Washington ESD weekly claim - does more job search time actually lead to better positions?

That makes sense. I think I might be spreading myself too thin trying to apply to everything I see.

Same here - I was way more successful when I started customizing cover letters and really researching companies instead of just blasting out generic applications.

That's a good point about not being desperate. I'm trying to remember that Washington ESD gives me some breathing room to be selective.

Exactly! I turned down two offers that weren't quite right and ended up finding something much better. The unemployment benefits let me hold out for a role that actually matched my skills.

Never heard of this but I'll definitely check it out. I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about a question on my weekly claim.

Is this legit? I'm always skeptical of third-party services but if it actually works...

Yeah it's real, I was skeptical too but it worked for me. Much better than sitting on hold for hours.

I haven't been doing much networking actually. Most of my time is spent on job boards. Maybe I should shift some of that energy.

Networking counts as job search activities for Washington ESD too, so you can log those interactions in your job search log.

You're probably right about the burnout. I do feel pretty drained most days.

This is so true! I was burning out doing the same thing and my applications started getting sloppy. Taking breaks actually helped me be more effective.

Mental health is so important during unemployment. The stress can really affect your interview performance too.

I've noticed that too! Getting to final rounds but then nothing. It's so disheartening.

That happened to me too but I eventually found something. Keep at it but don't take the rejections personally.

That's actually really good advice. I've been so focused on just getting a job that I haven't thought much about what I actually want.

Yes! I made a list of deal-breakers and must-haves before I started applying. Really helped me focus my search.

Glad I'm not the only one! It really does become obsessive. I check Indeed like every hour.

Maybe try setting specific times for job searching? Like 9-11am and 2-4pm or something. Having boundaries helped me.

That's a good idea. I need to create some structure instead of just searching all day.

Smart! I should start doing that. Right now I just log the minimum for my weekly claims.

What kind of patterns did you notice? I've been wondering if there's a better strategy than just applying randomly.

Smaller companies responded more often, and I got better results when I applied within 24 hours of the posting going live.

I've definitely applied to jobs that seem to disappear or get reposted constantly. It's frustrating.

Yeah but at least Washington ESD gives us some time to find something decent instead of having to take the first thing that comes along.

You're welcome! It's been really helpful to hear everyone's perspectives. Makes me feel less alone in this.

The guilt is real! But remember unemployment benefits exist for a reason - to give you time to find the right fit.

Good to hear another positive review. I'm definitely going to try it next time I need to call.

Okay you've convinced me. Going to check out that video demo they mentioned.

You're right! I've been meaning to update my portfolio but keep getting distracted by job applications.

Yes! I spent unemployment time learning new skills and it made me way more competitive when I finally did interview.

I do feel that pressure sometimes. Like I should be job searching 24/7 or I'm being lazy.

The pressure is real but try to remember that rest and self-care are important too. You'll interview better if you're not completely burned out.

I usually just pick the 3 best ones from the week to report. I keep a spreadsheet of everything but only log the minimum for Washington ESD.

That's fine. As long as you're keeping records of all your activities in case they ask for more details later.

Thank you, that's really encouraging to hear. I've been second-guessing myself a lot lately.

That sounds like a much better approach than what I've been doing. Going to try being more strategic.

This is the way to go. I probably sent 1/3 as many applications as other people but got way more responses.

You only need to report 3 for Washington ESD but I keep track of everything in case they audit me or something.

Yeah just report 3 but definitely keep records of everything. Better safe than sorry with unemployment claims.

Yeah that seems like a good balance. I'm going to try scaling back and see if I'm actually more effective.

Exactly. You want to be productive but not burn yourself out. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

Noted! I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks for all the advice everyone, this has been really helpful.

Glad I could help! The video demo really shows how much easier it makes contacting Washington ESD.