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Just wanted to add that when you're logging your job search activities, make sure to save screenshots or confirmations when you submit online applications. I learned this the hard way when Washington ESD asked for proof of my job search activities and I only had my handwritten log. Having that extra documentation really helped verify my records. Also, if you apply through job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn, those platforms usually keep a record of your applications that you can reference later if needed.
That's excellent advice about saving screenshots! I wish I had known that from the beginning. Do you know if there's a specific format they prefer for documentation or is just having the screenshots enough?
From my experience, screenshots are usually enough as long as they clearly show the date, company name, position, and that you submitted an application. I keep mine in a folder organized by week. Washington ESD doesn't seem to require any specific format - they just want to see proof that you actually did the job search activities you logged. The key is making sure the screenshot matches what you wrote in your job search log.
One thing that helped me stay organized is creating a simple template for logging each activity. I write down: Date, Company Name, Position Title, Method (online app/phone/email/in-person), Contact Person (if any), and Follow-up needed. This way I'm consistent and don't forget important details. Also, if you're struggling to find 3 activities per week, remember that things like attending online career workshops, updating your resume for specific positions, or even calling companies to inquire about unadvertised openings can count as valid job search activities. The important thing is that you're making genuine efforts to find work and can document those efforts clearly.
This template idea is fantastic! I've been keeping pretty basic records but having a consistent format like this would definitely help me stay more organized. The point about calling companies directly is really helpful too - I hadn't considered that phone inquiries could count as job search activities. Does anyone know if there's a minimum amount of time you need to spend on each activity for it to count, or is it more about the effort you put in regardless of how long it takes?
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Just wanted to share another resource that helped me when I was in your exact situation last year - Catholic Community Services and other faith-based organizations often have rapid response emergency assistance programs. I'm not religious but they helped me with a $300 grocery voucher and paid my phone bill for two months while I was between jobs. No religious requirements, just proof that you're actively job searching. Also, if you're a veteran, make sure to check with the VA - they have specific programs for veterans facing financial hardship during job transitions that are separate from regular unemployment benefits. The application process is usually much faster than DSHS. Hang in there - I know how scary this situation feels but there are more safety net options than most people realize.
Thanks for mentioning Catholic Community Services - I had heard of them but wasn't sure if they helped non-members. That's really encouraging to know they don't have religious requirements. The veteran resources are a good callout too, even though it doesn't apply to me personally. It's amazing how many programs exist that people just don't know about when they're in crisis mode. I'm definitely going to look into faith-based organizations in my area. Did you have to provide a lot of documentation to get help, or was the process pretty straightforward?
I'm going through this exact same situation right now - just got the exhausted benefits notice yesterday and I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed. This thread has been incredibly helpful though. I had no idea about some of these resources like 211 or that WorkSource had emergency assistance programs beyond just job search help. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - if you have any skills in high-demand areas, some of the community colleges offer really short-term certification programs (like 2-4 weeks) that are specifically designed to get people back to work quickly. I just found out about a forklift certification program at my local community college that's only 3 days and they help with job placement afterward. Might be worth checking if there are any quick certifications in your area that could open up more opportunities while you're searching. Thanks to everyone who shared resources - I'm going to start making calls tomorrow to some of these programs. It helps so much to know other people have gotten through this situation.
That's a really smart point about the short-term certification programs! I hadn't thought about that approach. Manufacturing has been changing so much with automation and new technologies, so having some updated certifications could definitely help stand out in interviews. I'm going to check what my local community college offers - even if it means taking out a small student loan, it might be worth it if it leads to better job prospects faster. Thanks for sharing that idea and good luck with your own situation. It does help knowing we're not alone in dealing with this stress.
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This is exactly why the system is so frustrating. Simple cases sitting in queues for weeks while people can't get through to get them resolved.
That's really encouraging to hear! I've been stuck in adjudication limbo for over a month too and getting nowhere with the phone system. Definitely going to check out Claimyr - sounds like it's worth trying if it actually gets results. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I had a similar situation last year - needed to get to the office but work schedule made it impossible. Ended up taking a half day off only to find out they couldn't help with my specific issue anyway. The staff was nice but basically said "you need to call the main number" which is exactly what I was trying to avoid. Save yourself the trip and the time off work - for adjudication issues you really are stuck with the phone system or online options.
