I just went through this same issue a few months ago with my job title "Social Media Marketing Coordinator" - definitely go with Marketing Specialist like everyone's suggesting. I was worried about it too but realized I was making it way more complicated than it needed to be. The occupation code is really just for their data tracking, not for determining your eligibility or benefit amount. What matters most is that your previous employer reports your wages correctly to Washington ESD. I picked Marketing Specialist and my claim was approved without any questions about the occupation choice. Don't let this small detail hold up your application!

I'm dealing with this right now too! My job title is "Digital Content Strategist" and I'm having the same dilemma. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful - sounds like Marketing Specialist is definitely the way to go for digital marketing roles. It's reassuring to see so many people had the same concern and everything worked out fine. I think we're all just nervous about messing up our first unemployment application, but it seems like Washington ESD is pretty understanding about these occupation code mismatches since so many modern job titles don't fit their system perfectly.

This is such a valuable thread! As someone who's new to unemployment benefits, I had no idea how complex the reporting requirements could be. The distinction between regular income and retirement distributions is something I never would have thought about. It's really eye-opening to see how missing just one weekly claim can have such serious consequences - that definitely wasn't clear in any of the materials I received when I first applied. Thank you to everyone who shared their actual experiences, especially the OP for taking the time to call ESD and report back with the official answer. This kind of real-world information is so much more helpful than trying to interpret the confusing official guidelines on your own. I'm definitely going to be extra cautious about filing every week now, regardless of whether I expect to receive benefits!

As someone who just started collecting unemployment benefits last week, this entire discussion has been absolutely invaluable! I had no clue about any of these nuances around weekly claim filing. The fact that missing even one week can suspend your entire claim is honestly terrifying - and like everyone else has mentioned, this definitely wasn't made clear in any of the initial paperwork or orientation materials. I was actually in a similar situation where I was considering skipping a week due to some freelance income I received, but after reading through all these experiences, I'm definitely going to file every single week no matter what. The distinction between regular wages and retirement distributions is also something I never would have known about. Thank you so much to the OP for actually calling ESD and sharing the official response, and to everyone else who shared their real experiences (both good and bad). This kind of practical, real-world information is exactly what people need when navigating this confusing system!

Bottom line for OP - you're good, your employer is handling all unemployment tax obligations and you won't see any deductions on your paystub for unemployment insurance in Washington state.

Just wanted to add that if you're coming from a state that does deduct unemployment taxes from employee paychecks, Washington's approach can definitely feel weird at first! I moved here from Pennsylvania where they take out both state and federal unemployment taxes from your pay. Here in Washington, you'll only see the federal taxes that go to Social Security and Medicare, plus federal income tax. The state unemployment system is completely invisible to you as an employee, which is honestly kind of nice - one less line item to worry about on your paystub.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I just wanted to add one more tip that worked really well for me when I was on unemployment after my restaurant closed - creating a simple Google Doc or even just a notes app on your phone to track everything in real time. I'd immediately jot down details right after each activity: "3/15 - Applied to server position at Applebee's on Aurora Ave, submitted through company website, application #A-12345, no response yet." Having it all in one searchable document made filing my weekly claims so much faster. Also, for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the 3-activities-per-week requirement - it's really not as hard as it seems once you realize how many things count! Between actual job applications, updating your resume for different positions, networking with former coworkers, taking online food safety courses, and attending WorkSource workshops, you'll probably find yourself with more activities than you need. The key is just being genuine about your job search efforts (like everyone else has said) and keeping good records. ESD really does want you to succeed and find work - they're not trying to trip you up with impossible requirements. Thanks everyone for sharing such detailed advice. This community is amazing for helping people navigate what can be a really stressful time!

I just wanted to add one more resource that really helped me when I was collecting unemployment benefits after being laid off from my bartending position - your local food bank or community kitchen often needs volunteers with food service experience, and this volunteer work counts as skills development activity! I volunteered at the neighborhood food bank for a few hours each week, which not only kept my food handling skills sharp but also showed potential employers that I stayed engaged with food service during my job search. Plus, the volunteer coordinator there actually knew several restaurant managers in the area and made some introductions for me. Another tip: if you're looking to transition between different types of restaurant work (like from casual dining to fine dining, or from front-of-house to back-of-house), research the specific skills and certifications those positions typically require. Even spending time researching sommelier certification requirements or learning about different cooking techniques online counts as skills development and employer research. Don't forget that many restaurants are also moving toward more specialized roles now - like dedicated food runners, expeditors, or even social media coordinators for smaller establishments. Researching these emerging positions and what skills they require is legitimate job search activity that might open doors you hadn't considered. The restaurant industry is evolving quickly post-pandemic, so staying informed about new trends and opportunities will serve you well. Document everything and stay persistent - you've got great experience to build on!

Miguel, I totally understand the anxiety about the status change - I went through the same thing when I filed my claim after getting laid off from my warehouse job a few months ago. The pending status is definitely normal and just means they're reviewing your claim details. One thing that helped me was calling the ESD automated phone line (1-800-318-6022) which gives you basic status updates without having to wait on hold for hours. Also, make sure you're signed up for text alerts in your eServices account - they'll notify you immediately if there are any changes or if they need additional info from you. The waiting period is tough when bills are piling up, but most straightforward layoff claims like yours get approved within 2-3 weeks. Keep filing those weekly claims and documenting your job search activities. You're doing everything right!

Hey Miguel! I just went through this exact same situation about 6 weeks ago when I got laid off from my manufacturing job. The status change from processing to pending freaked me out too, but it's totally normal - just means they're doing their review. Mine took about 2 weeks to go from pending to approved. The biggest thing I learned (the hard way) is to keep filing your weekly claims even while it's pending - I almost missed my first week because I thought I had to wait for approval first! Also, if you haven't already, make sure to set up direct deposit in your eServices account so when it does get approved, you'll get paid faster. The waiting is definitely stressful when you're worried about bills, but construction layoffs are usually pretty straightforward for them to process. Hang in there!