Does Washington ESD call jobs you applied to verify your job search?

That's exactly what I was afraid of. Do you know how often they actually do these checks?

Not super frequently but it happens. As long as you're being honest and have documentation, you should be fine.

Did they call you first or just contact the employer directly?

they called the employer first then contacted me later to ask some follow up questions

What kind of details did they want exactly? I'm trying to make sure I'm documenting everything properly.

Job title, company name, date applied, method of application, and any follow-up contact. Keep screenshots of online applications if possible.

This is why I always email myself a copy of every application I submit. Creates a paper trail.

What triggers an audit? Is there something specific that makes them more likely to check?

Could be random selection, unusual patterns in your job search reports, or if an employer reports something suspicious. Best practice is just document everything.

I heard they also check if you're applying to jobs that match your skills and previous work experience

Thanks for the Claimyr tip! I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about various questions.

never heard of claimyr before but might try it if i have more questions

How does that work exactly? Do they actually get you through to Washington ESD?

Yeah, it automates the calling process so you don't have to sit on hold. Pretty straightforward to use.

That's smart. I've been doing exactly 3 but maybe I should do more to have a buffer.

I do the same thing - better to have too many documented job searches than not enough

That's terrifying! Did he appeal it?

Yeah he had to appeal and provide screenshots showing the technical error on their website. Eventually got it sorted out but was a hassle.

This is why I always take screenshots of the confirmation page after applying online

That's really helpful to know from the employer side. Do you keep records of all applications?

Yes, our applicant tracking system keeps records of all applications. Even if we don't remember the person specifically, we can usually confirm they applied.

Good to know employers are generally cooperative with these verification calls

I've been on unemployment for about 8 weeks now. Does that make me more likely to get audited?

Not necessarily, but longer claims do sometimes get more scrutiny. Just keep doing what you're doing and document everything.

3 weeks?! That would be devastating financially. Did you have any way to speed up the process?

Not really, just had to wait it out. Thankfully I had good documentation so it eventually got resolved in my favor.

This happened to my neighbor too. She ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier to get through to an agent and check on the status

That's smart. I usually just put down the general company info.

Yeah, having a specific contact name makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved

That sounds like a great system. Do you mind sharing what columns you include in your spreadsheet?

Date, Company Name, Job Title, How Applied (online/in person/email), Contact Person if any, Follow-up Date, and Notes. Takes 2 minutes per application but worth it for peace of mind.

I do something similar but also include the wage/salary range when listed

Oh no, that's awkward! Did it cause any issues with your reference?

nah they were cool about it, just surprised. probably should have given them a heads up

Interesting, I didn't know it varied by office. I'm in the Seattle area.

Seattle tends to be pretty thorough from what I've heard. Rural offices might be less likely to do random checks just due to workload.

Screenshot the confirmation page and save any confirmation emails. That's usually sufficient documentation for Washington ESD purposes.

Yeah I always screenshot the confirmation. Sometimes I also email myself the job posting in case it gets taken down.

That's a good point about expired postings. Some job boards are terrible about removing old listings.

LinkedIn and company websites are usually more current than third-party job boards

Yeah the phone lines are impossible. I'll probably end up trying Claimyr if I have more questions.

The website has some info about job search requirements but not much detail about their verification process

Thanks, that's reassuring. I think I'm overthinking this because I really need these benefits right now.

Totally understandable. The stress of unemployment makes everything feel more scary than it probably is.

Exactly - as long as you're making genuine job search efforts and keeping records, you shouldn't have any problems with verification

Good advice. I'll make sure to check my mail and messages regularly.

They usually give you about 10 days to respond to verification requests, but sooner is better

I'm in the same boat as you - this whole conversation has been a huge relief! I was getting really anxious about whether my online applications would hold up if they checked. Seeing everyone's practical advice about screenshots and detailed record-keeping makes me feel much more prepared. I think I'm going to create that spreadsheet system someone mentioned too. It's good to know we're all dealing with the same worries and looking out for each other.