Learn How to Prepare for the Unemployment Insurance Interview
The Employment Development Department (EDD) will conduct an unemployment interview with the employer and an unemployment interview with the claimant after an unemployment claim is initially filed.
The purpose of this EDD interview is to verify the eligibility of a claim, particularly if you were fired through no fault of your own, or if you turned down an offer for available work. In , these interviews are conducted by phone. Being prepared for your unemployment phone interview can go a long way in helping your application gain approval.
Continue below to learn how to prepare for the unemployment insurance interview in CA, along with learning the types of questions asked during unemployment interviews.
Learn About Your Claimant Unemployment Interview
In preparation for the unemployment phone interview, the EDD will send you a letter with notice of the date and time. The EDD interview letter will also include a number of questions that you may be asked. You should have all the information prepared ahead of time.
Be available at the specified time and ready to take your call. Make sure you always keep good records of your employment each time you change jobs. Keep notes on any actions or conditions that led to your termination, and also details of any new job offers and reasons why you could not accept them.
Save any written warnings or notices you have from your last employer. Make notes of any action you take to try to keep your job. To further learn how to prepare for your unemployment interview, download our free guide.
What Will You Need for Your Claimant Unemployment Interview?
For the unemployment interview with claimants, you will need as much information as possible about your most recent job. This will be the main focus of the EDD interview, though the interviewer may ask you some questions about your previous jobs.
Make sure you have all this information written down before your EDD interview begins, so that you will not miss any important details. You will also need to state your exact income at the positions, including any bonuses you received.
Your EDD interviewer will also want to know the reason that you left your job. As your EDD interviewer will explain, usually you will qualify for unemployment insurance (UI) if you were laid off or terminated because your company was downsizing.
If you were fired or if you quit, there are still special circumstances where you may be eligible.
Usually, your claimant unemployment interview will take place shortly after you have learned how to file your first claim for UI. Your EDD interviewer will expect you to be looking for work as soon as you have submitted your application.
During your claimant unemployment interview, you may be asked to give details of the job searches you have already made. You should have all this information on hand, ready for the interview.
To learn more about how to pass the unemployment insurance interview, download our comprehensive guide.
What Questions Are Asked During the Unemployment Interview?
During your claimant unemployment interview, you will also be asked about your current availability for work. The EDD interviewer will ask you if you are actively looking for work and if there is any reason why you cannot work.
You must tell your claimant unemployment interviewer about your job searches and any job offers. You will also be asked about your skill set and qualifications so that the EDD can offer you employment that is suitable for you. Keep your answers as clear and concise as possible, and always be truthful.
What Questions Are Asked During an Unemployment Interview With an Employer?
The EDD will conduct a separate unemployment interview with employers, which will be used to confirm any claimant’s eligibility for UI. The EDD interviewer will call the employer or the employer’s representative, whoever is most familiar with the former employee’s separation from employment and any other UI eligibility issues which may be of concern.
The person talking to the EDD interviewer will also need to have the authority to release all the necessary information.
The EDD interviewer will ask the employer about the reasons the employee left his or her position, the dates of employment and the income earned.
If during the unemployment interview with the employer, information is given which conflicts with the claimaint’s information, there may be a second interview, or the claim for UI may be denied.
If the latter is the case, the claimant may learn how to appeal the unemployment denial, and request a fair hearing.
As an employer, you should always keep detailed records of all your employees. You should keep copies of any written warnings that are given out to employees, and conduct and record the details of exit interviews.
In addition, it is important for employers to have all the information readily available for the interview. All questions should be answered in detail and as truthfully as possible.
To learn more about the unemployment interview with the employer, download our comprehensive guide.
