The weekly work search rule in Arizona
At least 4 work search contacts each week, done on at least 4 different days of the week.
When you file your weekly claim, enter each work search activity in the online portal (CACTUS). Keep your own records during the week in case DES asks for more information.
File and certify on the Arizona Department of Economic Security site. The rules can change, so check DES's work search page if a letter from them says something different.
| Arizona rule | |
|---|---|
| Each week | At least 4 work search contacts each week, done on at least 4 different days of the week. |
| How you report it | When you file your weekly claim, enter each work search activity in the online portal (CACTUS). Keep your own records during the week in case DES asks for more information. |
| Enter each activity online | Yes, each activity goes into the state system |
| Keep records | Keep records of each work search activity. DES can review them for up to two years after your claim begins. |
| Agency | Arizona Department of Economic Security |
Source: Arizona Department of Economic Security (des.az.gov), checked 2026-10-20.
What counts as a work search activity in Arizona
Arizona Department of Economic Security lists these:
- Applying for jobs, including with former employers
- Contacting or visiting employers that have or may have openings
- Answering job ads
- Job interviews, online or in person
- Registering with a union hiring hall, school or professional placement office, private employment agency or temp agency
- Applying for or taking a civil service exam
- Creating a reemployment plan
- Creating a resume or uploading it to online job boards
- Registering with Arizona Job Connection and looking for work there or on another job matching site
- Documented use of online career tools
- Reemployment services at an ARIZONA@WORK location, including RESEA and skills assessments
- Following up on job referrals from state workforce or UI staff
- Creating a profile on a professional networking site
- Job clubs, job fairs, industry association events and networking groups
Keep your work search log free
Write down each activity the day you do it: the date, the employer, how you contacted them, the job, and what happened. If the state asks to see your search, the log is your proof.
The free work search log in Capstone Careers keeps it for you: each application you send through Capstone Careers goes on it by itself, you add the ones you do elsewhere, and you can save the week as a PDF.
Need more applications to reach your number? See openings near you and get a resume written for each one.
Training while you are on unemployment in Arizona
If you want to train for a new job, WIOA can pay for approved training if you qualify. See how WIOA works in Arizona.