What questions does Washington ESD ask during unemployment phone interview?

I had one of these interviews about 6 months ago. They asked me basic stuff like why I left my job, if I was able and available to work, what kind of work I was looking for. They also wanted to know about any severance pay or vacation time I received. The whole thing took maybe 15-20 minutes. Just be honest and stick to the facts.

The questions depend on why you're getting the interview. Common reasons include job separation issues, availability questions, or income reporting problems. They'll ask about your work history, reason for leaving, whether you're actively seeking work, and any barriers to employment. If it's about job separation, expect detailed questions about your last day, any warnings or disciplinary actions, and whether you quit or were fired.

Honestly, getting through to Washington ESD for any clarification before your interview is nearly impossible. I spent hours trying to call them when I had questions about my interview. If you need to reach them quickly, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual person at claimyr.com. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to ask questions before your interview.

they asked me if i was looking for work and what jobs i applied to. had to give them specific company names and dates. also asked if i turned down any job offers or interviews. make sure you have your job search log ready!

I'm going through the same thing right now! My interview is tomorrow and I'm so stressed. They sent me a letter saying it was about 'separation issues' but I don't understand what that means. I was clearly laid off, not fired. Why is this so complicated??

One thing they definitely ask is if you're physically and mentally able to work. They also want to know if you have any restrictions on the type of work you can do or hours you're available. If you have any medical issues or childcare constraints, be prepared to explain how that affects your job search.

The Washington ESD phone system is absolutely terrible. I've been trying to get through for weeks about my own adjudication issues. Has anyone else had success with that Claimyr service mentioned earlier? I'm desperate at this point.

Here's what you should have ready for the interview: your Social Security number, details about your last employer (name, address, dates of employment), your reason for leaving, any severance or vacation pay received, and your job search activities. If you were laid off, they might ask about whether you were given advance notice and if there were any performance issues leading up to the layoff.

I had my interview last month and they asked about my salary at my last job and whether I was looking for work at the same pay level. They also wanted to know if I was willing to relocate for work. The interviewer was actually pretty nice and explained things clearly.

oh and they asked me if i was getting any other benefits like workers comp or disability. also if i was doing any volunteer work or going to school. seems like they want to know about anything that might affect your availability for work

The whole Washington ESD system is a nightmare. I've been waiting 2 months for my interview and still no call. Meanwhile I'm behind on rent and can't get anyone to tell me what's going on with my claim. This is ridiculous!

During my interview they asked if I had any union benefits or pension payments coming. Also wanted to know about any freelance or gig work I might be doing. They're pretty thorough about checking for any income sources.

My interview was about 3 weeks ago and I still haven't heard back about whether my claim was approved. How long does it usually take to get a decision after the interview?

I actually used Claimyr when I needed to reschedule my interview because of a family emergency. They helped me get through to someone who could change the appointment. Saved me a lot of stress.

They asked me about my previous job duties and qualifications. I think they wanted to make sure I was looking for appropriate work based on my experience. Also asked about my education and any certifications I have.

The interview wasn't as bad as I expected. Just be honest about everything and don't try to hide anything. They can verify most of what you tell them anyway. The worst thing you can do is lie or leave out important information.

Does anyone know if they ask about your finances during the interview? Like how much money you have saved or whether you're getting help from family?

My advice is to speak clearly and don't rush your answers. If you don't understand a question, ask them to repeat it or explain what they're looking for. The interviewers are used to people being nervous.

I had to do a phone interview and then they scheduled a second one! Has this happened to anyone else? I'm worried there's something wrong with my claim.

The most important thing is to answer their questions completely and honestly. Don't volunteer information they don't ask for, but make sure you fully answer what they do ask. And remember, they're not trying to trick you - they just need to verify the information on your claim.

I went through this exact same situation last year and completely understand your anxiety! The interview ended up being much less intimidating than I expected. They asked standard questions about why I left my job, my availability to work, and my job search efforts. Since you mentioned you were laid off due to company downsizing, they'll likely just want to confirm the details and make sure you're actively looking for work. One tip that helped me - have a pen and paper ready to jot down any important information they give you during the call. The whole process took about 25 minutes and the interviewer was actually quite professional and understanding. You've got this!