Work Search Requirement Information

Acceptable Work Search Activities

Unemployment insurance benefits are not intended as a replacement for a job, but a temporary benefit to help workers until they can resume employment. Work search requirements mean that claimants must show an active effort to obtain new employment to continue benefits. As long as a claimant completes work searches, unemployment benefits will continue for as long as the claimant is eligible or until the end of the benefit program. However, if a claimant receives an offer of suitable work, they must accept the offer unless there is a good cause reason not to.  

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions has determined that acceptable work search activities include, but are not limited to:

• Searching for jobs on www.jobs.state.nm.us and using the Virtual Recruiter tool to receive alerts about new jobs that match your skills
• Applying for a job for which you are reasonably qualified.
• Interviewing for a job for which you are reasonably qualified.
• Taking a skills assessment required as part of the application process for a new job for which you are reasonably qualified.
• Contacting an employer, who you reasonably believe may have available suitable work, to inquire as to whether the employer is hiring.
• Being referred to a job by a state workforce center or other entity which provides similar services.
• Adding a resume to an online job board.
• Mailing a job application and/or a resume as instructed by a public job notice
• Creating a reemployment plan with a state workforce center or other entity which provides similar services.
• Engaging in documented use of online career tools.
• Participating in reemployment services at a state workforce center or other location where such similar services are provided.
• Participating in state-sponsored or other professional job-related education or skills development.
• Creating a user profile on a professional networking website.
• Participating in work-related networking events such as job clubs or job fairs, or employment-related workshops
• Taking advantage of reemployment services and resources available at your nearest New Mexico Workforce Connection Center with a Career Consultant. For more details, contact your local Workforce Connection Center. Reemployment resources include:

• Obtaining and using labor market information
• Participating in reemployment services designed for job seekers
• Participating in skill assessments for occupational matching
• Participating in instructional workshops, such as resume preparation and enhancement, job-search techniques, and interviewing skills

Please note that just calling a New Mexico Workforce Connection office without obtaining any services does not count as a work search.