How many job searches are required for unemployment Washington ESD weekly claims?
I just started filing my weekly claims with Washington ESD and I'm confused about the job search requirements. The website mentions I need to do job searches but doesn't clearly state how many per week. I've been applying to maybe 2-3 jobs each week but I'm worried that's not enough. Does anyone know the exact number required? I don't want my benefits to get cut off because I'm not meeting the requirements.
38 comments


Ella Knight
You need to complete 3 job search activities per week for Washington ESD. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or even creating profiles on job sites. Make sure you keep detailed records in your job search log because they can audit you at any time.
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Julian Paolo
•Thank you! Do I need to submit this log with my weekly claim or just keep it for my records?
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Ella Knight
•Just keep it for your records, but be ready to provide it if Washington ESD requests it during an audit or review.
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William Schwarz
wait i thought it was 5 job searches per week? thats what my friend told me when she was on unemployment last year
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Lauren Johnson
•It's definitely 3 per week in Washington state. Your friend might have been thinking of a different state or maybe had special requirements due to her industry.
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Jade Santiago
I've been struggling with this too because I keep getting busy signals when I try to call Washington ESD to ask questions. Has anyone found a good way to actually reach someone there? I've been calling for weeks trying to get clarification on my specific situation.
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Caleb Stone
•I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents without all the busy signals and waiting. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. I was able to talk to someone within a few hours instead of weeks of trying.
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Daniel Price
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A JOKE! I've been doing 5+ job searches per week just to be safe and they STILL flagged my account for review. Now I'm in adjudication hell waiting for someone to look at my case. Meanwhile my bills are piling up and I can't get anyone on the phone at Washington ESD.
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Olivia Evans
•That's so frustrating! What reason did they give for the review?
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Lauren Johnson
•This is exactly why keeping detailed records is so important. During adjudication they scrutinize everything. Make sure you have dates, company names, positions applied for, and contact information for each search activity.
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Ella Knight
For anyone keeping track, here's what counts as valid job search activities for Washington ESD: 1) Submitting job applications 2) Attending job interviews 3) Going to job fairs or hiring events 4) Networking activities 5) Creating profiles on job search websites 6) Contacting employers directly about positions. You need 3 of these per week minimum.
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Sophia Bennett
•Does updating your LinkedIn profile count as networking?
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Julian Paolo
•This is really helpful, thank you for breaking it down so clearly!
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Aiden Chen
I'm in a different situation - I'm on standby status because my employer said they might call me back. Do I still need to do the 3 job searches per week?
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Lauren Johnson
•Standby status usually means you're temporarily laid off with a specific return date. In that case, you typically don't need to do job searches, but you should verify this with Washington ESD because every situation is different.
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William Schwarz
does anyone know if you can count the same job application twice if you apply through different websites?
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Ella Knight
•No, that would be considered one job search activity even if you submitted through multiple sites. Each unique position at a different company counts as one search.
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Zoey Bianchi
I've been unemployed for 6 months now and honestly the job search requirement feels pointless when there are barely any jobs in my field. I'm doing the minimum 3 per week but half the postings are scams or require experience I don't have.
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Olivia Evans
•I feel you on this. What field are you in? Maybe others here have suggestions for where to look.
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Lauren Johnson
•Have you considered using WorkSourceWA? They have career counselors who can help you identify transferable skills and find opportunities you might not have considered.
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Christopher Morgan
Just wanted to share that I finally got through to Washington ESD using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. The agent confirmed that it's 3 job searches per week and helped me understand what documentation I need to keep. Definitely worth using if you're having trouble getting through on the phone.
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Julian Paolo
•That's great to hear! Did they say anything specific about the types of documentation we need?
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Christopher Morgan
•They want company name, position title, date of application, and method of contact (online, email, in person, etc.). Keep everything organized by week.
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Aurora St.Pierre
Quick question - if I have a job interview, does that count as one of my 3 required activities for that week?
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Ella Knight
•Yes, attending a job interview definitely counts as one of your job search activities. Make sure to document the date, company, position, and outcome.
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Grace Johnson
been on unemployment 3 times over the years and the job search thing has always been 3 per week. never had any issues as long as you document everything properly
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Jayden Reed
•That's reassuring to hear from someone with experience. Any tips for good documentation?
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Nora Brooks
I got confused about this when I first started filing because the Washington ESD website has so much information scattered around. It took me forever to find the clear answer that it's 3 per week. They really need to make this more obvious on the main page.
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Olivia Evans
•Totally agree! The website is not user-friendly at all. Half the links don't work properly either.
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Eli Wang
What happens if you don't meet the 3 job search requirement for a week? Do they cut you off immediately or give you a warning?
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Lauren Johnson
•They don't automatically cut you off after one week, but repeated failures to meet requirements can result in benefit suspension. They typically send warnings first and may require you to attend reemployment services.
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Cassandra Moon
Does volunteering count toward job search activities? I've been volunteering at a nonprofit to keep my skills current while I look for work.
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Ella Knight
•Volunteering generally doesn't count as a job search activity unless it's directly related to networking for employment opportunities. However, it's great for maintaining skills and could lead to job leads!
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Zane Hernandez
I was skeptical about paying for help with Washington ESD calls, but after trying Claimyr I have to admit it works. Got connected to someone who answered all my questions about job search requirements and even helped me understand my eligibility review. Sometimes it's worth paying for efficiency.
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Genevieve Cavalier
•How quickly were you able to get through?
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Ethan Scott
For anyone still confused, I called WorkSourceWA (which is free) and they confirmed the 3 job search activities per week requirement. They also offered to help me with my job search strategy which was nice.
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Julian Paolo
•That's a great free resource! I should probably take advantage of their services too.
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Lola Perez
•WorkSourceWA has been really helpful for me too. Their career counselors actually know what they're talking about.
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