Getting back into work after long term unemployment - Washington ESD job search help needed
I've been on Washington ESD unemployment for about 8 months now and I'm really struggling to get back into the workforce. My benefits are running low and I know I need to be more aggressive with my job search but honestly I feel like I've forgotten how to interview and my skills feel rusty. The job market seems so different now than when I was last actively working. I've been doing the minimum required job contacts each week but I know that's not enough. Has anyone else dealt with this kind of anxiety about returning to work after extended unemployment? What strategies actually worked for you?
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Jacob Lewis
I totally understand this feeling. After 6 months on UI, I felt like I had impostor syndrome even applying for jobs. What helped me was starting with volunteer work in my field to rebuild confidence and get recent references. Also, practice interviewing with friends or family - it really does help shake off the rust.
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Mia Rodriguez
•That's a great idea about volunteering. I hadn't thought of that as a way to ease back in. Did you tell employers about the volunteer work during interviews?
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Jacob Lewis
•Absolutely! It showed I was staying active and engaged in my field even while unemployed. Employers seemed to respect that initiative.
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Amelia Martinez
The job market is definitely different now. I was out of work for almost a year and when I started looking again everything was online applications and video interviews. It took me a while to adjust but once I figured out the new systems it got easier.
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Mia Rodriguez
•Yeah the video interview thing really throws me off. Any tips for those?
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Amelia Martinez
•Practice with your phone or computer camera first. Check your lighting and background. And have your resume and notes nearby since they can't see what's on your desk.
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Ethan Clark
Have you considered reaching out to WorkSource for additional support? They have programs specifically for people who've been unemployed long-term. Also, if you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD about your claim status or job search requirements, I recently discovered claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you actually reach ESD agents by phone. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
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Mia Rodriguez
•I've been to WorkSource a few times but maybe I should ask specifically about long-term unemployment programs. And thanks for the Claimyr tip - I've been trying to call ESD for weeks about my job search log requirements.
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Mila Walker
•Never heard of claimyr before but if it actually gets you through to ESD that could be huge. I've been hung up on so many times trying to get answers about my claim.
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Logan Scott
DUDE YES the anxiety is real!! I was out for 10 months and felt like a complete fraud applying for jobs. Like who am I kidding thinking I can still do this work? But you just have to push through it. The first few interviews will suck but it gets better with practice.
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Mia Rodriguez
•It's weirdly comforting to know I'm not the only one feeling this way. Did you end up finding something?
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Logan Scott
•Yeah I did! Took about 2 months of active searching once I got serious about it. The job I got isn't exactly what I was doing before but it's in the same field and pays decent.
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Chloe Green
•That's awesome! Sometimes a slightly different role can actually be refreshing after being stuck in the same position for years.
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Lucas Adams
One thing that really helped me was updating my LinkedIn profile and actually using it to network. I felt silly at first but it led to two interviews and eventually my current job. Don't underestimate the power of reaching out to former colleagues.
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Mia Rodriguez
•I've been avoiding LinkedIn because I was embarrassed about being unemployed for so long. Maybe it's time to swallow my pride.
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Lucas Adams
•Honestly most people are understanding about unemployment these days. Just focus on what you're looking for next rather than dwelling on the gap.
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Mila Walker
The skills thing is real. I was a graphic designer before unemployment and all the software had updated while I was out. I had to spend time learning the new versions before I felt confident applying. Maybe see if there are free online courses in your field?
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Mia Rodriguez
•That's smart. I work in marketing and I know things have changed a lot with AI and new platforms. I should probably do some research on current trends.
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Harper Hill
•YouTube University is your friend! So many free tutorials on everything now.
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Caden Nguyen
Be prepared for employers to ask about the employment gap. I practiced a honest but positive response - something like 'I took time to reassess my career goals and I'm excited to bring fresh perspective to this role.' Don't apologize for the gap.
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Mia Rodriguez
•That's good advice. I've been dreading that question but having a prepared answer makes sense.
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Avery Flores
•Yeah don't make it sound like you were just sitting around even if you kind of were lol. Frame it positively.
