The weekly work search rule in New Mexico
At least 2 different work search contacts every week, unless the department exempts you.
Keep a detailed log of each contact: the date, the type of work, the employer or website, how you made contact and the contact information, and the result. NMDWS can ask for the log at any time during your benefit year.
File and certify on the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions site. The rules can change, so check NMDWS's work search page if a letter from them says something different.
| New Mexico rule | |
|---|---|
| Each week | At least 2 different work search contacts every week, unless the department exempts you. |
| How you report it | Keep a detailed log of each contact: the date, the type of work, the employer or website, how you made contact and the contact information, and the result. NMDWS can ask for the log at any time during your benefit year. |
| Enter each activity online | No, you keep your own record |
| Keep records | All work search activities must be verifiable and documented. Keep your records for up to 5 years. |
| Agency | New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions |
Source: New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (www.dws.nm.gov), checked 2026-10-20.
What counts as a work search activity in New Mexico
New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions lists these:
- Searching for jobs on jobs.dws.nm.gov and using the Virtual Recruiter tool
- Applying for a job you are reasonably qualified for
- Interviewing for a job
- Taking a skills assessment that is part of a job application
- Contacting an employer to ask if they are hiring
- Being referred to a job by a state job center
- Adding a resume to an online job board
- Mailing a job application or resume as a public job notice instructs
- Creating a reemployment plan with an America's Job Center New Mexico
- Documented use of online career tools
- Reemployment services at an America's Job Center New Mexico
- Job-related education or skills training
- Creating a profile on a professional networking website
- Job clubs, job fairs and employment-related workshops
Who does not have to search for work in New Mexico
The department's 2014 handbook says it may exempt you while you are in approved training, may waive the requirement for a temporary layoff of 4 weeks or less with a definite return date (you must send a letter from your employer), and may waive it for union members in good standing on a hiring hall out-of-work list.
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 New Mexico
If you want to train for a new job, WIOA can pay for approved training if you qualify. See how WIOA works in New Mexico.
Approved training is on NMDWS's list of exemptions above, so ask NMDWS before you start.