PA UC job search requirements: Do I have to apply through PA CareerLink or can I use other sites?

You absolutely do NOT have to apply through PA CareerLink! Any legitimate job application counts toward your work search requirements. Just make sure you're keeping detailed records of your work search activities (date of application, employer name, position, how you applied, etc.) since PA UC can audit you and ask for proof. You need at least one work search activity per week, but I recommend doing more just to be safe.

just make sure ur saving proof of everything u apply to!! they randomly check and if u cant prove it they can make u repay benefits its happened to my cousin

The PA UC system is so frustrating with these requirements!! I registered with CareerLink too and the jobs were completely irrelevant to my field. I spent HOURS applying to jobs that weren't even close to my experience just to check the box. Then my claim examiner told me ANY job search counts as long as you document it!!! Why don't they make this clearer on their website?? Such a waste of time and added stress when you're already dealing with unemployment.

To be absolutely clear about PA UC work search requirements: 1. You must complete at least one work search activity per week 2. Applying through CareerLink is just ONE option, not the only option 3. Other qualifying activities include: - Applying directly to employers via their websites - Using job search sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster - Attending job fairs - Taking a civil service test - Creating a profile on a job search website Just make sure you document everything: date, employer name, position, method of contact, website used, etc. Keep this documentation for at least 2 years after your benefit year ends since they can audit you. I help people navigate these requirements professionally, so I'm 100% certain about this information.

When i was on UC last year i never used CareerLink after the initial registration. Applied thru Indeed and company websites for everything. Had no issues with my benefits. Just keep good records!

If you're having trouble reaching someone at UC to get clarification on this (like I did), I found a service called Claimyr that actually got me through to a real person at PA UC in about 20 minutes instead of spending days hitting redial. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. Their website is claimyr.com - it was honestly worth it to get an official answer about my job search requirements directly from UC. The agent I spoke with confirmed that applications through any legitimate channel count toward work search.

I used to work at CareerLink back in 2021 and we were constantly telling people they could use ANY job search method to meet UC requirements. The only requirement is registration with CareerLink, not actually using it to apply. But soooo many people are confused about this because the UC instructions are written poorly.

One more thing worth mentioning - if you're in healthcare admin, have you tried looking at the PA state jobs website? They often have decent-paying administrative positions at state hospitals and healthcare facilities that might match your background better than what you're finding elsewhere. Just another option to consider while you're job hunting!

Hey everyone! I'm new to PA unemployment and this thread has been SO helpful - I was totally stressing about the same thing. I registered with CareerLink a few days ago and was wondering if I had to use only their site. Reading through all your responses, it sounds like I can use Indeed and company websites too, which is such a relief! I've been keeping a detailed log in Excel with all the info mentioned (dates, company names, positions, how I applied, etc.). One question though - does networking count as a work search activity? Like if I reach out to former colleagues or contacts on LinkedIn about potential opportunities? Thanks for sharing all this info, it's way clearer than anything I found on the official PA UC website!

Just wanted to jump in and say this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm also new to PA unemployment and was getting really confused by all the mixed information I was hearing. It's such a relief to know that I don't have to rely only on CareerLink - I've been having the same experience where most of the jobs listed there don't match my background at all. I work in marketing and was getting discouraged seeing mostly warehouse and retail positions. Now I feel much more confident applying through Indeed and company websites directly. I've already started keeping a detailed spreadsheet like others mentioned here. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - it's making this whole process so much less stressful!

I'm also new to PA unemployment and was really panicking about this exact issue! I've been on unemployment for about 3 weeks now and registered with CareerLink like required, but honestly the job listings there are terrible for my field (I'm in IT). I was so worried I'd mess up my benefits by not using their system exclusively. This thread is such a relief - I've been applying through Indeed, LinkedIn, and directly on company websites but was stressed that it wouldn't count. I've been keeping detailed records in a Google Sheet with all the info everyone mentioned (dates, companies, positions, application method, etc.) plus I take screenshots of confirmation pages when I apply online. It's honestly shocking how unclear the official PA UC materials are about this - they really should spell out that ANY legitimate job search activity counts, not just CareerLink. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, this community is way more helpful than trying to navigate the confusing official website!