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Wow, this thread is amazing! I've been on unemployment for about 6 weeks and have been so anxious about whether I'm doing the work search requirements correctly. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences and tips has been incredibly reassuring and educational. I especially appreciate the emphasis on specific documentation - I realize I've been way too vague in my WorkSourceWA entries. The spreadsheet backup idea is brilliant, and I'm definitely going to start implementing that this week. One quick question - I've been participating in online coding bootcamp prep courses to update my skills for tech positions. These aren't through WorkSourceWA but are directly related to improving my qualifications for jobs I'm applying to. Would these count as work search activities? They're usually 2-3 hour sessions and I can get certificates of completion. Also, thank you to everyone who mentioned Claimyr - I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about a specific question and this might be exactly what I need!
Hi Sean! Those coding bootcamp prep courses absolutely count as work search activities! Since they're directly related to improving your qualifications for tech positions you're targeting, they fall under the skills training/professional development category. The fact that you get certificates of completion is perfect for documentation - save those certificates and log each session as something like "Completed coding bootcamp prep course session on [specific topic] - [X] hours, certificate earned" with the date and course provider. Even though they're not through WorkSourceWA, they're clearly aimed at making you more employable in your field. I've been counting similar online courses and haven't had any issues. Just make sure to document how each course relates to your job search goals. And yes, definitely try Claimyr if you've been struggling to reach Washington ESD - so many people in this thread have had success with it when the regular phone lines are impossible to get through!
This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I just filed my first unemployment claim last week and was completely lost on the work search requirements. Everyone's detailed experiences and practical tips have made this so much clearer. I'm particularly grateful for the advice about keeping detailed documentation with specific job titles, position IDs, and company names - I had no idea that level of detail was important for potential audits. The spreadsheet backup system that several people mentioned is genius, and I'm setting that up today. One thing I'm curious about - I've been doing informational interviews with people in my network to learn about their companies and potential opportunities. These are genuine conversations about exploring career paths, not just trying to check boxes. Do these count as work search activities? Also, how specific do I need to be when documenting them - should I include what we discussed or just the basic details like name, company, and date? Thanks again everyone for sharing your real-world knowledge - this has been so much more helpful than trying to navigate the Washington ESD website alone!
Hi Zainab! Informational interviews absolutely count as work search activities - they're actually one of the best types of networking activities you can do! Since these are genuine conversations about exploring career opportunities and learning about companies, they definitely qualify. For documentation, I'd include the person's name, their company/title, date of the conversation, and a brief note about what you discussed - something like "Informational interview with [Name], [Title] at [Company] - discussed career paths in [field], company culture, and potential future opportunities." You don't need to write a novel, but having enough detail to show it was a substantive conversation is helpful. The fact that you're being intentional about these conversations rather than just trying to check boxes is exactly what Washington ESD wants to see. Keep doing what you're doing - informational interviews often lead to the best job opportunities because you're building real relationships!
Romeo Barrett
I'm new to this community but came across this thread while searching for info about RESEA appointments. I just received my first notification email and after reading everyone's experiences here, I'm so glad I found this discussion! The email really is vague - it just says "reemployment services appointment" without clearly explaining that it's mandatory or what happens if you miss it. It's really helpful to see how common it is to miss these and that WorkSource is generally understanding about rescheduling. I've already added the appointment to my calendar with multiple reminders and started organizing my job search log just in case. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is going to save a lot of people from the stress of not knowing what to expect!
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Danielle Mays
•Welcome to the community! You're being really smart by getting organized ahead of time after reading through everyone's experiences. I wish I had found a thread like this before my first RESEA appointment - would have saved me a lot of confusion! The multiple calendar reminders are definitely a good idea since these emails really don't make it clear how important they are. Having your job search log ready beforehand will make the actual appointment much smoother too. This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating all the confusing ESD requirements - glad you found us!
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Emma Swift
I'm so glad this thread exists! I just got my RESEA notification last week and was completely confused by the vague language. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful - especially learning that these are handled by WorkSource and not ESD directly. I had no idea missing one would put benefits on hold immediately! For anyone else who's nervous about their upcoming appointment, it sounds like the key things are: bring your job search log with at least 3 activities per week documented, be prepared to discuss your job search strategy, and don't stress too much because the counselors are generally helpful rather than intimidating. The fact that so many people have successfully rescheduled after missing appointments is really reassuring too. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this community is amazing for helping people navigate these confusing government processes!
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Sofia Ramirez
•You're absolutely right about this thread being a lifesaver! I'm also relatively new to unemployment benefits and had never heard of RESEA appointments before. The way everyone has broken down the process and shared their real experiences makes it so much less intimidating. I especially appreciate how people explained the difference between ESD and WorkSource - that would have been really confusing to figure out on my own. It's reassuring to know that even if something goes wrong, there are ways to fix it and people here who can help guide you through it. Thanks for adding your perspective to this discussion!
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