What has the highest unemployment rate - Washington ESD statistics confusing me

Thanks! Do you know if these stats affect how they handle job search requirements? Like if I'm in retail do they expect me to only look for retail jobs?

No, you can search across industries. They just want to see you're making genuine efforts to find work. Keep good records of your applications.

Construction is definitely cyclical. Winter layoffs are normal but this year seems worse than usual.

Yeah the weather hasn't helped either. My cousin does roofing and they've barely worked since December.

Never heard of that service before. Does it actually work? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days about my job search requirements.

Yeah it worked great for me. Check out claimyr.com - saved me hours of redialing. The agent I talked to was really knowledgeable about which areas are hiring.

Interesting, might have to try this. The phone system is absolutely terrible right now.

I'm in Spokane actually, so that makes sense. Should I be looking at Seattle area jobs or does that mess up my Washington ESD claim somehow?

You can look anywhere in the state. Just make sure you're genuinely available for work if you apply somewhere that would require moving.

Healthcare always needs people but you usually need specific training or certifications.

True, but even entry level positions like patient transport or food service in hospitals tend to be more stable.

The irony is some restaurants can't find workers now because people moved on to other industries.

Exactly! The pay and working conditions drove people away and now they're desperate but still not improving wages enough.

That's depressing but probably true. I'm only 28 so hopefully that's not an issue for me yet.

You should be fine at 28. The real issues start hitting people in their 50s and up.

Warehouse work can be physically demanding but you're right that it's consistent. Good option while looking for something better.

Just make sure you can handle the physical requirements. I lasted 3 weeks at an Amazon warehouse before my back gave out.

Do government applications count toward my job search requirements even if they take months to process?

Yes, as long as you're genuinely qualified and applied properly. Keep documentation of your application.

That's really helpful info. I should probably focus my search more on King County then.

Just remember King County also has higher cost of living and more competition for jobs. Might balance out.

Solar installation companies are definitely hiring more people lately.

Yeah, and wind energy projects too. Might require some retraining but the jobs pay well.

That sounds really useful. I feel like I'm just randomly applying places without a real strategy.

Exactly what I was doing before. The agent helped me understand how to use the labor market data to target my applications better.

Remote work could be an option if you have the right skills and reliable internet.

Internet is spotty here unfortunately. And most remote jobs still want you somewhat local for occasional meetings.

I keep hearing this but I'm pretty introverted. Any tips for networking when you're not naturally social?

Start with online professional groups related to your field. LinkedIn groups, Facebook groups, industry forums. Easier than in-person networking.

While there are definitely some ghost job postings, most companies are genuinely trying to fill positions. The process is just slower and more bureaucratic than it should be.

Maybe in your experience but I've applied to hundreds of jobs and half don't even send rejection emails.

I've thought about doing a coding bootcamp but sounds like the market is tougher now.

It's not impossible but definitely more competitive. Might want to look at adjacent roles like tech support or QA testing to get your foot in the door.

apple harvest pays decent for a few months but then you're back to square one

True, but it can bridge gaps between permanent positions and the work is honest.

That's the third person who's mentioned this service. Seems legit if multiple people have had success with it.

I'm definitely going to try it next time I need to reach them. The regular phone system is absolutely useless.

I hadn't thought about education jobs. Do you need teaching credentials for all positions?

Not all positions. Administrative, maintenance, food service, IT support - lots of roles don't require teaching credentials.

Thanks everyone for all the insights. This has been way more helpful than trying to decipher the official Washington ESD reports on my own.

Good luck with your search! Remember to document everything for your weekly claims and don't get discouraged. The market is tough but there are opportunities out there.