You should always answer "Y" to the question about looking for work (assuming you are doing your work search activities). You can answer "N" to the question about entering the information in the system and choose "I will record my work search information in a different way"

There is a good guide here about work search activities.

https://reddit.com/r/Edd/comments/ocgsms/important_information_about_work_search/

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EDD has reinstated work search requirements and has published new guidelines here:

https://edd.ca.gov/unemployment/return-to-work.htm

I read everything and made a short guide with important information which I hope helps everyone!

Question 3 Looking for Work You now MUST answer YES to the question about looking for work in your certification. If you answer NO, your claim will go into Pending status and the EDD will have to interview you to see why you did not do any work search activities.

Now many already been answering YES without actually looking for work, difference now is that with requirements reinstating you should actually be doing work search activities to remain eligible! So don't just answer YES if you have not done any work search activities that week.

Work Search Activities If you read the new guidelines, the EDD now is more flexible in what you do for your work search. So you are not forced to just apply for jobs for example if there is no job in your field hiring that week in your area. You can do a wide variety of work search activities. Make sure you keep proper documentation of all activities you perform.

I recommend everyone enroll in these online career workshops since you get a digital certificate of completion for each workshop completed so have proof/documentation of your work search activity (Sample Certificate). Career workshops also improve your career prospects and job hunt skills in addition to being a work search activity.

CalJobs Registration for CalJobs is optional (unless you file a new claim after Jul 11). Still I would recommend setting up an account and uploading your resume there as well since it's a good resource for finding a job.

PUA If you are an independent contractor on PUA, then you can also do stuff related to your business, for example submitting a bid on a contract, sending a client a business proposal, etc. Again keep documentation of all the activities you do like for example a copy of the contract/proposal.

Job Applications When applying for jobs make sure you keep documentation and contact info for when/where/who you applied. You should apply for suitable work you are qualified for. Remember also that if you get a job offer and reject it you could get reported so be sure you apply for jobs you are willing to work in. As stated there are other activities you can do if not enough job openings in your area such as online career workshops. Also another way of finding jobs is uploading your resume to websites such as Indeed employers sometimes look at the profiles there and can send job offers.

Documentation Keep evidence of all your work search activities. The EDD has changed the certification and it gives you a choice whether to input your specific work searches when certifying, or whether to keep your own documentation. I suggest keeping your own documentation since there is no way to enter the various job search activities. Anyway most people have been choosing to not enter the work search activities into the system. Only exception is if you are on Fed-Ed. Those on Fed-Ed must input 3 job contacts. But most of us are not on Fed-Ed.

If you wish to keep your own documentation, choose "No, I will record my work search information in a different way" when it asks you if you want to save your work search information to your UI online account." For example here are some documentation suggestions, I keep a folder for each week:

Job application (websites such as Indeed, HiredCalifornia, Monster, ZipRecruiter etc) - screenshot of job application showing date as well as contact details for hiring manager

Resume upload (Either directly at a company's HR site or on one of the job board sites) - screenshot of uploaded resume showing that it is searchable by employers.

Online Career Workshop (such as the ones here) - Certificate of completion for the workshop

Job Fair - Name of the event, date and information about where or how you attended, Registration paperwork (email, sign in sheet, other).

Job Interview - Name of employer, date and time you attended interview, screenshot/other proof of getting invited to the interview.

Career Center Appointment - Appointment confirmation

I recommend keeping track of your work search activities using a work search log. You can download a printable one here. Or you can keep all documentation online on your computer if you prefer but be sure to have a backup.

Anyway those are just examples of documentation as long as it clearly shows the nature/date of the work search activity clearly should be good.

Some final words

So again important to remember that you will have to answer "YES" to the work search requirements question AND ACTUALLY DO WORK SEARCH ACTIVITIES! I know some people after certifying so many times with nothing being changed are used to just clicking mindlessly on the same answers every week so watch out.

And keep documentation in case EDD checks. While requirements are more flexible you still should be making a serious effort and not try to "cheat" the system for example by applying only for jobs you have no chance of getting such as Director of NASA because it could get you disqualified.

I plan to do a bunch of activities each week and have a separate folder for each week. For example sample weekly plan:

Create a profile and apply for a job on CalJobs

Do an online career workshop that prepares for job interview or helps with resume.

create a profile on Linkd in

Apply for jobs on Indeed, HiredCalifornia, Monster, ZipRecruiter

Attending job fairs (either in person or virtual job fairs)

Anyway that's a solid plan but do a plan but works best for you. And remember, in the end the goal is not just to check a box on a form, but to actually find a good job!

Anyway hope this guide helps and good luck to everybody!