When does unemployment increase in Washington - seasonal patterns?

That makes sense about construction slowing down. Should he file for unemployment benefits right away or wait to see if work picks up?

File immediately! There's a waiting week before benefits start, and Washington ESD processes can take time. Don't wait - he can always cancel if he finds work quickly.

This is so true! I work retail and we always have massive layoffs right after New Year's. It's brutal timing for everyone.

Same pattern in restaurants - tons of seasonal workers through the holidays then cuts in January. Makes the job market super competitive.

Thanks for the tip! We've been trying to call for days but keep getting busy signals or getting disconnected.

I'm skeptical of services like this. Isn't it better to just keep trying the regular number?

I thought the same thing initially, but after spending weeks getting nowhere with regular calls, it was worth trying something different. Got through the same day I used it.

That's a good point. Are we in a recession right now? I keep hearing mixed signals about the economy.

Not officially, but there are definitely signs of economic uncertainty. The job market is still relatively strong but more volatile than it was a few years ago.

Good observation! Summer unemployment affects different demographics - lots of younger workers and education professionals competing for temporary positions.

yeah my sister is a teacher and she files for unemployment every summer since her district doesn't pay over breaks

Hang in there! Have you filed for unemployment benefits? Even if you're actively looking, the benefits can help bridge the gap until hiring picks up.

Yeah I'm getting UI benefits but it's not enough to cover all my expenses. The waiting is killing me.

I feel for you. My brother is going through the same stress. This time of year is just brutal for job hunting.

He's in residential construction, so probably follows the winter slowdown pattern you mentioned.

Exactly. Residential construction typically sees layoffs November through February, then hiring ramps up in March when weather improves and building permits increase.

Good idea! The Employment Security Department publishes monthly labor market reports that show exactly these kinds of patterns.

I'll check that out. Would be helpful to see the actual numbers instead of just guessing.

This is so true! I've been trying to get through to ESD for weeks about an issue with my weekly claim and it's impossible.

That's exactly the situation where Claimyr helps. During high-volume periods, their system can get you connected when regular calling methods fail.

The Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions also impact this. Higher rates can trigger more layoffs as companies cut costs.

So we're probably heading into the worst part of the year for unemployment right now?

Unfortunately yes, but knowing the pattern helps with planning. Your brother should prepare for a 2-3 month job search but also know it will get easier after March.

ugh that's depressing but probably true. more people looking for work when there are already fewer jobs available

Great, so I'm competing with both laid-off workers AND people making career changes. This keeps getting better.

He's in the Tacoma area, so probably follows more of the Seattle-region patterns.

That area has a mix of construction, manufacturing, and service industries. Winter slowdown will affect him, but there's usually more year-round opportunity than in purely seasonal markets.

Those are helpful benchmarks. Current rates are still relatively low historically, but the seasonal increase is definitely happening now.

At least it sounds like we're not in a full recession yet, just dealing with normal seasonal patterns.

YES! This is exactly what I'm dealing with. My claim has been in adjudication for two weeks with no explanation.

That's another situation where Claimyr really helps - getting through to an actual ESD agent to ask about adjudication delays instead of just waiting indefinitely.

Wait, do they adjust the job search requirements based on unemployment rates? I thought it was always the same.

Not officially, but they do audit job search logs more carefully when there are more claimants. Better to document everything thoroughly during busy periods.

Good thinking! Tax preparation services, indoor retail, healthcare, and some government positions do hire during winter months.

Customer service and call center work also tends to be consistent year-round. Not glamorous but it's employment.

That's actually encouraging! Maybe my brother should look into training programs while he's looking for work.

worksource has some decent programs but they fill up fast when unemployment is high. apply early if you're interested

This is really helpful advice. I'll pass it along to him. At least now we know what to expect timeline-wise.

Thanks for laying it out so clearly. It helps to have realistic expectations instead of just hoping things will magically improve.

I'm still skeptical about third-party services, but I have to admit the regular system is pretty broken when everyone's trying to use it at once.

At this point I'm willing to try anything that actually works. Thanks for all the advice everyone!