myjobcontacts › States › Vermont

How many job searches do you need for unemployment in Vermont?

What counts as a work search in Vermont

• Submitting a job application
• Submitting a resume for a professional trade
• Applying for an open position on an employer's website or through Vermont Job Link
• Applying for work that is available now
• Working part-time during the claim week can count as a work search contact

What doesn’t count

• Applying for the same job more than once within 5 weeks
• Telephone calls
• Surfing the internet or posting your resume on a job website
• Applying for jobs you are not qualified for or would not accept

Same employer twice? Applying for the same job more than once within a five-week period does not count.

More on this in what counts as a work search contact.

How to report your job contacts

When you file your weekly claim in e-Services, go to the Work Search screen and add a work search activity for each job you applied for. Also keep accurate records of your contacts, with copies of confirmation pages or emails for online applications. Phone filing is only for people whose work search is waived.

When: File after the week ends, between 12 a.m. Sunday and 11:59 p.m. Saturday. Your first weekly claim can be filed the first Sunday after you contact VDOL. If you miss it, you can still file until the next Saturday at 11:59 p.m.

Where: Unemployment Insurance Claimant e-Services.

When the search starts: Every week you file a weekly claim. Report each contact in the week you made it.

Keep a work search log

VDOL doesn’t have its own log form that we could find. Write down the date, employer, how you contacted them, the job, who you talked to and what happened.

The free myjobcontacts app keeps the same details. Prefer paper? Use the free printable work search log.

Who doesn’t have to search

• Your employer gives you a definite (not weather-dependent) return date to full-time work within 10 weeks of opening your claim and confirms it to VDOL in writing
• VDOL has otherwise excused you from the work search (check your notices)

See work search exemptions for how these work in other states.

Reviews, audits and RESEA

VDOL does random checks of job contacts. Claims are also picked at random each week for Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) audits, which review your work search contacts. Not taking part in a BAM audit can lead to a denial of benefits.

RESEA: You may be picked for RESEA. If so, it is required: an orientation, a one-on-one meeting with a RESEA facilitator, referrals and exercises, plus your weekly work search. Not taking part can lead to a denial or overpayment of benefits.

What to expect: unemployment work search audits.

If you miss your number

If you don't make your contacts as required, you will have to repay benefits paid for those weeks. Saying you looked for work when you did not is fraud; penalties include repaying benefits, penalty weeks, withheld tax refunds and possible criminal charges.

Sign up with the job bank

You must register with Vermont Job Link. Vermont Job Link.

Questions people in Vermont ask

How many job searches are required for unemployment in Vermont?

You must make and report at least 3 job contacts each week you file a weekly claim. You add each job you applied for to your weekly claim in e-Services. Phone calls and just posting your resume online do not count.

What counts as a work search in Vermont?

Submitting a job application; Submitting a resume for a professional trade; Applying for an open position on an employer's website or through Vermont Job Link; Applying for work that is available now, and 1 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 Vermont?

When you file your weekly claim in e-Services, go to the Work Search screen and add a work search activity for each job you applied for. Also keep accurate records of your contacts, with copies of confirmation pages or emails for online applications. Phone filing is only for people whose work search is waived.

What happens if I don’t do enough job searches in Vermont?

If you don't make your contacts as required, you will have to repay benefits paid for those weeks. Saying you looked for work when you did not is fraud; penalties include repaying benefits, penalty weeks, withheld tax refunds and possible criminal charges.

Who doesn’t have to look for work in Vermont?

Your employer gives you a definite (not weather-dependent) return date to full-time work within 10 weeks of opening your claim and confirms it to VDOL in writing. VDOL has otherwise excused you from the work search (check your notices). Your notice will say if this applies to you.

Does Vermont check or audit work search records?

VDOL does random checks of job contacts. Claims are also picked at random each week for Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) audits, which review your work search contacts. Not taking part in a BAM audit can lead to a denial of benefits.

Checked against VDOL’s own pages and rules on November 6, 2026. We could not confirm how long to keep your records, the official log form, who doesn’t have to search on an official page, so check your notice for those.

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.