What is rework requirement unemployment Washington ESD - confused about job search rules

So it's 3 activities every single week? Do I need to document all of these somewhere?

Yes, you should keep a job search log with details of each activity. Washington ESD can audit your work search at any time.

No, work availability and work search are different requirements. You need to be both available AND actively searching for work.

oh man this is more complicated than i thought

How much does that cost? I'm already tight on money waiting for my benefits.

It's worth it to get your questions answered quickly instead of potentially losing benefits over confusion. The peace of mind alone was huge for me.

While the system can be frustrating, the work search requirement is pretty standard across most states. The key is understanding what counts as a valid activity.

Standard doesn't mean fair or clearly explained though

Does updating my LinkedIn profile count as one of the 3 activities?

Yes, updating professional profiles can count, but don't use that as your only activity each week. Mix it up with actual job applications.

How far back do they audit? Just curious how much documentation I need to keep.

they can go back to any week you claimed benefits, so keep everything until your claim ends

I'm not on standby or in training, so I definitely need to do the 3 activities per week then.

What counts as approved training? I'm thinking about taking some online courses.

Training needs to be pre-approved by Washington ESD. You can't just start random courses and expect an exemption.

Just start keeping a simple log now. Date, activity type, company/organization, and brief description. It's not as complicated as it seems once you get into the routine.

thanks, i'll start doing that right away

I've been thinking about trying that service too. The Washington ESD phone system is absolutely terrible.

Yeah, I was spending hours every day trying to get through. With Claimyr I got connected in minutes and actually got my questions answered.

Yes, online applications count just like any other job application. Most applications are online these days anyway.

good to know, thanks

If you don't meet the work search requirement for a week, that specific week could be denied. Repeated failures could affect your entire claim eligibility.

So basically you have to be perfect every single week or risk losing everything. Great system.

That's a really good idea. Do you mind sharing what columns you use in your spreadsheet?

Sure! I track: Date, Company Name, Position Applied For, Method (online/in-person/etc), Contact Info, and Notes. Keeps everything clear and organized.

Following up on an application can count as a separate work search activity, but don't overuse this. Make sure you're applying to new positions regularly too.

makes sense, thanks for clarifying

That's terrifying. I definitely need to make sure I understand exactly what I need to do.

Yeah, the appeal process is a nightmare. Much better to get it right from the beginning.

I might have to try that. I've been trying to call Washington ESD for two weeks with no luck.

That's exactly why I started using it. The regular phone system is completely broken but Claimyr actually gets you through.

Yes, WorkSource workshops and seminars count as valid work search activities. They're actually great for both meeting the requirement and improving your job search skills.

Perfect, there's a resume workshop next week I was thinking about attending.

Same here! I feel like I actually understand what I need to do now instead of just panicking about it.

Glad we could help. The work search requirement seems intimidating at first but it's manageable once you know what counts.

I never thought of informational interviews. That's actually a really good idea for networking too.

Exactly! It's one of those activities that serves multiple purposes - meets the requirement and builds your professional network.

This thread definitely helped me understand everything better too. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain things clearly.

Happy to help. Good luck with your job search everyone!