Confused about PA UC work search requirements - how to properly log applications on CareerLink?

You're doing fine! You DON'T have to apply through CareerLink for jobs to count toward your work search requirements. You can apply anywhere (Indeed, company websites, LinkedIn, etc.) and they all count as valid applications. The important part is keeping track of them. The UC-304 form you're using is exactly the right way to document everything. Keep filling that out each week with your 2+ job applications and 1+ work search activity. Uploading it to your Documents in the UC portal is also correct. When you file your weekly claim, you'll be asked if you completed your work search activities - just answer yes as long as you did the minimum requirements. Keep those UC-304 forms for your records because UC might audit you later and ask for proof. But you don't need to do anything special in CareerLink itself to track these activities.

dont overthink it just apply to jobs and keep a list. they barely ever check this stuff unless they audit u. i been on UC 3 times and they never once asked me to prove my job searches lol

Here's the official requirements broken down simply: 1. You must complete at least 2 job applications and 1 work search activity each week 2. Job applications can be through ANY method (CareerLink, Indeed, direct to employer, etc.) 3. Work search activities include things like attending job fairs, creating/posting resumes, taking job skills workshops, etc. 4. You must DOCUMENT all of this using the UC-304 form or similar record 5. Keep this documentation for AT LEAST 2 YEARS after filing You do NOT need to record these in CareerLink specifically. The system will ask you during your weekly certification if you met the requirements - just answer honestly. If you're still having trouble reaching someone at UC to confirm this, I'd recommend trying Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a service that helps you get through to PA UC agents quickly instead of dealing with busy signals and disconnections. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. I used them when I had questions about my work search requirements and got through to a real person in about 20 minutes.

OK so I had same problem when I first started UC in January. What confused me was the PA CareerLink says "record your job search activities here" but then there's no obvious place to do it! So frustrating! I just keep an Excel spreadsheet with all my applications and activities, plus I save all confirmation emails from jobs I apply to. When I certify each week I just say YES to the work search question. Been working fine for me since January.

Does anyone know if attending online webinars about career development count as a work search activity??? I found some free ones on Youtube but idk if those count officially or if they have to be through CareerLink specifically???

The Pennsylvania UC system is DELIBERATELY CONFUSING about this requirement. They don't make it clear how to properly document work searches because they WANT people to mess up so they can deny benefits. It's absolutely infuriating. I got audited last year and even though I had been doing MORE than the required job searches, they initially denied my claim because I didn't have the EXACT documentation format they wanted. I had to appeal and it was a nightmare. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING IN EXCRUCIATING DETAIL if you don't want to be screwed over later!!!

Thank you all so much for your help! I feel much better about this now. I'm going to: 1. Continue filling out the UC-304 form each week with all my job applications and work search activities 2. Save confirmation emails and screenshots as proof 3. Upload the completed form to my UC portal documents section 4. Answer "yes" to the work search question during weekly certification 5. Keep all these records for at least 2 years I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain this to me. The UC system is so confusing when you're new to it!

One thing I'd add that helped me a lot - take screenshots of your job applications when you submit them! Especially for Indeed and LinkedIn where the confirmation emails can be pretty basic. I screenshot the "application submitted" page that shows the company name, job title, and date. This has been super helpful when filling out my UC-304 form because I have all the details right there. Also, if you apply directly through a company website, screenshot that confirmation page too. It takes an extra 10 seconds but gives you solid proof of every application you've made.

Just wanted to add another tip that saved me during my audit - create a folder in your email specifically for job search stuff! I forward all my job application confirmations, rejection emails, interview requests, everything to one dedicated folder. This way when you're filling out your UC-304 form, you can quickly reference the exact details without digging through your entire inbox. Also, if you get called for an interview or get a rejection email, make sure to note that outcome on your UC-304 form in the "result" section. It shows you're actively following up on your applications and UC likes to see that kind of detail during audits.

I've been on PA UC for about 6 months now and wanted to share something that really helped me stay organized with work search requirements. I use a simple Google Doc where I track everything in real time. Every time I apply for a job, I immediately add a row with the company name, job title, date applied, method (Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.), and any confirmation details. For work search activities, I do the same thing - if I attend a webinar, update my resume, or go to a networking event, I log it right away with the date and details. Then at the end of each week, I just transfer everything from my Google Doc to the UC-304 form. This way I never forget details or have to dig through emails later. The key is doing it in real time instead of trying to remember everything at the end of the week. It only takes 30 seconds per application but saves me so much stress when it's time to file my weekly claim. Plus if I ever get audited, I have a complete digital record with timestamps that backs up my UC-304 forms.

I'm also new to PA UC (just started 2 weeks ago) and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was making the same mistake of thinking I had to apply through CareerLink for jobs to count. One question I have - for the work search activities, does job interview preparation count? Like if I spend time researching a company before an interview or practice answering common interview questions? I've had a few interviews lined up and I'm spending significant time preparing for them, but I wasn't sure if that qualifies as a valid work search activity for the UC-304 form. Also, @Aliyah Debovski - you mentioned you went to a resume workshop at the library, which is definitely a great work search activity! I've been looking for similar local resources. Did you find that through your local library's website or just by calling them directly?

