Reemployment Process: The Steps Toward Your Next Career

If you file for unemployment and are no longer attached to an employer (there is no joint expectation that you will soon go back to your former job), then you must register for work. You do this as part of filing an initial unemployment claim and submitting a resume on iowaworks.gov.  

In addition to being the place for filing unemployment claims, iowaworks.gov is a powerful online job and career services system that offers a host of employment tools, including job listings, resume assistance, a virtual recruiter, and much more. 

With a few exceptions, you will have to complete work search activities each week to receive unemployment benefits. To receive payments, you must: 

• Complete at least four work-search activities each week. (Three of these must be job applications.) 
• Select your non-job application activities from a list of 11 qualifying activities.  
• Note: IWD may give you a waiver from weakly work search requirements if you meet certain criteria.  

Keeping your unemployment claim in good standing requires that you enter your reemployment activities into iowaworks.gov and certifying them each week. You can enter these activities at any time, but you will complete/certify them when you file your weekly claim. 

Learn more about completing your reemployment activities at: How Do I complete My Weekly Work Search Activities? 

 There are 11 valid reemployment activities that can be used to satisfy your requirement to actively search for work each week. 

Self-Guided Activities: You can complete these activities on your own. 

1. Apply for a job by submitting a résumé or application online, in-person, by email, or through fax/mail.  
2. Take a civil service exam.  (Select "Proficiency Testing” when entering this activity in IowaWORKS.)  
3. Register with a placement facility of a school or college.  (Select “Career Planning Interview for a job (virtually, in person or at a job fair).  
4. Interview for a job virtually, in-person, or at a job fair.  
5. Attend any IowaWORKS workshop.  
   1. Select from this list of workshops when entering this activity:  
   2. Workshop - Résumé  
   3. Workshop - Job Search  
   4. Workshop - Financial Literacy  
   5. Workshop - Interviewing  
   6. Workshop - Employer Led  
   7. Workshop - Career Interest  
   8. Workshop - Digital Literacy  
   9. Workshop - Personal Growth  
   10. Workshop - Work Readiness  
   11. Workshop - Labor Market Information  
   12. Workshop - Unemployment Information  
   13. Workshop - Other  
   14. Workshop - Job Finding Club  
6. Attend job fair sponsored by IowaWORKS or partners. (Keep a flyer or advertisement and select “Workshop – Employer Led” when entering it in IowaWORKS.)  
7. Attend a scheduled career networking meeting hosted by IowaWORKS. (Select “Workshop - Job Finding Club” when reporting in IowaWORKS.”)  

Staff-Assisted Activities : You can get help to complete these through IowaWORKS.gov or from staff at your local IowaWORKS center. 

8. Create a work search plan. 
9. Have an appointment with an IowaWORKS career planner. 
10. Have an appointment with a core WIOA partner including Vocational Rehabilitation, Adult Basic Education, Wagner-Peyser or Title I partners. 
11. Conduct a mock job interview at IowaWORKS. 

Return to work programs are a tool that IWD uses to help you find a new job. These programs offer one-on-one support, resume and interview assistance, and connections to training and skill programs.  

You may be automatically placed into a program like Reemployment Case Management (RCM) or Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) while you’re unemployed. If chosen, you must complete the RESEA workshop or work with an RCM case manager. 

Reemployment Case Management (RCM) is designed to help you get back to work as soon as possible.  

• RCM provides one-on-one help at the beginning of your unemployment claim process and helps you find a job by matching your skills with skills local companies need.  
• RCM helps most people who file for unemployment benefits. The process begins the first week you file a claim. 

Visit our RCM frequently asked questions page to learn more about the program and if you qualify.

There are several other return-to-work programs that can help you find a job. Learn more about return-to-work programs. 

General Unemployment Customer Support  

• Phone: 1-866-239-0843   
• Email: uiclaimshelp@iwd.iowa.gov  
• Website: Unemployment Help | Iowa Workforce Development 
• Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:00am – 4:30 pm (except state holidays)
• Translation Services: If you need help in another language, call 1-866-239-0843 for free translation services.

For help with registering in iowaworks.gov, contact your local IowaWORKS Center. (Virtual appointments also available.) 

You can learn more about your work search requirements by: 

• Reading How Do I Complete My Weekly Work Search Activities?  
• Viewing the Return to Work Activities Video. 
• Reading about Work Search Requirements in the Unemployment Claimant Handbook.  
• Visiting the Unemployment Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Page.  
• Visiting the Reemployment Case Management Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Page.