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Zoe Gonzalez
I'm in the same boat right now - 7 months on Washington ESD and starting to panic about my benefits running out. It's hard to stay motivated when you get so many rejections. But reading these responses is giving me hope that it's possible to get back out there.
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Mia Rodriguez
•We can do this! Maybe we should check in with each other on progress?
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Ethan Clark
•That's a great idea. Having accountability partners really helps with job searching.
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Zoe Gonzalez
•Yes! I'd love that. It's so isolating doing this alone.
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Ashley Adams
Don't forget about temp agencies too. Sometimes a temp position can turn into permanent work, and it's a good way to get back into the rhythm of working without the pressure of a permanent commitment right away.
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Mia Rodriguez
•I hadn't really considered temp work but you're right, it could be a good way to ease back in.
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Alexis Robinson
•Temp work saved my sanity when I was getting back into the workforce. Plus you can learn about different companies and see what's a good fit.
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Aaron Lee
Make sure you're tracking all your job search activities properly for Washington ESD. They've been cracking down on job search requirements lately and you don't want any issues with your benefits while you're actively looking.
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Mia Rodriguez
•Good point. I've been kind of sloppy with my job search log. Need to get better about documenting everything.
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Chloe Mitchell
•Yeah they can ask for proof of your job search activities at any time. Better to be over-documented than under.
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Michael Adams
Consider starting with part-time work if you can afford it. It might ease the transition and you can still collect partial unemployment benefits while you look for something full-time.
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Mia Rodriguez
•I didn't know you could collect partial benefits while working part-time. That could take some pressure off.
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Michael Adams
•Yeah as long as you report your earnings to Washington ESD. They'll adjust your benefits accordingly but you can still get some support.
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Natalie Wang
The hardest part for me was explaining why I wanted to leave my previous job in the first place. Being unemployed for so long made me forget that I actually had good reasons for leaving. Don't lose sight of what you're looking for in your next role.
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Mia Rodriguez
•That's a really good point. I've been so focused on just getting any job that I forgot about what I actually want.
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Noah Torres
•Desperation shows in interviews. Having some standards actually makes you more attractive to employers.
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Samantha Hall
Someone mentioned claimyr earlier - I actually used that service last month when I couldn't get through to ESD about a question on my weekly claim. It worked great and I was able to talk to an actual person instead of getting the runaround. Definitely worth trying if you need to reach them about anything.
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Mia Rodriguez
•Good to hear from someone who actually used it. I'm definitely going to check it out.
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Ryan Young
•How much does something like that cost? I'm barely scraping by on UI benefits.
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Samantha Hall
•It's worth checking out their site for details, but honestly if it saves you weeks of trying to get through to ESD it pays for itself in time saved.
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Sophia Clark
Just want to say thank you for posting this. I've been feeling so alone in this struggle and it helps to know others are going through the same thing. We're not broken, we're just out of practice.
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Mia Rodriguez
•Exactly! This thread has been so helpful for my mental state. I was starting to think something was wrong with me.
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Katherine Harris
•There's definitely nothing wrong with any of us. The job market is tough and long-term unemployment is more common than people talk about.
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Madison Allen
One practical tip - set up Google alerts for job postings in your field. That way new positions come to you instead of you having to constantly search job boards. Makes it easier to stay on top of opportunities.
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Mia Rodriguez
•That's brilliant! I never thought of using Google alerts for job searching.
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Joshua Wood
•You can also set up alerts for company names you're interested in. Sometimes they'll announce new positions on their websites before posting to job boards.
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Justin Evans
Don't underestimate the importance of taking care of your mental health during this process. Job searching while unemployed is incredibly stressful. Make sure you're doing things that keep you positive and motivated.
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Mia Rodriguez
•This is so important. I've been neglecting self-care and it's definitely affecting my confidence in interviews.
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Emily Parker
•Exercise helped me a lot. Even just walking every day made me feel more energetic and confident.
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Ezra Collins
•And don't isolate yourself. The loneliness of unemployment can be crushing. Stay connected with people even if you feel embarrassed about your situation.
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