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. You must record your work searches every week while you are claiming unemployment benefits. You must enter your work searches and job contacts into your MyNCUIBenefits account before you are able to file your weekly certification.

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 enter your work search activities each week into your MyNCUIBenefits account. If you completely enter all your work search activities into your MyNCUIBenefits account, the system will store them. It is recommended that you save a copy of your records for two years.

You can download and use a blank Work Search Activity Correction Form to fix any mistakes you may have made when you entered your work search activities into your MyNCUIBenefits account.

Download a blank Work Search Activity Correction Form.  

Your work 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?

It is not necessary to contact DES. The claimant simply needs to stop filing for benefits. Or if they continue to file for benefits, they must report all earnings.