Does ESD count employer paperwork and pre-job training as valid job search activities?

congrats on the job! i think completing paperwork doesn't count as a job search activity since you already got the job. same with trainings. you still need to do your 3 activities each week until you actually start working. thats what the esd lady told me anyway

Thanks! That's what I was worried about. I'm running out of places to apply since I already have the job lined up. Guess I'll have to do some more job applications even though I don't need them anymore.

Congratulations on your new position! To directly answer your question: No, completing paperwork for a job you've already accepted or watching required training before your start date does NOT count as a job search activity. \n\nJob search activities need to be efforts to find work, and since you've already secured this position, these activities are part of the onboarding process, not searching for work. \n\nYou'll need to continue performing and documenting your 3 job search activities each week until your first day of work. These can include applying for other positions, attending job fairs, updating your resume and posting it on job boards, or networking with potential employers. \n\nBe sure to keep detailed records of all your job search activities until your first day of work to avoid any potential issues with your claim.

Thank you for the clear explanation! This makes sense but is frustrating since I'm spending so much time preparing for this new job. I'll make sure to keep doing my required activities.

Wait I'm confused about this too. What if the training is UNPAID? Shouldn't that count as a job search since your technically not employed yet?? The whole system is so confusing!!

That's a good question! Even if the training is unpaid, it's still considered part of the onboarding process for a job you've already secured, so ESD doesn't consider it a job search activity. \n\nThe definition of job search activities specifically refers to actions taken to FIND work, not prepare for work you've already found. It's a subtle but important distinction in how ESD classifies these activities.

That's so frustrating!! Why doesn't unpaid work count? It's not like I'm getting paid yet! 😤

When I was on unemployment last year I thought I didn't need to do job search activities after getting a job offer but I was WRONG! Got hit with an overpayment notice because I stopped doing my activities two weeks before my start date. Don't make my mistake!!

Yikes, that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid! How much was the overpayment if you don't mind me asking? Were you able to appeal it?

It was for about $1,200 - two weeks of benefits. I couldn't appeal because I actually didn't do the activities... I just assumed I didn't have to since I had a job lined up. Lesson learned the hard way!

Here's what counts as job search activities according to ESD:\n1. Applying for jobs (online or in person)\n2. Attending job interviews\n3. Creating profiles on job search websites\n4. Attending job fairs or workshops\n5. Connecting with your professional network about job opportunities\n6. Registering with placement firms\n\nFilling out paperwork AFTER being hired isn't on this list. You're still required to complete 3 job search activities each week until your first actual workday. It's annoying, I know, but those are the rules!

ya this is what i was trying to say but wasnt sure of all the details. thanks for listing everything out!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now!!! Got a job that starts next month but they're making me do all this paperwork and background check stuff. Such a waste to still be applying to other jobs when I already have one lined up. The whole system needs an update seriously.

Glad I'm not the only one dealing with this! It does seem like a waste of everyone's time to keep applying when you already have a job secured.

You might want to try getting in touch with ESD directly to confirm this. I spent THREE DAYS trying to get through to ESD last month about a similar question (had to do with relocating for a job). The phone lines are absolutely swamped.\n\nI finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent. You can check out their video demo here: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3\n\nThe service helped me get connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. The agent confirmed that I needed to keep doing job search activities until my actual first day of work, even though I was spending time preparing to move for the new position.

Thanks for the tip! I was actually thinking about calling ESD to double-check but was dreading the wait times. I'll check out that service - at this point I just want a clear answer from an official source.

Does this Claimyr thing actually work? I've been trying to reach ESD for a week about my adjudication issue!

It worked great for me! I was skeptical at first but after trying to get through on my own for days, it was worth it to finally speak with someone who could answer my questions.

THE ESD SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS!!!!! They make you jump through hoops even when you ALREADY HAVE A JOB!!!! I went through this exact situation last year and got my benefits DENIED for a week because I didn't do enough job search activities even though I was LITERALLY starting a new job the next week and had to complete 10 HOURS of onboarding training!!!! The system is designed to TRICK people into losing benefits!!!!

While I understand your frustration, the rules are actually pretty clear on the ESD website. They specify that you must continue job search activities until your first day of actual paid work. It's not really designed to trick people - the requirements are consistent throughout your claim period.

YEAH RIGHT!!!! If they were so CLEAR about it then why do so many people get confused and lose benefits???? The whole system needs to be thrown out!!!

Another suggestion: Since you already have a job lined up, you might want to look into WorkSource workshops as an easy way to fulfill your job search requirements. Many of their workshops count as job search activities, and some are actually helpful for preparing for a new position. Topics like workplace communication or industry-specific training could be beneficial for your new role while satisfying ESD requirements at the same time.

That's a really good idea! I didn't think about WorkSource workshops. That seems much more productive than sending out applications for jobs I won't actually take. Thank you!

My cousin works at ESD and she said they get this question ALL THE TIME. The answer is always the same - you gotta do those 3 activities each week until day 1 of the new job. Just the way it is!

Does your cousin know why they make this rule?? It seems so pointless!

She said it's because until you actually start getting paid, there's always a chance the job falls through. They've had too many people stop looking for work because of a