PA UC job search requirements - What exactly counts as a CareerLink activity?

Hey there! So PA CareerLink activities can include several things: 1. Attending a PA CareerLink workshop (virtual or in-person) 2. Meeting with a career counselor 3. Taking an assessment on the CareerLink site 4. Participating in a job fair 5. Taking a training through CareerLink 6. Posting or updating your resume on the PA CareerLink site And yes, uploading your resume DOES count as an activity, but only the first time you do it. After that, you need to do something different each week. The online workshops are great because they're easy to access and definitely count. Just make sure you're keeping a record of everything you do (date, time, and type of activity).

What a nightmare this system is!!! I got my benefits STOPPED last month because apparently the job search worksheet I submitted didn't have the right "type" of CareerLink activity. I had done a resume review with some career advisor but that didn't count because it wasn't through their official system or something?? The whole thing is designed to trip people up if you ask me. Make SURE whatever you do is actually through their official channels and documented in their system.

The CareerLink workshops usually last between 45 min to 2 hours depending on which one you choose. I found the "Effective Job Search Strategies" one pretty helpful actually, and it was about an hour. You can sign up through your CareerLink dashboard, and they'll email you a confirmation that you can save for your records. Just be sure to actually attend and participate because some of them take attendance or have exercises you need to complete.

I had the same confusion when I first started claiming! What worked for me was going to my local PA CareerLink office in person. The staff there was really helpful and walked me through everything. They have computers there you can use if needed, and they can help you register for workshops right on the spot. Much easier than trying to figure it out online where the instructions aren't clear. Also, if you're having trouble getting through to someone at UC to ask questions about this or any other issues with your claim, I recently discovered a service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual UC representative in about 20 minutes instead of spending days trying. You can check out how it works at claimyr.com or watch their demo video: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. It really saved me a lot of frustration when I had questions about my work search requirements.

One thing nobody mentioned is that you can also count job search prep activities like working on your LinkedIn profile or attending networking events. Just make sure to document everything CAREFULLY. I write down all the details in a notebook + take screenshots. You never know when they might audit you and ask for proof of your activities. Better safe than sorry!

so do u have to do this careerlnk thing EVERY single week? i thought once u register thats it

Update: I attended the "Effective Resume Writing" workshop through CareerLink yesterday and it was actually pretty helpful! It was about 90 minutes long and the instructor confirmed it counts as my CareerLink activity for the week. For anyone else wondering, they're currently offering a ton of virtual workshops so you don't even need to go to a physical location. Just make sure you register through your CareerLink account so it's properly tracked in the system.

Just want to add that if you're claiming benefits for a while, try to vary your CareerLink activities. I've heard from a career advisor that they like to see different types of engagement. So maybe do a workshop one week, an assessment the next, a job fair after that, etc. Shows you're really putting in the effort.

I'm new to PA unemployment and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Quick question though - do the CareerLink activities have to be completed during normal business hours? I work part-time (which is why I'm getting partial benefits) and most of my availability is evenings and weekends. Are there virtual workshops or activities available outside of typical 9-5 hours? I'm worried about scheduling conflicts with my current job.

I've been on unemployment for about 6 months now and wanted to share what I've learned about CareerLink activities. The key thing is DOCUMENTATION - keep screenshots of everything! I create a weekly folder on my computer with proof of each activity. A few additional activities that count that I didn't see mentioned: - Career Interest Profiler assessment (takes about 20 mins) - Work Values Inventory (another assessment option) - Attending virtual job clubs through CareerLink - One-on-one virtual meetings with career advisors Pro tip: If you're struggling to find time for workshops, the assessments are great because you can pause and come back to them later. I usually do one assessment every few weeks when I need a CareerLink activity but don't have time for a full workshop. Just make sure you complete it fully - partial assessments don't count. Also, bookmark the CareerLink calendar page because they're constantly adding new workshops. I check it every Sunday to plan my activity for the upcoming week.