I'm also new to PA unemployment and just joined this community - what a lifesaver this thread has been! I filed my claim about 2 weeks ago and have been so confused about the work search requirements. Like everyone else here, I registered with CareerLink but the job matches are awful for my background (I'm in graphic design). I was getting really anxious thinking I HAD to apply through their system to meet the requirements. Reading through all these responses has been such a huge relief! I've actually been applying to jobs on Behance, Dribbble, and creative agency websites directly, but was worried those wouldn't count. Now I know I just need to keep documenting everything properly. I started a spreadsheet this week with all the details you all mentioned - dates, company names, positions, how I applied, etc. It's honestly frustrating how unclear the official PA UC information is about this. They really should make it crystal clear that ANY legitimate job search counts, not just CareerLink applications. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences - this community is providing way better guidance than anything I've found on the official websites!

I'm also brand new to PA unemployment and this entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! I just filed my claim last week and was having a complete meltdown about the work search requirements. Like so many others here, I registered with CareerLink as required but was horrified to see that most of the job listings were completely irrelevant to my field (I'm in digital marketing). I honestly thought I was going to have to apply to random retail jobs just to meet the requirements, which felt so demoralizing. Reading everyone's experiences here has been such a weight off my shoulders - I had no idea that applications through Indeed, LinkedIn, and company websites would count! I've already been applying to marketing positions through those platforms but was terrified it wouldn't count toward my work search. I immediately started a detailed Excel spreadsheet after reading this thread with dates, company names, positions, application methods, and I'm taking screenshots of everything. It's honestly mind-boggling how unclear the official PA UC website is about this - they really need to spell out that ANY legitimate job search activity counts, not just CareerLink. This community is providing clearer guidance than anything I could find through official channels. Thank you all so much for sharing your real experiences and taking the stress out of this confusing process!

I'm also completely new to PA unemployment and just discovered this community - what a relief to find this thread! I filed my initial claim just a few days ago and have been absolutely stressed about the work search requirements. Like everyone else here, I dutifully registered with CareerLink but was shocked to see how few relevant positions there were for my background (I'm in financial analysis). I was starting to think I'd have to apply to completely unrelated jobs just to check the box, which felt so discouraging when I'm already dealing with the stress of being unemployed. Reading through all of your experiences has been such a huge comfort - I had no idea that I could use Indeed, company websites, and LinkedIn to meet the requirements! I've actually been applying through those platforms already because that's where the relevant finance jobs are, but I was worried it wouldn't count. I'm going to start keeping the detailed documentation that everyone mentioned right away - dates, companies, positions, application methods, etc. It's really frustrating that the official PA UC materials don't make this clearer. Thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences and making this process so much less intimidating for newcomers like me!

I'm also brand new to PA unemployment and just stumbled across this thread - thank you everyone for such detailed responses! I literally filed my claim yesterday and was already panicking about the work search requirements after registering with CareerLink. Like so many others here, I was dismayed to find that most of the job listings had nothing to do with my background (I'm in software development). I was genuinely worried I'd have to start applying to warehouse jobs just to meet the weekly requirements, which felt so defeating. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring - I had no idea that applications through GitHub Jobs, Stack Overflow Jobs, and company career pages would count toward the work search requirements! I've been using those platforms exclusively since they're where the actual tech jobs are posted. I'm going to immediately start the detailed documentation system that everyone recommended - spreadsheet with dates, company names, positions, application methods, plus screenshots of confirmations. It's honestly shocking how poorly the official PA UC website explains these requirements. They really should clarify that ANY legitimate job search activity counts, not just CareerLink applications. This community is providing way clearer guidance than anything I could find through official channels. Thanks for making this whole confusing process much more manageable for newcomers like me!

I'm also completely new to PA unemployment and this thread has been absolutely incredible! I just filed my claim this week and was having a total panic attack about the work search requirements. Like everyone else, I registered with CareerLink but was horrified to see that 90% of the listings were retail, food service, or warehouse jobs that pay half what I made in my previous role (I'm in HR consulting). I was literally losing sleep thinking I'd have to apply to jobs at McDonald's just to keep my benefits! Reading through all of your experiences has been such a massive relief - I had no idea that LinkedIn, Indeed, and direct company applications would count! I've actually been applying through those platforms all week because that's where the actual professional HR jobs are posted, but I was terrified none of it would count toward my work search. I'm starting my documentation spreadsheet tonight with all the details everyone mentioned - this community has taught me more in one thread than hours of trying to decipher the confusing official PA UC website. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences and saving newcomers like me from unnecessary stress and confusion!