The weekly work search rule in Wisconsin
At least 4 work search actions each week, unless DWD waives your work search. Extra actions in one week do not carry over to other weeks.
Enter each work search action on the Weekly Work Search Entry Form in your Claimant Portal during the week, or enter them when you file your weekly claim. If you file by phone, have your actions ready to give.
File and certify on the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development site. The rules can change, so check DWD's work search page if a letter from them says something different.
| Wisconsin rule | |
|---|---|
| Each week | At least 4 work search actions each week, unless DWD waives your work search. Extra actions in one week do not carry over to other weeks. |
| How you report it | Enter each work search action on the Weekly Work Search Entry Form in your Claimant Portal during the week, or enter them when you file your weekly claim. If you file by phone, have your actions ready to give. |
| Enter each activity online | Yes, each activity goes into the state system |
| Keep records | Keep proof of your work search actions for one year. DWD does work search audits. |
| Agency | Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development |
Source: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (dwd.wisconsin.gov), checked 2026-10-20.
What counts as a work search activity in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development lists these:
- Required Job Center of Wisconsin registration or required re-employment services
- Sending a resume or application to an employer that has openings or is taking applications
- Applying for a civil service (government) job
- Optional Job Center of Wisconsin re-employment services
- Registering with a placement facility, staffing agency or recruiter for the first time
- Posting a resume on a job website for the first time
- Meeting with a career counselor
- A job interview
- A professional networking group or event
- Creating a profile on a professional networking site such as LinkedIn
- Using mySkills myFuture
Who does not have to search for work in Wisconsin
DWD may waive the work search if you expect to return to your employer within 8 weeks (up to 12 with employer verification), you will start a new job within 4 weeks and the employer verified it, you get work through a DWD-approved union referral list, you were summoned for jury duty, you are in department-approved training, you worked 32 or more hours that week, or you worked for an employer on more than a temporary basis. If you report you are still working for your employer and report weekly wages, you do not need to search.
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 Wisconsin
If you want to train for a new job, WIOA can pay for approved training if you qualify. See how WIOA works in Wisconsin.
Approved training is on DWD's list of exemptions above, so ask DWD before you start.