Higher education but still unemployed - Washington ESD benefits questions

That's exactly what I'm worried about! Did you eventually find something?

Yeah, I had to take a step down from my previous role but at least I'm working again. Sometimes you have to be strategic about what you put on your resume.

That makes sense. I've been applying to jobs that are below my education level but not getting callbacks.

Have you tried removing some credentials from your resume for lower-level positions? I know it sounds backwards but sometimes it works.

I had the same problem trying to reach Washington ESD by phone. Kept getting busy signals or hung up on after waiting forever. I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ

Really? I've never heard of that. Does it actually work?

It worked for me. I was able to get my adjudication issue resolved after weeks of trying to call on my own.

There's some truth to that, but the data still shows that higher education levels correlate with lower unemployment rates overall.

maybe but if you got a phd in like art history or something good luck finding work lol

Computer science, specifically data analytics and machine learning. I thought it would be in demand but maybe the market is saturated now?

Tech has been tough lately with all the layoffs. But data science is still growing. You might need to expand your search geographically or look at adjacent fields.

My brother's in tech too and he had to relocate for his job. Sometimes that's what it takes.

That's reassuring from a statistical standpoint, but it doesn't help when you're the one struggling to find work.

Absolutely, the individual experience can be very different from the aggregate data. Don't give up though - your education is still an asset.

Did you have any issues with Washington ESD regarding contract work? I'm not sure how that affects benefits.

You have to report all income when you file your weekly claims. If you make over a certain amount, it can reduce your benefits for that week.

The current earnings threshold for Washington ESD is pretty low, so even part-time contract work can affect your weekly benefit amount.

Psychology can be tough because there are so many different career paths. Are you looking for clinical work or something else?

trying to get into HR or organizational psychology but everything wants experience i dont have yet

What do you mean by being strategic? Should I be hiding my education level?

Not hiding it, but tailoring your resume to match the job level. For entry-level positions, emphasize skills over credentials. For senior roles, lead with your education and experience.

Wait, they adjust your job search requirements based on your education level?

Sort of. They expect you to search for suitable work, which can mean work that matches your education and experience level. But they're usually reasonable if you explain your situation.

I've noticed that too. The workshops and resources seem basic compared to what I need for professional-level job searching.

WorkSource does have professional services, but you might need to specifically ask about them. They have career counselors who work with degree holders.

That's helpful context. I guess I need to be patient and keep working the system.

Exactly. Your education is still your biggest asset in the job market, even if it doesn't feel that way right now.

Don't think that way. College graduates still have significantly lower unemployment rates than those without degrees. It's just a tough market right now.

i hope youre right, just getting discouraged with all the rejections

Yes! That's exactly my situation. Too specialized for general roles, not enough specialized openings.

Have you considered adjacent fields or industries that could use your specialized skills in a different context?

I keep hearing about this Claimyr service. Is it legitimate?

Yeah, it's real. Just helps you get through to ESD when the phone lines are swamped. She said it saved her hours of calling.

That's an interesting point. I never thought about it that way.

Yeah, it really depends on the local job market and what skills are in demand. Trade skills can sometimes be more valuable than academic credentials.

Thank you for the encouragement! A year sounds terrifying but good to know it worked out.

it was scary but i learned a lot about persistence and had to get creative with my job search strategy

I'm hoping this is just one of those temporary periods then.

Most likely it is. Economic cycles affect different education levels differently, but the long-term trend still favors higher education.