This has been such an educational thread! I'm currently on unemployment and was definitely overthinking the job search requirements. Reading through everyone's experiences has really helped me understand that Washington ESD wants to see genuine effort rather than just checking boxes. I've been keeping a basic list of my applications, but after seeing how important detailed documentation can be (especially if you get audited), I'm going to upgrade to a more comprehensive tracking system. One thing that really stood out to me is how many different activities actually count - I had no idea that networking events, temp agency visits, and even relevant training courses could fulfill the requirements. I've been limiting myself to just online applications, which sometimes made it challenging to find 3 legitimate opportunities each week in my field. Now I can be more strategic about mixing different types of job search activities while still focusing primarily on actual employment opportunities. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences and tips. It's so much better to learn from people who have actually navigated this process successfully rather than trying to decode the sometimes confusing official guidelines!

I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences! As someone who just started collecting unemployment benefits, this thread has been incredibly valuable. I was getting anxious about the job search requirements because the official Washington ESD website isn't super clear about what specifically counts. Reading through all these responses, I feel much more confident now. I've been doing mostly online applications through Indeed and LinkedIn, but I didn't realize that each individual application counts as a separate contact. I also had no idea that networking activities, temp agency visits, and even relevant training courses could count toward the weekly requirements. I'm definitely going to start keeping better records in a spreadsheet like several people suggested. The audit stories are a bit scary but it sounds like as long as you're genuinely trying to find work and documenting everything properly, you'll be fine. One follow-up question - for those who have been through audits, how much time did Washington ESD give you to provide your documentation? I want to make sure I'm prepared but wondering if they give you a reasonable amount of time to gather everything together.

I'm a para in my third year and just wanted to add some encouragement - the process really has gotten much smoother! I was terrified my first summer filing, but now it's just part of my routine. One thing that helped me a lot was setting up direct deposit before filing my claim - it meant I got my payments faster once they started. Also, if you're feeling overwhelmed by all the requirements, remember that Washington ESD has a pretty good FAQ section on their website specifically for school employees. I bookmarked it and referred back to it whenever I had questions during my first summer claim. The job search part becomes second nature after a few weeks - I actually discovered some great professional development opportunities while applying to various positions that helped me in my role when I returned to school. You've got this!

I'm a first-year para who's been following this thread closely and wanted to say thank you to everyone who shared their experiences! As someone who's never filed for unemployment before, I was really anxious about the whole process, but reading all these success stories has given me so much confidence. I especially appreciate the practical tips about timing (filing Sunday evenings), documentation (keeping HR correspondence), and job search resources (SchoolSpring sounds great). It's clear that paras do qualify for benefits during summer break as long as we're honest about our employment status and stay on top of the weekly requirements. I'm planning to call my HR department next week to clarify my employment end date and then file my claim right after my contract ends in June. This community has been incredibly helpful for navigating something that felt really overwhelming at first!

I had my RESEA meeting about two months ago and wanted to share my experience since I can see you're feeling anxious about it! The meeting was actually much more helpful than I expected. My specialist was really knowledgeable and took the time to understand my specific situation rather than just going through a checklist. We reviewed my 2 weeks of job search logs (they really do only need those 2 weeks as stated in your letter), discussed my search strategy, and she gave me some great feedback on my resume when I shared my screen. What made it valuable was that she had insights about my industry that I hadn't considered and pointed me toward some local networking opportunities. The whole thing took about 45 minutes and I left feeling like I had just gotten free career counseling. One tip: be prepared to discuss not just what jobs you're applying for, but also your long-term career goals and any barriers you're facing. They seem genuinely interested in helping you succeed. Since you're already keeping detailed logs and actively searching, you're going to do great!

I just had my RESEA meeting three days ago and wanted to share since I see so many helpful responses here! Like many of you, I was really nervous beforehand, but it turned out to be genuinely useful. The specialist was super professional and started by verifying my identity, then we went through my job search logs from the past 2 weeks (confirming what everyone said - you really only need those 2 weeks). What made it valuable was the discussion about my search approach. She helped me realize I was being too narrow in my job titles and suggested expanding to related roles I hadn't considered. We also did a quick resume review via screen share and she gave me some formatting tips that I've already implemented. The meeting took about 50 minutes and ended with her sending me contact info for a local recruiter who specializes in my field. I was dreading this meeting but honestly came away with actionable advice that's already helping my search. Just be honest about your efforts, have your 2 weeks organized, and go in with an open mind - you might be surprised how helpful it is!

I'm going through something very similar right now. Filed my appeal in September after being wrongly denied for "job abandonment" when I was actually terminated. My hearing was in early October and went well - I had documentation showing I was let go, not that I quit. But it's been over 8 weeks now and still no decision. The financial stress is really getting to me. Seeing everyone mention claimyr.com is encouraging though - I think I'll try that tomorrow to see if I can get any updates. Thanks for sharing your experience, it helps to know I'm not the only one dealing with these ridiculous delays.

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation. Filed my appeal in late September after being denied for "voluntary quit" when I was actually laid off due to company downsizing. Had my hearing in November and it went really well - provided all my layoff paperwork and the judge seemed convinced. My former employer also didn't participate in the hearing. It's been about 7 weeks now and I'm still waiting for the decision. The uncertainty is killing me financially and emotionally. I've been continuing to file my weekly claims but getting $0 each week. Reading through all these responses is both reassuring and frustrating - reassuring to know the timeline I'm experiencing is unfortunately normal, but frustrating that the system is so backed up. I think I'm going to try that claimyr service everyone's mentioning to see if I can at least get a status update. Thanks for posting this - it really helps to know others are going through the same ordeal.

I've been working temp assignments in Washington for over two years and have filed unemployment claims between assignments several times. You're absolutely eligible - when a temp assignment ends, it's considered a separation from employment just like any other job ending. The most important thing is to file immediately, even if the agency says they "might" have something coming up. I made the mistake once of waiting because my coordinator said they'd probably have something "within a week or two" and ended up waiting almost a month while missing out on benefits I could have collected. File your claim online at esd.wa.gov this weekend and make sure you have your final paystub and any separation paperwork from the agency. Don't overthink it - temp work is inherently unstable and that's exactly why unemployment benefits exist. You paid into the system through your paychecks and you've earned the right to use it when assignments end.

I've been in this exact situation before and everyone's advice here is spot on. One thing I'd add is to make sure you understand the difference between being "laid off" versus "quitting" when you fill out your application. Since your temp assignment ended and the agency doesn't have immediate work available, that's definitely a layoff situation - not a quit. This distinction is really important for your eligibility. Also, when they ask about your availability for work, make it clear that you're ready to accept suitable employment, including potential callbacks from the temp agency. The system is designed to help bridge these gaps between assignments, so don't hesitate to use it. File this weekend and you should be good to go!