Why is unemployment low but I still can't find work - NYS Department of Labor claim questions
I keep hearing on the news that unemployment is really low right now but I've been looking for work for 6 months and still collecting benefits. Filed my claim back in July and have been doing my weekly certifications religiously, following all the job search requirements. Applied to probably 200+ jobs in my field (marketing) and barely getting callbacks. My NYS Department of Labor case worker keeps telling me the job market is great but that's not matching my experience at all. Anyone else dealing with this disconnect? Starting to wonder if there's something wrong with my approach or if the low unemployment numbers don't tell the whole story.
10 comments
Join the conversation
Harper Thompson
The unemployment rate only counts people actively looking for work, not people who've given up searching or are underemployed. Also doesn't account for quality of jobs available - lots of low-wage positions inflating the numbers. Keep documenting your job search activities for NYS Department of Labor and consider expanding your search criteria if possible.
0 coins
Lucas Bey
•That makes sense about the statistics. I've been pretty specific about salary requirements - maybe I need to be more flexible there.
0 coins
Caleb Stark
omg yes!! everyone keeps saying how easy it is to find work but ive been unemployed since august and nothing. getting really tired of people acting like im not trying hard enough
0 coins
Jade O'Malley
If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor directly about your job search strategy, I had good luck with a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to actual agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Helped me when I needed to discuss my work search requirements with someone who could give real guidance.
0 coins
Hunter Edmunds
•How much does that cost? I'm already stretched thin on unemployment benefits.
0 coins
Jade O'Malley
•They focus on the value of actually reaching an agent rather than costs. Worth checking their site for details - saved me weeks of trying to get through on my own.
0 coins
Ella Lewis
Same boat here friend. Been collecting since September and the 'hot job market' feels like a myth. Applied to everything from my usual role down to entry level and still nothing. Starting to think the low unemployment numbers are because people are taking jobs way below their qualifications just to survive.
0 coins
Andrew Pinnock
The NYS Department of Labor statistics can be misleading because they don't capture the full picture. Many people are working multiple part-time jobs instead of one full-time position, or accepting significant pay cuts. The 'quality' of employment matters as much as the quantity. Have you considered updating your resume format or trying different job boards?
0 coins
Lucas Bey
•Good point about resume format. I've been using the same template for years - probably time to modernize it.
0 coins
Brianna Schmidt
ugh this is so frustrating!! my dad keeps asking why i cant just get any job since unemployment is so low but he doesnt understand that most openings are either MLM scams or paying like $12/hour with no benefits
0 coins