PA CareerLink job listings showing outdated positions - affecting work search requirements?
I'm trying to meet my weekly work search requirements for PA unemployment but I've noticed something weird with CareerLink. Almost all the job listings I'm finding are showing dates from 3-6 months ago! I applied to 5 different positions last week and got responses saying they've already filled the positions months ago. This is making it really hard to meet the genuine 'apply to 2 jobs per week' requirement. Has anyone else noticed this problem? Are these outdated listings still counting toward my work search activities? I'm worried about getting flagged for not meeting requirements when I'm actually trying! Should I be documenting these expired listings somehow as proof I'm trying? The system seems broken and I don't want my benefits to get messed up because of it.
17 comments
Join the conversation
Diego Rojas
Yes!! I've been dealing with this exact issue since January. The CareerLink system is terrible about removing old listings. What I've started doing is calling the company before applying to verify the position is still open. Saves me time filling out applications for jobs that don't exist anymore. For your work search requirement, you don't actually need to apply to 2 jobs every week. You need to complete 2 "work search activities" which can include: - Attending job fairs - Creating or posting resumes - Contacting employers - Taking civil service tests - Using the employment resources at PA CareerLink offices I've been tracking everything in a spreadsheet with details about each activity just in case I get audited. Been on UC since November and haven't had any issues yet.
0 coins
Chloe Martin
•Thank you so much for clarifying! I didn't realize there were other activities that count. That's a huge relief. I've been stressing about finding enough current openings to apply to. I like your idea about calling first - never thought of that! Do you know if attending the virtual workshops through CareerLink counts as an activity?
0 coins
Anastasia Sokolov
omg yes!! sooo frustrating when u spend 45 min on an application only to get an auto email saying position filled in DECEMBER!!! careerlink needs to fix this asap
0 coins
StarSeeker
•It's by design - they keep outdated listings to make it look like there are more jobs available than there really are. The whole system is rigged against claimants IMO. They want to make it LOOK like you're not trying when in reality they're setting you up for failure. I got denied benefits last year because I couldn't prove I applied to enough jobs, even though half the listings I tried were already filled!!!
0 coins
Sean O'Donnell
You're absolutely right about the CareerLink listings being outdated. This is a known issue that's been happening for years. The good news is that UC understands this problem and they won't penalize you for applying to positions that turn out to be filled. Just make sure you're documenting everything properly. For each work search activity, record: - Date of activity - Type of activity (application, resume submission, etc.) - Employer name and contact information - Position applied for - Method of application (online, in-person) - Result (if any) Also, be aware that different types of unemployment claims might have slightly different work search requirements. Standard UC requires the two activities per week, but some special programs have additional requirements. Finally, using the PA CareerLink website itself counts as one of your weekly activities, even if you don't actually apply for a job through it. Just be sure to log your time on the site.
0 coins
Chloe Martin
•Thank you for the detailed response! I had no idea that using the CareerLink website counts as an activity - that's really helpful. I've been documenting everything but wasn't including all those details, so I'll make my tracking more thorough. Is there a specific form or format UC prefers for tracking work search activities?
0 coins
Zara Ahmed
I struggled with reaching anyone at PA Unemployment to ask about this exact issue! After getting endless busy signals for 3 days, I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to a UC rep in about 20 minutes. The rep confirmed that applying to jobs that turn out to be filled still counts for work search requirements as long as you believed they were active when applying. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 The rep also told me they recommend using other job sites besides CareerLink - Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, etc. show more current listings.
0 coins
Anastasia Sokolov
•does this claimyr thing actually work?? i've been calling for 2 weeks and can't get thru!
0 coins
Zara Ahmed
•It worked for me! I was skeptical at first but I was desperate after trying for days. Got through to a real person who actually helped resolve my question about the work search requirements. Definitely better than getting busy signals all day.
0 coins
Luca Esposito
I had this same issue last month when my car broke down and I couldn't afford to fix it. I needed to find a job closer to home but all the listings were old. I went to my local PA CareerLink office in person and they helped me find current openings that weren't even listed online yet! Might be worth visiting in person if you can.
0 coins
Chloe Martin
•That's a great suggestion! There's a CareerLink office about 15 miles from me. I didn't even think about going in person. Did you need an appointment or could you just walk in?
0 coins
Luca Esposito
•I just walked in! They were really helpful. The career counselor I talked to said they get access to new job openings before they hit the website. She also showed me how to filter the online search better to find newer listings. Good luck!
0 coins
Nia Thompson
Try using the "posted within" filter on CareerLink - it helps a little but not completely. I've had better luck with Indeed for my work search. Remember to check the "date posted" on any job listing. Current PA work search rules: - Must complete 2 qualified activities per week - Must accept suitable work if offered - Must keep records of all work search activities for 2 years (in case of audit) - Must register with PA CareerLink within 30 days of initial UC application Don't forget that applying to jobs posted on Facebook jobs, company websites, or even inquiring about positions in person all count! The job doesn't have to come from CareerLink.
0 coins
StarSeeker
•The filter doesn't work! I set it to "past 7 days" and STILL got listings from 4 months ago. The whole system is trash.
0 coins
Nia Thompson
•You're right that the filter isn't perfect. I've had that happen too. That's why I switched to mainly using Indeed and just logging my CareerLink usage as one of my activities. The important thing is documenting everything in case UC asks for proof later.
0 coins
Sean O'Donnell
To answer your question about a specific form - PA UC doesn't require a specific form for tracking work search activities. However, they do provide an optional form called "UC-304 Record of Job Applications and Work Search Activities" that you can download from their website. Using this form ensures you're capturing all the information they might ask for in an audit. If you're filing online, you'll notice they only ask you to certify that you completed the activities, not to enter details. But keep your records safe because they do conduct random audits where they'll request your detailed work search information. Regarding the virtual workshops - yes, attending CareerLink workshops (virtual or in-person) absolutely counts as a work search activity! Many claimants don't realize this, but it's one of the easiest ways to fulfill the requirement.
0 coins
Chloe Martin
•This is so helpful! I just found and downloaded the UC-304 form. It has exactly the fields you mentioned earlier. I'll start using this going forward instead of my makeshift tracking. And I'm going to sign up for some virtual workshops right away. Thanks again for all the information!
0 coins