Do you have to apply for jobs while on unemployment - Washington ESD requirements?

Thank you! Do I need to apply to any job or can I be selective about what matches my skills?

You should apply for suitable work, which generally means jobs that match your skills and pay at least 80% of your previous wage during the first few weeks of your claim. As time goes on, the definition of suitable work expands.

What's standby status? I've never heard of that before.

Standby is when you're temporarily laid off but expect to return to your job within a specific timeframe. In that case, you don't have to search for work because you have a definite return date.

Union members and people in certain seasonal industries sometimes have modified requirements. You really need to speak with someone at Washington ESD to get accurate info for your situation. Have you tried using Claimyr? It's a service that helps you actually reach ESD agents - claimyr.com. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Union members typically still have to do job search activities unless they're on a specific type of standby through their union hall. The requirements vary by union agreement.

That's smart. Do you use WorkSource for finding jobs or other sites too?

I use Indeed, LinkedIn, company websites, and WorkSource. As long as you log everything in WorkSourceWA, it counts toward your requirement.

Just make sure you're actually qualified for the jobs you apply to. Washington ESD can review your applications and if they think you're just applying randomly to meet the quota, they can deny benefits.

The job search requirement was temporarily waived during the early pandemic but it's been back in effect for quite a while now. You need to start doing your job search activities immediately and log them in WorkSourceWA.

Oh no, what should I do about the weeks I already filed without job searching? Can they make me pay back benefits?

You should contact Washington ESD immediately to explain the situation. They might require you to do additional job search activities or could potentially create an overpayment for those weeks. The sooner you address it, the better.

What counts as a job search activity besides applying for jobs?

Attending job fairs, networking events, informational interviews, skills training, creating or updating your LinkedIn profile, attending WorkSource workshops, contacting employers directly about opportunities.

How did the audit go? Were you worried about it?

It was fine because I had kept good records. They approved everything and my benefits continued without interruption. The key is being thorough with your documentation from the beginning.

This is exactly why I over-document everything. Better safe than sorry when it comes to keeping your benefits.

WorkSourceWA is Washington's official job search website. You need to register and maintain an active profile there, and you must log all your job search activities in their system. You don't have to only apply through their job board, but you do have to record everything you do.

ok that makes sense. so if i apply on indeed i still log it in workSourceWA right?

Exactly. You can apply anywhere but you must log all activities in WorkSourceWA for Washington ESD to count them toward your weekly requirement.

I feel you. Been on unemployment for 8 weeks and it's demoralizing. But we still have to follow the rules or risk losing benefits entirely.

I know, I'm not stopping the job search. Just venting about how difficult everything is right now.

Have you tried expanding your search criteria? Sometimes you have to apply for jobs that aren't perfect matches, especially as your claim goes on longer.

Yes, job interviews definitely count as job search activities. Make sure you log the interview in WorkSourceWA with the employer name, date, and position.

Great, thanks! That makes it easier to meet the requirement that week.

There may be modified job search requirements available depending on your specific situation. You should speak with a vocational rehabilitation counselor or contact Washington ESD directly to discuss accommodations.

Good luck getting through to Washington ESD on the phone though. I mentioned Claimyr earlier - it really does help you actually reach an agent when you need specific information about your situation.

Each application counts as one activity regardless of time spent. However, you can also count related activities like updating your portfolio, completing coding challenges, or attending tech meetups as separate activities if they're part of your job search strategy.

That's helpful to know. I've been stressed about only applying to 3 jobs per week when each application is so involved.

Thanks for clarifying. It sounds like there's no way around it - I need to start my job search activities right away.

Exactly. And start logging everything in WorkSourceWA from day one. Don't wait and try to recreate your activities later.

Remember that job search activities aren't limited to applications. You can attend virtual job fairs, network on LinkedIn, take online courses related to your field, contact recruiters, or participate in WorkSource workshops. There are many ways to meet the 3-activity requirement.

Oh I didn't realize networking counted. That opens up a lot more options.

Just make sure whatever you do is a legitimate job search activity that you can document. Washington ESD has specific guidelines about what counts.

How did Claimyr work for you? I'm still skeptical about using a service to call ESD.

It was actually great. Instead of spending hours calling and getting busy signals, I got connected to an actual agent within a reasonable time. Worth it when you need specific answers about your claim.

This is such good advice. I learned this the hard way when I couldn't remember details about applications from 6 weeks ago.

Exactly! I keep a simple spreadsheet with dates, employers, positions, and what type of activity it was. Makes logging in WorkSourceWA much easier too.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful information. I'm going to start my job search activities this week and get registered on WorkSourceWA.

Good plan! And remember, the job search requirement is actually there to help you get back to work faster. The more effort you put in, the better your chances of finding something good.

That's a really smart system! I like the idea of spreading activities throughout the week instead of cramming them all in at once. How do you handle weeks when there aren't many new job postings in your field? Do you focus more on the networking and training activities those weeks?