Work Search Required for All Claimants

To get unemployment benefits, you must actively look for work and record your job searches each week. Get started the week that you apply for benefits.

To get benefits, you must:

1. Register to look for a job with NCWorks.gov. You can use NCWorks to search and apply for jobs and find training opportunities.
2. Reach out to at least three different job contacts each week. These can be three different employers or the same employer for different jobs. One of these contacts can be replaced by attending a job fair or workshop offered by an NCWorks Career Center or a partnering agency.
3. Keep a record of your work search activities and job contacts. You must keep a record of your work searches every week while you are claiming unemployment benefits, and keep this record for five years as DES may need to review it.

Unemployment Work Search Requirements

What can I do to meet my work search requirements each week?

• Register with NCWorks.gov.

• Reach out to at least three job contacts each week and apply for jobs that match your qualifications, knowledge, abilities, and/or skills. Each week, one of your contacts can be participation in a reemployment activity.

• Keep a record of your work search activities and job contacts.

What is an acceptable work search contact?

• Submitting a job application, resume, letter of interest, etc.

• In-person meeting or interview with an employer (also includes contact at job fairs or similar events, or video interviews).

• Send an email to an employer.

• A reemployment activity can count toward one of your three weekly employer contacts.

• Initial registration with NCWorks.gov (can only count once).

What kinds of reemployment activities may count as job contacts?

• Training opportunities

• Career counseling

• Skills assessment

• Job clubs and/or networking groups

• Career fairs

If you have any questions about a specific reemployment activity not listed, please contact your local NCWorks Career Center.

Keeping a Record of Your Work Search

You must keep a detailed record of your work search activities each week. You will get a blank Work Search Record form that you can use to document your work search activities. You must keep these records for five years in case DES needs to review your work searches. 

Download a blank Work Search Record.  

Your work search searches must include:

• Date of employer contact or reemployment activity

• Company or activity name

• Contact method (e.g., in person, by phone, by email, online). Contact information is needed based on the method of contact:

  • In person - physical address

  • By phone - phone number

  • By email - email address

  • Online - website address

What happens if I do not record my work search activities?

Failure to comply can impact benefit eligibility. Those recording their work search activities in MyNCUIBenefits who fail to comply will have an issue raised preventing payment. Those not recording activities in MyNCUIBenefits would experience an issue resulting in overpayment.

What if I return to work?

Report your return to work as soon as you begin working again. Do not wait until you get your first paycheck.

Report your return to work immediately by calling 888-737-0259.