Work Search Requirement

Under Maine law, anyone filing for unemployment benefits must show they are actively seeking work to receive weekly benefits.

All claimants must conduct at least one work search related activity each week.

All unemployment claimants must have an active account on the Maine JobLink: https://joblink.maine.gov/.
The Maine JobLink is an online tool where you can,

  • Post a resume.
  • Search for a job or training opportunity.
  • Research labor market information to help target your job search.
  • and much more.

Please note that browsing the Maine JobLink does not meet the requirements for a work search activity. You must complete an action related to applying, communicating, or interviewing for suitable employment.
Online JobLink workshops teach participants how to create and use a JobLink account. Information on how to register for a workshop can be found at http://www.mainecareercenter.com/employment/workshops.shtml.

Acceptable weekly work search activities are:
You are required to take part in at least one activity each week. You must document your work search contacts and activities on your weekly certification. Record your work search activities, documents, and contacts for weeks filed. You may be asked to provide proof of work search activities later.

  • Interviewing for a job for which you are reasonably qualified.
  • Applying for a job for which you are reasonably qualified and willing to accept.
  • Participating in a job fair hosted by a CareerCenter.
  • Participating in CareerCenter virtual or in-person reemployment services.
  • Participating in a CareerCenter workshop related to seeking employment.
  • Contact an employer about an opening that you are interested in.
  • Participating in a Union Hiring Hall if you are part of a qualifying Union AND an active member.

Note: Browsing the Internet or newspapers is a good way to find potential job openings or leads. It is not an approved work search activity unless you submit an actual application, but it is a good tool.

If you have a definite return to work date with your former or regular employer, you are not required to do a work search for up to six weeks during your layoff period.

This six-week period starts when you report your return-to-work date on your initial claim, weekly claim, or when your employer reports it. 
If your layoff period is more than six weeks, you must conduct a work search activity for any weeks not covered by the six weeks.

You must conduct a work search activity if your return-to-work date is unknown.

Each week, you will complete a weekly claim where you identify the type of activity you performed.

Documenting an Activity

  • Business address and phone number.
  • The name of the contact person at the business.
  • The position you called about, spoke about at a CareerCenter event or applied for.

Work search activities are subject to random audits. Document your activities. If you are unable to document your activities, benefits may be denied for that week.

The first time you do not take part in a work search activity, you will receive a reminder letter. If otherwise eligible, benefits would not be denied for that week.

If you do not take part in a work search activity after the reminder, you could be denied benefits for that week. You will be contacted for information about why you didn’t complete a work search to determine if you are eligible for benefits for the week.

If benefits were already paid on a week that is later denied as a result of this review, the benefits for the week would have to be repaid to MDOL.

MDOL must conduct random work search audits to confirm the work search activities provided in your weekly claim. You must maintain documentation of your activities. Benefits may be denied for that week if you cannot provide documents to support your work search activity.

You do not need to call or tell the Department you no longer need unemployment benefits. Stop filing, and the system will note your claim as inactive after three weeks. Please note that any earnings from a new job must be reported for the week during which you worked and earned them, not when you receive your first paycheck.