Business & Tech
Job Openings In GA: There Are Plenty Of Employment Listings
Even as unemployment soars, many companies in the Atlanta region are still looking to hire.
GEORGIA — With record unemployment levels reaching new highs every week, but a good number of employers are searching for workers in Georgia.
The number of jobless Georgians has already blown past the worst year of the Great Recession, the state's labor force has lost 5 million workers and the recent data has shown increases in unemployment filings measured in the thousands of percent compared to last year.
On Thursday, the latest unemployment data didn't shake Georgia from its perch among the states with the most jobless benefits applications, but the update wasn't entirely without positives: For the week ending May 2, Georgia Department of Labor reported 228,352 new jobless claims, down 38,000 from the previous week — the first decrease in jobless claims since the start of the coronavirus outbreak.
Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The employment site Indeed.com has listed scores of jobs that have opened even as the virus continues and many businesses remain closed.
You can search here for job openings in our area.
Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
You'll note that some of the postings went up more than 30 days ago. But also notice that many of the jobs have been advertised within the past few days and weeks.
If you're a small business owner in the Atlanta area in search of employees and you're not on Indeed, you can post your job openings in the Patch classified section. Here are instructions.
How To Apply For Unemployment
The Georgia Department of Labor is temporarily suspending all in-person requirements for services. Residents are asked to conduct GDOL-related business online to protect everyone from potential exposure to COVID-19. Find instructions on the department's website.
Filing an Unemployment Claim Online
You will need your:
• Social Security Number
• Georgia Driver's License, if applicable
• Bank's routing number and your account number (if you want to receive your benefit payments via direct deposit)
• Work history information for the last 18 months
Follow these steps:
1. Select the link labeled Apply for Unemployment Benefits on the GDOL Home page.
2. Answer the questions completely.
3. Download and read the Claimant Handbook. Information in this handbook provides detailed instructions regarding the unemployment insurance program and "Next Steps" to follow after submitting your claim.
4. Record your Confirmation Number. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address provided when completing the claim application. (If you do not receive a confirmation number, the application was not successfully completed. It remains on the system for 24 hours. Log in again and make sure you select FINISH to receive a confirmation number.)
After you file, your next steps are to:
1. Request your weekly benefit payment every week, starting the first Sunday after filing your claim by selecting Claim Weekly UI Benefits Payments on the GDOL Home page or calling the Interactive Voice Response System at 1.866.598.4164
2. Monitor your voicemail and email closely for messages from the GDOL.
3. Respond immediately to all requests for additional information.
4. GDOL will contact you if it is necessary for you to complete an Applicant Status Affidavit (DOL-1054A). You will not have to go to a career center.
a. Download and complete the affidavit in its entirety.
b. Mail the affidavit and an enlarged, legible copy of your valid government-issued picture identification to the career center you selected on your claim. Select Find a Career Center or use the address indicated in the email request.
If you have claimed a week of benefits and have not received your written determination of eligibility, Claims Examiner's Determination within 21 days of the filed date, you may call UI Customer Service immediately at 404.232.3001 (in Metro Atlanta) or 1.877.709.8185 (in all other areas).
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