New Rules Help Unemployment Claimants Find Work

COLUMBUS, OHIO – To better assist Ohioans who are unemployed, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) now automatically registers unemployment compensation claimants for a free account with OhioMeansJobs.com and posts a basic resume on the website. In addition, claimants now are required to complete several job-search tasks online or in person at their county OhioMeansJobs Center.

Better connecting out-of-work Ohioans with OhioMeansJobs.com will expedite the job-search process for many individuals. Claimants who do not complete each task by the required date will not receive unemployment compensation until the task has been completed.

“The longer individuals are unemployed, the harder it becomes for them to find work,” said ODJFS Director Cynthia C. Dungey. “Therefore, it’s important that Ohio provide immediate job-search assistance to out-of-work Ohioans. I encourage anyone looking for a job in Ohio to log on to OhioMeansJobs.com as soon as possible, especially unemployment compensation claimants who want to avoid a disruption in benefits.”

After applying for unemployment compensation, claimants have eight weeks to create or upload a new resume at OhioMeansJobs.com and make the resume public, so potential employers can find it. By week 14, claimants must complete three “Core Assessment” tests for math, reading and locating information to help identify careers that match their skills. By week 20, they must complete a “Career Profile” questionnaire to determine the types of work that best suit them.

The recently expanded OhioMeansJobs.com now is a full-fledged career center that features career exploration services for students, job-search and job-training information for adults, and a Business Support Center for employers looking to hire. Ohioans can post their resumes, search tens of thousands of job openings, learn about training programs and live-chat with career counselors, among many other things. The website is free for all Ohioans.

Shortly after first filing for unemployment benefits, each claimant receives an instruction sheet with specific deadlines for the new requirements. Some claimants are exempt from the new requirements or will need to contact their local OhioMeansJobs Center to schedule an in-person appointment. To learn more about these special circumstances, go to www.unemployment.ohio.gov.

For more information, visit www.ohiomeansjobs.com and click on the “Unemployment Compensation Claimants” icon