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WorkSource specialist appointment required for unemployment - what to expect?

I received a letter yesterday saying I need to schedule an appointment with a WorkSource employment specialist as part of my unemployment requirements. The letter says I have to bring my resume and all my job search logs to the appointment. From what I understand, they just review your resume and give advice on job applications, but I'm not sure what else to expect. Has anyone gone through this recently? What was your experience like? Were you required to do any ongoing follow-up meetings after the initial appointment? I'm worried about what happens if they don't think my job search efforts are sufficient.

Caleb Stone

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had mine last month. pretty basic meeting tbh. they just looked at my resume and suggested some changes. gave me some links to job search websites (indeed, linkedin, etc) that i was already using. took about 45 minutes. no followup required for me but i think it depends on your situation

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Jade Santiago

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Thanks for sharing! Did they give you a hard time about your job search logs? I'm worried mine aren't detailed enough.

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Daniel Price

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I completed my WorkSource appointment in January. It's part of ESD's reemployment services program (RESEA). They review your resume, job search activities, and discuss your job hunting strategy. They'll verify you're meeting the 3 job search activities per week requirement and help identify additional resources. The need for follow-up appointments varies. If they identify concerns with your job search activities or think you need additional assistance, they might schedule follow-ups. Otherwise, it's just the one meeting. Make sure your job search log is complete with detailed information about each activity (company name, position, date, contact information, application method, etc.). It's not meant to be punitive - it's designed to help you find suitable employment faster.

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Jade Santiago

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This is really helpful, thank you! I've been doing my 3 activities every week but sometimes I don't write down all the details like the company contact info. Should I go back and try to fill those in before my appointment?

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Daniel Price

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Yes, I'd recommend going back and adding as many details as possible to your job search logs before your appointment. Each entry should ideally include: - Date of activity - Company name - Position title - Contact person (if available) - Company contact info (phone/email/website) - Method of application/contact - Brief description of the activity Having complete records shows you're taking your job search seriously, which is what they're looking for.

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Olivia Evans

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THESE MEETINGS ARE A WASTE OF TIME!!! I had to do one back in november and all they did was tell me stuff i already knew. the lady spent 20 minutes showing me how to search on indeed like i'm some kinda boomer who never used the internet before!!! but you HAVE TO go or they will cut off your benefits so just smile and nod

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Jade Santiago

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Oh no, that sounds frustrating! Did they at least approve your job search logs without any issues?

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Olivia Evans

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yeah they didnt have any problems with my logs. just bring whatever youve been submitting to ESD every week and youll be fine. just dont argue with them and it'll be over quick

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Sophia Bennett

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I had my WorkSource appointment about 2 months ago. The specialist actually helped me improve my resume quite a bit and pointed me toward some industry-specific job boards I didn't know about. They did go through my job search logs carefully, so make sure yours are up to date. In my case, they scheduled a follow-up meeting because I was interested in some of their free workshops. But it wasn't mandatory - more like optional additional support. I ended up attending their LinkedIn optimization workshop which was surprisingly useful. One tip: if you're having trouble reaching ESD about any issues with your claim, I discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to an ESD agent without waiting on hold for hours. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration when I had questions about my claim that WorkSource couldn't answer.

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Jade Santiago

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Thanks for the tip about Claimyr! I've been trying to call ESD about a separate issue and can never get through. I'll check out that video. Did you have to bring a physical copy of your resume or could you just show them a digital version?

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Sophia Bennett

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I brought both physical and digital copies of my resume, which was good because my specialist preferred working with the paper version so she could make notes on it. For the job search logs, I had mine in a spreadsheet that I printed out. But I know someone who just showed their digital logs and that was fine too. Might depend on which specialist you get.

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Aiden Chen

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my appt was a disaster lol. i forgot my job search logs and had to reschedule. don't be like me! set a reminder on ur phone. but when i finally went it wasn't bad, lady was nice and mostly just wanted to make sure I was actually looking for work. she said my resume needed work tho

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Zoey Bianchi

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This is important advice. If you miss or need to reschedule your WorkSource appointment without proper notice, ESD could potentially issue a denial of benefits for that week. Always contact them ASAP if you can't make your scheduled appointment.

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I've been through this process twice during different unemployment periods. Here's what to expect: 1. They'll review your resume for improvements - be open to suggestions even if you think your resume is already good. 2. They'll verify your job search logs meet requirements - make sure each entry has complete information. 3. They'll discuss your job search strategy and might suggest different approaches or industries based on your skills. 4. They'll introduce WorkSource services like workshops, training programs, and job fairs. As for follow-ups, it varies by region and individual circumstances. In my first experience, I had mandatory bi-weekly check-ins for about two months. In my second experience (different county), I just had the one meeting with optional resources afterward. The key is demonstrating that you're making genuine efforts to find work. If they believe you're doing everything reasonably possible, they typically don't require ongoing meetings. But if they feel you need more guidance or structure, they might schedule follow-ups.

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Jade Santiago

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This is super helpful, thank you! I'm curious - did they actually contact any of the employers listed in your job search logs to verify your applications? Someone told me they sometimes do that and now I'm worried.

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In my experience, they didn't contact employers during the meeting. However, ESD does conduct random audits where they may contact employers to verify information. This typically happens separately from the WorkSource appointment process. As long as your job search information is accurate, you shouldn't worry about this. The WorkSource meeting is more focused on helping you improve your job search strategy rather than investigating your past activities.

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Zoey Bianchi

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Just to add some important information: these WorkSource appointments (often called RESEA - Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment) are federally mandated for certain unemployment claimants. The selection is usually based on various factors that might indicate you could benefit from additional assistance. The meeting serves two purposes: 1. To provide personalized job search assistance 2. To verify you're meeting unemployment eligibility requirements Failure to attend without a good reason can result in benefit denial, so it's critical to keep the appointment or reschedule in advance if necessary. For your job search logs, make sure they clearly show you're meeting the 3 job search activities per week requirement. Each activity should be fully documented with specific details. If you've been recording your activities through the ESD online portal, print those out to bring with you.

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Jade Santiago

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Thank you for explaining this so clearly! One more question - I've been applying to jobs that might be a bit of a stretch for my qualifications. Will that be a problem during this review?

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Zoey Bianchi

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Applying for positions that stretch your qualifications isn't generally a problem. In fact, WorkSource specialists often encourage reasonable career advancement and exploring adjacent fields. They understand job seekers need to cast a wide net. However, they do want to see that you're also applying for positions you're clearly qualified for, as those represent your most immediate employment opportunities. A good mix of both stretch positions and clearly suitable roles shows a comprehensive job search strategy. Just be prepared to explain your thought process if they ask about applications that seem outside your experience level.

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