I just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through a work search audit last year - it's really not as scary as it sounds if you're prepared! I got the audit letter about 8 months after I finished my UC claim, and they gave me 21 days to provide documentation for all my work search activities during a specific 6-week period. Since I had been using the UC-304 form and keeping all my confirmation emails/screenshots like everyone here is suggesting, I was able to provide everything they requested. I submitted copies of my completed UC-304 forms, confirmation emails from job applications, screenshots of application submissions, and certificates from online career workshops I attended. The whole audit process took about 3 weeks from start to finish, and they approved everything without any issues. The key things they were looking for were: 1) Evidence I actually applied to the jobs I claimed, 2) Documentation that my work search activities were legitimate, and 3) That I met the minimum requirements each week. My advice: don't stress too much about getting audited, but do take the documentation seriously. The UC-304 form really is your best friend - it has all the fields they want to see, and if you fill it out completely and keep supporting evidence, you'll be fine. Better to spend a few extra minutes each week documenting properly than to panic later if you get selected for an audit!

As someone who's been through this exact same confusion, I want to emphasize something that really helped me understand the system better: the PA UC work search requirements are actually pretty flexible once you know what counts. I've been tracking my activities for about 4 months now, and here's what I've learned works well: networking events (even virtual ones), setting up job alerts on multiple sites, updating your LinkedIn profile, reaching out to former colleagues about opportunities, and even informational interviews all count as valid work search activities. One thing that saved me time was creating a simple template email for following up on applications after a week or two. Not only does this sometimes lead to responses from employers, but the follow-up itself counts as additional work search activity that you can document on your UC-304 form. Also, don't forget that volunteer work related to your field can sometimes count as work search activity too - especially if it's helping you build skills or network with potential employers. Just make sure to document how it relates to your job search goals. The most important thing is consistency. I set aside time every Sunday to plan out my work search activities for the week and every Friday to document everything I completed. This routine has made the whole process much less stressful and ensures I never miss the requirements.

I'm also dealing with this exact same confusion! Just started my UC claim 2 weeks ago and I've been so worried about messing up the work search requirements. Reading through everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea that applications through Indeed and LinkedIn counted just as much as CareerLink applications. I've been overthinking this so much, spending hours trying to figure out how to properly record things in the CareerLink system when apparently I just needed to focus on the UC-304 form. It's frustrating how unclear the instructions are when you're already stressed about being unemployed. Quick question for anyone who might know - if I apply to multiple positions at the same company (like different locations or departments), does each application count separately toward my 2 weekly applications? Or do they consider that as just one application to that employer? Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and tips. This community is a lifesaver for navigating this confusing system!

I've been on PA UC for about 2 months now and wanted to share something that really helped me stay on top of the work search requirements - I created a simple weekly checklist that I print out each Sunday. It has spaces for: - 2+ job applications (with company name, position, date applied) - 1+ work search activity (workshop, networking, resume update, etc.) - Notes section for any follow-ups or interviews I keep it on my desk and fill it out as I go throughout the week. Then on Friday, I transfer everything to the UC-304 form and file it away. This has eliminated so much of the weekly scramble and panic I used to have about whether I was meeting requirements. Also, one tip I wish someone had told me earlier - if you're struggling to find enough legitimate work search activities each week, most community colleges offer free career workshops that count. Things like "Interviewing Skills," "Job Search Strategies," or "LinkedIn Optimization" workshops. Many are offered virtually now too, so you don't even have to travel. I've attended several and they actually helped my job search while fulfilling the requirements. The documentation really isn't as scary as it seems once you get into a routine with it!

I'm in a very similar situation - just started my UC claim about a month ago and was completely overwhelmed by the work search requirements at first! This thread has been incredibly helpful in clearing up my confusion. One thing I'd add that's been working well for me is setting up a dedicated bookmark folder in my browser for job search sites and career resources. I have quick links to Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, company career pages I check regularly, and even local workforce development websites. This makes it much faster to apply to jobs throughout the week instead of having to search for the same sites over and over. Also, I discovered that many libraries offer free access to premium job search resources like JobNow or LearningExpress that you can't get elsewhere. These often include career assessments, interview prep tools, and skill-building courses that all count as valid work search activities. Just need your library card number to access them from home! @Aliyah Debovski - you're definitely on the right track with your documentation approach. The stress gets much more manageable once you establish a routine with the UC-304 forms and realize how many different activities actually count toward the requirements.

I just wanted to say how grateful I am for all the detailed responses here! As someone who's been stressing about this exact issue, reading everyone's experiences and practical tips has been such a relief. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone had success with using temp agencies as part of their work search activities? I registered with a couple of staffing agencies last week and I'm wondering if that initial registration counts as a work search activity, and then if following up with them weekly would count as additional activities? I'm thinking it could be a good strategy since temp agencies often have multiple job openings, so even if one placement doesn't work out, they might have other opportunities. Plus the ongoing relationship with the agency could provide regular work search activities for the UC-304 form. Thanks again to everyone who shared their systems and experiences - I'm definitely implementing the Google Doc tracking system and weekly checklist approach that several people mentioned!

I'm also new to PA UC (started about 5 weeks ago) and went through this exact same confusion! The system really doesn't explain things clearly at all. What helped me was realizing that the UC-304 form is basically your lifeline - that's the only documentation that really matters. I keep a simple notebook where I jot down every application I submit throughout the week (company name, job title, date, where I applied), plus any workshops or career activities I do. Then every Friday I transfer it all to the UC-304 form and save it in a folder on my computer. For work search activities, I've found that updating your resume counts, so does setting up new job alerts on different sites, attending virtual career fairs, and even watching career-related YouTube videos (as long as they're legitimate career development content). I usually do a mix of online workshops through my local workforce development center and simple things like optimizing my LinkedIn profile. The key thing I learned is that you DON'T need to use CareerLink to apply for jobs - you can apply anywhere and it counts the same. Just keep good records and you'll be fine. The weekly certification question is really just asking "did you do the minimum required activities?" not "did you use our specific system?" You're definitely on the right track with the UC-304 form and saving confirmation emails!