What are the work search requirements for unemployment in Washington state?

Do I need to submit proof of these activities with my weekly claim or just keep records?

Keep detailed records but you don't submit them with weekly claims. Washington ESD can audit you at any time and ask for proof, so document everything - dates, company names, contact info, method of contact.

You can expand your search to related fields or lower skill levels if necessary. The key is showing you're making a genuine effort to find work. Document why you're expanding your search criteria.

I had trouble reaching Washington ESD when I had questions about this. Ended up using Claimyr.com to get through to an actual agent who explained everything clearly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

This is really helpful! Do online applications count the same as in-person applications?

Yes, online applications count fully. Just make sure you record the company name, position title, date applied, and method of application. Screenshot confirmation pages if possible.

What about cold calling companies? Does that count as networking?

Cold calling can count as networking if you're genuinely seeking employment opportunities. Document who you spoke with, the company, date, and outcome of the conversation.

You should be applying for positions you're reasonably qualified for. Washington ESD expects a good faith effort to find suitable work. Random applications might hurt you in an audit.

ok good to know. i'll focus more on jobs that actually match my experience

That's a great idea! Do you have a template you could share?

I just use a simple Excel sheet with columns for date, company, position, contact method, and result. Nothing fancy but it works great for documentation.

If you're on standby status with a definite return-to-work date, you're typically exempt from work search requirements. But check with Washington ESD to confirm your specific situation.

Thanks! My employer said I'll be called back in 6 weeks so I think I qualify for standby.

How did the audit process work? Did they contact you by mail or phone?

They sent a letter requesting documentation for specific weeks. I had to provide proof of all my work search activities within 10 days. Luckily I kept good records.

What happened to people who couldn't provide adequate documentation?

They can disqualify you and make you pay back benefits if you can't prove you met the requirements. That's why record keeping is so important.

is that like a paid service?

Yeah but it was worth it to get clear answers instead of guessing. The alternative was potentially messing up my benefits.

Yes, WorkSource workshops and seminars count as valid work search activities. They're actually encouraged because they help improve your job search skills.

Perfect! I've been going to their resume writing workshops. Good to know those count.

I understand the frustration, but the goal is to encourage active job seeking. Focus on positions that could genuinely advance your career, even if they're not perfect matches.

fair point. i've actually found some decent opportunities i wouldn't have considered otherwise

Yes, job interviews definitely count as work search activities. Make sure to document the company, position, date, and outcome.

Awesome, thanks for clarifying!

It's 3 work search activities per week, not necessarily 3 applications. Activities include applications, networking, training, job fairs, etc. You have flexibility in how you meet the requirement.

That makes way more sense. I was stressing about finding 3 jobs to apply for every single week.

Great suggestion! Are there costs involved with joining these associations?

Some have membership fees but many offer free networking events open to non-members. Check with your local chamber of commerce too.

Volunteer work generally doesn't count toward work search requirements unless it's specifically job training or leads to paid employment opportunities. Focus on activities directly related to finding paid work.

Got it, thanks for the clarification. I'll stick to job applications and networking events.

Digital is probably better because it's easier to organize and search. I used a combination of spreadsheets and saved emails/screenshots for my audit.

Good point about the screenshots. I'll start saving confirmation pages from job applications.

Creating or updating professional profiles like LinkedIn can count, but use this sparingly. It should be substantial updates that improve your job search prospects, not minor tweaks every week.

Makes sense. I'll save that for when I make significant updates to my experience or skills sections.

Washington ESD doesn't require a specific format for your work search log. As long as you document all the required information (date, employer, position, contact method, etc.), you can use whatever format works best for you.

Perfect! I'll stick with my current spreadsheet then. It has all the necessary columns.

Agreed! Much clearer now on what I need to do. Really appreciate all the detailed answers.

Glad we could help! Remember, when in doubt, document everything and focus on genuine job search efforts. Good luck with your search!

How does that work exactly? Do they just keep calling for you?

Yeah, they handle the calling process and get you connected when an agent is available. Much better than spending your whole day trying to get through yourself.

This is excellent advice! I hadn't thought about informational interviews - that's a great way to network while meeting the requirements. How do you typically approach people on LinkedIn for these conversations? Do you mention that you're currently job searching or keep it more general about industry insights?

@GalaxyGlider I usually keep it conversational and focus on learning about their role and company culture rather than directly asking for jobs. Something like "Hi [Name], I'm exploring opportunities in [field] and really admire the work [Company] is doing. Would you be open to a brief 15-minute chat about your experience there and any industry trends you're seeing?" Most people are happy to help if you're genuine and respectful of their time. Sometimes job openings come up naturally in the conversation.

This is really smart advice! I've been keeping track of applications but wasn't documenting rejections - that's a good point about showing you're engaged in the whole process. Do you also keep records of when you follow up on applications that don't get responses? I usually send a follow-up email after a week or two but wasn't sure if that counted as a separate work search activity.