Where to find approved ESD videos for job search requirements + how to file weekly claim by phone?

For the videos that count toward job search activities, you need to log into your WorkSourceWA.com account first. Click on "My Dashboard" and look for the "Job Search Activities" section. There's a tab for "Workshops and Training" where they list all the approved videos. You can watch these and they'll count as job search activities, but make sure you complete the little quiz/survey at the end of each one so it registers in the system! As for filing by phone, the number is 800-318-6022. You'll need your SSN and PIN ready. The prompts are pretty straightforward - press 1 for English, then listen for the weekly claim option (I think it's 1 again). It's mostly keypad entries, but you might need to speak answers for some yes/no questions. Just take it slow and write down your confirmation number at the end.

the videos r ok but tbh some r boring af. make sure u do the quiz at end or it dont count!!! the system is super picky

I've used the videos for job search activities when I was recovering from surgery and couldn't attend in-person workshops. They're actually pretty helpful, especially the resume building and interview prep ones. Just be aware that you can only count a maximum of 3 video workshops per week toward your job search requirements. For the phone claim system, it's automated and available 24/7, but I'd recommend calling during non-peak hours if possible. Early morning (before 8am) or evenings seem to work best. The system will guide you through all the same questions you answer online. Have your work search log handy because it might ask you for details about your job search activities for the week.

I tried filing by phone once and got stuck in this weird loop where it kept asking me the same question over and over. Ended up having to call back three times before it worked. Just a heads up that the phone system can be glitchy sometimes.

CAREFUL with those videos!!!! I did 4 of them in one week thinking I'd be ahead of the game and ESD only counted 3 of them! Then they flagged my account for "insufficient job search activities" because I thought I had done enough but apparently there's a limit they don't clearly tell you about. Had to go through a whole thing to fix it. The system is DESIGNED to trip people up I swear.

lol i never even knew bout videos. been doing applications this whole time like a sucker

One more thing about the phone system - make sure you have a pen and paper ready to write down your confirmation number at the end of the call. If the call drops or something goes wrong and you don't have that number, it's a huge hassle to prove you actually filed your claim for the week. Also, the WorkSource videos are great if you have limited transportation options or health issues that make it hard to get to in-person workshops. Just remember they reset the available videos periodically, so you can't just watch the same ones over and over across different weeks.

For anyone following this thread who's curious about job search activities beyond the videos - ESD accepts a wide range of activities including informational interviews, networking events, and creating profiles on job boards. I found it helpful to mix up my activities each week. Also, for the phone claim system: if you have any special situations like working part-time or being on standby, the phone system will ask additional questions. Just answer honestly and carefully. If you make a mistake, there's usually an option to go back and correct it before submitting.

Just wanted to add my experience with both of these! For the videos, I've been using them regularly and they're honestly a lifesaver when you can't get to WorkSource in person. The key thing is to make sure you're logged into your WorkSourceWA account BEFORE you start watching - I made the mistake of watching a whole video without being logged in and it didn't count at all. One tip: if you're having trouble finding the videos, try searching for "virtual workshops" in the WorkSourceWA system - sometimes they're listed under that category instead of just "videos." For the phone system, I've used it several times when my laptop was acting up. The 800-318-6022 number works great, but here's something nobody mentioned - if you have direct deposit set up, the system will ask if you want to confirm your banking info. Just be ready for that question so you don't get thrown off. The whole process usually takes about 5-7 minutes if you have all your info ready. Good luck with your claim!

Another tip for the phone system - if you're calling from a noisy environment, find a quiet spot first! The system sometimes has trouble recognizing voice responses if there's background noise. I learned this the hard way when I tried calling from a coffee shop and had to restart the whole process. Also, regarding the WorkSource videos, I've found that the "Career Exploration" and "Workplace Skills" categories often have shorter videos (15-20 minutes) compared to some of the longer workshop recordings. These can be perfect if you need to squeeze in a quick job search activity but don't have time for a full hour-long session. One last thing - if you ever get an error message saying a video "failed to load" on WorkSourceWA, try switching browsers or clearing your cache. The site can be finicky with certain browser settings, but it usually works fine in Chrome or Firefox.

Just want to add a couple more things that might help! For the WorkSource videos, I discovered that some of them are also available in Spanish if that's helpful for anyone. You can filter by language in the search options. Also, regarding the phone claim system - if you're calling during a storm or power outage in your area, the automated system might run slower than usual. I've noticed this a few times during bad weather. Just be patient and don't hang up thinking it's broken - it usually catches up after a minute or two. One thing that really helped me was keeping a simple checklist by my phone with all the info I need: SSN, PIN, confirmation number from last week (if I have it), and my work search activities written down. Makes the whole process much smoother when you're not scrambling to remember details while on the call. Hope this helps anyone else dealing with spotty internet or trying to figure out the video system!

This thread is amazing! I've been struggling with both of these issues too. Just wanted to add that if you're using the phone system and accidentally press the wrong number during the prompts, don't panic and hang up - there's usually an option to press * or 0 to go back to the previous menu. I discovered this by accident when I fat-fingered a response and thought I'd have to start over. Also, for the WorkSource videos, I found it helpful to bookmark the "Job Search Activities" page once you find it, because navigating back to it through all the menus every time is a pain. And if you're planning to do multiple videos in one sitting, make sure to complete each quiz fully before starting the next video - I tried to speed through once and do all the quizzes at the end, but the system didn't register some of them properly. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! This is way more helpful than trying to decipher the official ESD website.