Washington ESD job search requirements - what exactly counts as valid work search?

Washington ESD accepts several types of job search activities - not just applications. You can attend job fairs, do informational interviews, take skills assessments, register with employment agencies, or even network with professional contacts. Each activity needs to be documented with employer info, date, and method of contact.

I was in the same situation last year. The key is variety in your job search activities. I started going to WorkSource centers, attending their workshops, and that counted toward my requirement. You can also do skills training or certification courses.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to clarify the requirements, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made it way easier to get answers about my specific situation.

Be very careful about your job search records. Washington ESD does audit them and if they find you didn't actually do legitimate job search activities, you could face an overpayment or even fraud charges. Always keep detailed documentation.

honestly the job search requirement is such a pain when there just aren't that many jobs in your field. I started applying to stuff I was overqualified for just to meet the numbers

You can also count professional networking activities. LinkedIn outreach to people in your industry, attending virtual meetups, even informational interviews with contacts in your field.

The Washington ESD website has a whole section on acceptable job search activities. Worth checking out before you stress too much about it.

One thing that helped me was treating it like a part-time job. I'd spend 2-3 hours every Monday doing job search activities for the week, then document everything right away while it was fresh.

Remember that Washington ESD can request your job search records at any time, not just during an audit. Always be prepared to provide them if asked.

If you're in a specialized field with limited openings, consider expanding your search geographically or looking at related positions. Washington ESD understands that some industries have fewer opportunities.

Just want to add that when I used Claimyr to talk to a Washington ESD agent, they were really helpful in clarifying exactly what counts for job search activities in my specific situation. Sometimes it's worth getting official guidance.

Don't forget about temporary and contract work. Even if you don't want those positions long-term, applying for them counts as job search activity.

The most important thing is being honest and consistent. Washington ESD has seen every trick in the book, so just focus on legitimate job search efforts.

I keep a running list of companies I want to work for and check their job postings regularly. Even if they don't have openings in my field, I'll reach out to HR or hiring managers. That counts as job search activity too.

Skills assessment tests through WorkSource or other employment agencies count too. I did several online assessments that counted toward my weekly requirement.

Just remember that quality matters more than quantity. Three genuine job search activities are better than trying to stretch things and potentially getting flagged for questionable entries.

For anyone still struggling to reach Washington ESD directly, that Claimyr service mentioned earlier actually worked for me too. Got through to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending hours on hold.

Volunteer work related to your field can sometimes count too, especially if it involves networking or skill development. Worth asking about if you're doing any volunteer activities.

The bottom line is Washington ESD wants to see you're actively looking for work. As long as you're making genuine efforts and keeping good records, you should be fine. Don't overthink it too much.

One last tip - if you're ever selected for a job search audit, respond quickly and provide all requested documentation. Delays can cause issues with your benefits.

I'm new to Washington unemployment and this thread is incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add - I've found that creating a simple weekly schedule helps me stay consistent with the job search requirements. I block out specific times for applications, networking, and other activities rather than scrambling at the end of the week. Also, don't forget that career counseling sessions at WorkSource count too - they're actually pretty valuable for getting feedback on your resume and interview skills while meeting your requirements.