myjobcontacts › States › Maine
How many job searches do you need for unemployment in Maine?
Short answer: You must do at least 1 work search activity each week. You enter it on your weekly certification in ReEmployME, and you must keep proof in case you are audited.
Each week
1 work search activity
The week
Sunday through Saturday
Request payment
File a weekly certification for each week after it ends on Saturday.
Official log form
Work Search Log
Keep records
Keep your work search log for 1 year from the date you receive benefits.
What counts as a work search in Maine
- Interviewing for a job you are reasonably qualified for
- Applying for a job you are reasonably qualified for and willing to take
- Contacting an employer about an opening you are interested in
- Going to a job fair hosted by a CareerCenter
- Taking part in CareerCenter reemployment services, in person or online
- Going to a CareerCenter workshop about finding a job
- Using a union hiring hall, if you are an active member of a qualifying union
What doesn’t count
- Browsing job listings online, in Maine JobLink, or in newspapers without sending an actual application
- Working part time during the week you are claiming
More on this in what counts as a work search contact.
How to report your job contacts
Each week, you enter your work search activity and employer contact on your weekly certification in ReEmployME. If you file by phone, you still have to log into ReEmployME (or call for help) to add your work search, or the week is not complete. Also keep your own written record and proof, like copies of applications or email confirmations.
When: File a weekly certification for each week after it ends on Saturday. You can file any day, but you must file within 14 days of the Saturday that ends the week.
Where: ReEmployME.
When the search starts: Starting with your first weekly certification. Maine says to file your weekly certification and give your work search each week right after you open or reopen a claim, even before you are approved.
Keep a work search log
Keep your work search log for 1 year from the date you receive benefits. MDOL’s form is the Work Search Log. It asks for: date of contact, employer name, verifiable contact (address, phone, website or email), contact person, position applied for.
The free myjobcontacts app keeps the same details and prints them in the same columns as MDOL’s form. Prefer paper? Use the free printable work search log.
Who doesn’t have to search
- You are on a temporary layoff with a definite date to go back to your employer. A waiver can cover up to 6 weeks, once per benefit year (the last 6 weeks before you return).
- You are starting a new full-time job within 2 weeks (or within 4 weeks if you can show written proof)
- You are in training approved by MDOL
- You are in a union and use your union hiring hall to find work
- You are taking part in required reemployment services that MDOL scheduled for you that week
Union members: If you are a member of a bona fide labor union (or can use a union hiring hall), keep in contact with the union, and use its placement services, Maine counts you as actively seeking work.
See work search exemptions for how these work in other states.
Reviews, audits and RESEA
MDOL does random work search audits to check the activities you reported. If you are picked, you must send proof by the date they give you. If you cannot show proof, you can be denied benefits for that week.
RESEA: MDOL may schedule you for required reemployment services. Maine rules say the work search is waived for any week you take part in these required services. Missing them can affect your benefits.
What to expect: unemployment work search audits.
If you miss your number
The first time you skip a work search, you get a reminder letter and are not denied for that week. After that, you can be denied benefits for any week without a work search. If you do not enter your work search within 14 days of the week you filed, benefits are denied for that week. If a week was already paid and later denied, you must pay it back.
Sign up with the job bank
You must have an active account on Maine JobLink. If you are not registered, do it right away online or at a CareerCenter. Maine JobLink.
Keep every job contact in one place
myjobcontacts is a free work search log. Pick your state and it shows how many contacts you still need this week, reminds you before you request payment, and prints a clean log if MDOL ever asks for it. No sign-up. Your list stays on your phone.
Start my free logQuestions people in Maine ask
How many job searches are required for unemployment in Maine?
You must do at least 1 work search activity each week. You enter it on your weekly certification in ReEmployME, and you must keep proof in case you are audited.
What counts as a work search in Maine?
Interviewing for a job you are reasonably qualified for; Applying for a job you are reasonably qualified for and willing to take; Contacting an employer about an opening you are interested in; Going to a job fair hosted by a CareerCenter, and 3 more on the list above. Check your notice for anything your state added for you.
Do I have to keep a work search log in Maine?
Each week, you enter your work search activity and employer contact on your weekly certification in ReEmployME. If you file by phone, you still have to log into ReEmployME (or call for help) to add your work search, or the week is not complete. Also keep your own written record and proof, like copies of applications or email confirmations. Keep your work search log for 1 year from the date you receive benefits.
What happens if I don’t do enough job searches in Maine?
The first time you skip a work search, you get a reminder letter and are not denied for that week. After that, you can be denied benefits for any week without a work search. If you do not enter your work search within 14 days of the week you filed, benefits are denied for that week. If a week was already paid and later denied, you must pay it back.
Who doesn’t have to look for work in Maine?
You are on a temporary layoff with a definite date to go back to your employer. A waiver can cover up to 6 weeks, once per benefit year (the last 6 weeks before you return).. You are starting a new full-time job within 2 weeks (or within 4 weeks if you can show written proof). You are in training approved by MDOL. Your notice will say if this applies to you.
Does Maine check or audit work search records?
MDOL does random work search audits to check the activities you reported. If you are picked, you must send proof by the date they give you. If you cannot show proof, you can be denied benefits for that week.
Checked against MDOL’s own pages and rules on November 6, 2026. We could not confirm the official log form, how RESEA works, who doesn’t have to search on an official page, so check your notice for those.
Sources
Work search rules in every state
myjobcontacts is not a government website and this is not legal advice. Rules change, and your own claim notice or letter is what counts. If something here doesn’t match what your state told you, follow your state.