Washington ESD work search documentation - how to prove work search for unemployment weekly claims

Thanks! Should I be keeping physical copies or are digital records okay?

Digital is fine, just make sure you can access them easily. I keep everything in a dedicated email folder and Google Drive.

You should actually be applying to jobs you're qualified for. Washington ESD expects genuine work search efforts, not just random applications.

yeah i know but its hard to find stuff in my field right now

How long did the audit process take? I'm worried about what happens if they don't approve my documentation.

About 2 weeks. They were pretty thorough but as long as you have legitimate records you'll be fine.

What if you can't reach Washington ESD to ask questions about the audit? I've been trying to call for days but can't get through.

Never heard of this service. Is it legit or some kind of scam?

It's legitimate. They just help you navigate the phone system to reach an actual person instead of waiting on hold for hours.

I tried this last week when I had questions about my adjudication. Actually got through to someone within 30 minutes instead of the usual 3+ hour wait times.

Do informational interviews count as work search activities?

Yes, as long as they're related to your job search and you document them properly. Include who you spoke with and what was discussed.

What about online job training courses? Do those count toward the 3 weekly activities?

Some do, but check with Washington ESD first. Generally they need to be directly related to improving your job prospects.

WorkSource workshops definitely count. I've been doing their resume writing and interview prep sessions.

I totally get that feeling. Have you tried reaching out to temp agencies? They often have immediate openings and each contact counts as a work search activity.

thats actually a good idea, hadnt thought of that

Also don't forget about government job sites like USAJobs or city/county websites. Lots of people overlook public sector opportunities.

That's smart! I never thought about saving the job alert emails themselves.

Just make sure you're actually applying to relevant positions from those alerts, not just saving the emails.

Volunteer work doesn't typically count as a work search activity unless it's specifically job-related networking or skill development that directly supports your job search.

ok thanks for clarifying that

That's not paranoid at all! I know someone who lost 6 weeks of benefits because they couldn't provide adequate documentation.

Wow that's scary. How detailed do the records need to be?

Very detailed. Date, time, company, position, how you applied, any follow-up actions. The more specific the better.

Washington ESD doesn't specify that they need to be spread out, but it looks better if you show consistent effort throughout the week rather than cramming everything into one day.

I usually do one on Monday, one Wednesday, and one Friday. Helps me stay organized and shows regular effort.

I'll definitely check that out. Having the official format would make me feel more confident about my documentation.

Yeah that template is super useful. I print out a new one each week and fill it in as I go.

Same here! I've wasted so many hours on hold just to get disconnected. Really frustrating when you need answers about something this important.

That's exactly why I started using Claimyr. Saves so much time and frustration dealing with their phone system.

Is that the service someone mentioned earlier? Might have to try it if I can't get through soon.

Virtual job fairs count too right? Seems like everything is online these days.

Yes, virtual events count. Just make sure to keep screenshots of your participation or any confirmation emails.

You still need to meet the requirement. This is where networking events, informational interviews, or contacting staffing agencies can help fill the gap when direct job applications are limited.

Makes sense. I guess I need to be more creative about what counts as work search.

Don't forget about attending WorkSource workshops or career counseling sessions. Those count and can be really helpful too.

That's a great organizational system. I should probably get more structured about how I'm keeping my records.

Organization is key! I also keep a backup on Google Drive in case my computer crashes.

Good point! Even if the interview doesn't lead to a job, it proves you're conducting a legitimate job search.

That makes sense. I'll make sure to document any interviews or follow-up contacts with employers.

I was audited a few months ago. They asked for 4 weeks worth of work search documentation. As long as you have legitimate records with all the required details, it's not too stressful.

My friend got audited and said they were pretty thorough but fair. Just make sure your activities are real and well-documented.

ok that makes me feel a bit better

Wait, you can do gig work while collecting unemployment? I thought that wasn't allowed.

You can do some work while on unemployment, but you have to report the earnings and it may affect your benefit amount. Check with Washington ESD about the rules.

Yeah, there are specific rules about working while on unemployment. Definitely something to clarify with an agent if you're unsure.

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I feel much more confident about keeping proper work search records now.

This thread has been super helpful. Going to start being way more organized about my documentation.

Same here. Really glad I found this discussion before I potentially messed up my work search requirements.