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OhioMeansJobs Unemployment Guide

Do you receive unemployment benefits? We're here to help with your job search! Not sure where to start? We'll tell you how to make the most of OhioMeansJobs so it can help you reach your career goals.

IMPORTANT: If you applied for a new unemployment benefit account on or after April 11, 2014, you must personally complete the Week 8 and Week 20 activities below. You can complete them early or all at once, just as long as you complete them by the deadline dates listed on the “Reemployment Activity” portion of your “New Claim Instruction Sheet.” The Office of Unemployment Compensation will send you this form within a week of receiving your application. Failure to complete these activities by the deadlines can cause your unemployment benefits to STOP until the activity is completed.
If you are legally prohibited from using a computer, if you have a physical or visual impairment that prevents you from using a computer, or if you have a limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English, you must contact your local OhioMeansJobs Center to be scheduled for an in-person appointment to get help completing these activities. To find an OhioMeansJobs Center near you, click here or call 1-888-296-7541 Option #3.
Not proficient in English? Call 1-877-644-6562 for assistance.

Español:
Los clientes sin conocimiento del idioma inglés pueden llamar al 1-877-644-6562 o al centro de tramitación que les fue asignado.


Somali:
Macaamiisha aan xirfad fiican u laheyn luuqada ingiriiska waxay wici karaan 1-877-644-6562 ama xaruntooda ay howsha ka socoto.

Before Week 8:

Sign In to OhioMeansJobs and Create a Profile

When you applied for unemployment compensation, you were asked questions so we could automatically register you on OhioMeansJobs. To make sure we set up your account properly, we'll ask you for the OhioMeansJobs username and temporary password sent to you in two separate notices from the Office of Unemployment Compensation. You will need to change the temporary password to one of your choice. Follow the instructions and keep the notices for future reference.

Next, you’ll be asked some simple questions about yourself. Your answers will be used to create your online “profile,” where you can store your resumes, job search results, assessments, career plans, etc.

It's OK if you don't have an email address, but we strongly encourage you to have one. This will make it easier for us to send you weekly job leads, and easier for employers to get in touch with you.
Sign in now

Required by Week 8:

Create or Upload Your Own Active Resume

When we created your OhioMeansJobs account, we posted a temporary resume on your behalf. You have eight weeks to create or upload a new resume containing a more detailed work history. (If you already had an active OhioMeansJobs account with an active resume, you have already met this requirement.)

If you don’t have a resume, you can use the OhioMeansJobs “Resume Builder” to create one. You can even choose to have your resume rated so you can see how to make it better. You must complete this task within eight weeks of filing your application in order to remain eligible for benefits (unless your work search and reemployment activity requirement has been waived). See your “New Claim Instruction Sheet” for your deadline date. Whether you upload an existing resume or build a new one, be sure to mark it “Active” not “Inactive”. To get started managing your resume, click on “Manage Resumes” on the right.
Manage Resumes

Required by Week 20:

Create a Career Profile

Answer a few questions about your likes and dislikes, and you’ll get a report showing the kind of work that may suit you best. Then you can search for potential careers based on your results. You must complete this assessment within 20 weeks of filing your application in order to remain eligible for unemployment benefits (unless your work search and reemployment activity requirement has been waived). See your “New Claim Instruction Sheet” for your deadline date. To get started, click on “Go To Career Profile” on the right.
GO TO CAREER PROFILE

When Your Benefits End:

Still Looking For Work? Make Sure We Have Your Email Address

If you haven't already, make sure you have a valid email address on file with your OhioMeansJobs account. If you do not have a valid email address on file with us after your benefits end, your account will be deactivated. You can enter or change your email address from the "Account Settings" page.
ACCOUNT SETTINGS

Other Resources on OhioMeansJobs

Additional Work Search Activities

See what other activities will meet the Weekly Work Search Requirements for Unemployment Insurance (UI)
Go to Work Search

Complete Your Core Practice Assessments

The Core Assessment Practice Tests for mathematics, reading and locating information measure real-world skills and can help identify careers that match your skills and interests. To get started, click on “View Practice Assessments” on the right.
VIEW PRACTICE ASSESSMENTS

Get out there!

Use our job search tools to help you find jobs that interest you. You can save entire jobs searches or individual job postings that you’d like to apply to. Mark them as "Applied" after you apply. Use OhioMeansJobs to keep track of your progress.
SEARCH JOBS

Set Up a Career Plan

Career Plans will help you set career goals and stick to them. Select the occupation you want, add career activities to your recommended activities and set deadlines for yourself to stay on track.
MANAGE CAREER PLANS

Find Your Target Salary

Use the “Budget Calculator” to total your monthly expenses and find out the salary you’ll need to pay those expenses comfortably. You’ll also get a list of occupations that pay that salary, ranked in order of demand.
GO TO BUDGET CALCULATOR
If you have questions about any of the above requirements, contact your processing center at the toll-free number listed on your "New Claim Instruction Sheet."

If your situation changes, you can make changes to your OhioMeansJobs account at any time by visiting your Account Settings.