsheet to track job applications is brilliant and I've already started implementing that system. What really stands out to me is how everyone emphasizes that the counselors genuinely want to help rather than just check boxes or catch you doing something wrong. As someone who's never been unemployed before, I was terrified they'd pressure me into taking any random job, but it sounds like they actually provide valuable career guidance tailored to your specific field and goals. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their detailed experiences - this thread should be required reading for anyone starting the unemployment process! The support and practical advice here has made such a difference in my mindset.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has shared their RESEA experiences in this thread! I'm completely new to unemployment benefits (just filed my claim two days ago after being laid off from my accounting position) and I was honestly having panic attacks about the RESEA appointment notification I received. Reading through all of these detailed, honest experiences has completely transformed my anxiety into actual preparation and even some optimism! The consistent advice about organizing work search records in a spreadsheet is something I'm implementing immediately, and hearing that the counselors are generally supportive and industry-aware rather than just trying to push any random job has been such a relief. As someone in finance/accounting, I was terrified they'd pressure me into unrelated roles, but it sounds like they actually provide valuable, tailored career guidance. This community is amazing - the peer support here is exactly what people need when navigating this process for the first time. I feel so much more prepared and confident now!