How to answer Employment Development Department interview questions

While you may have noticed the unemployment rate creeping back down, there are still millions of people who currently don’t have jobs. If you are among those who are unemployed right now, you may have concerns about how to answer questions during an interview with the Employment Development Department (EDD).

You may be asked questions about your employment experience and the circumstances regarding your unemployment. The EDD may interview you in person, during a hearing, or on the phone. Each state has different rules, so it’s important to remember that your experience may be different from the experience of somebody else.

Are you unsure what kinds of questions the EDD will ask you? These EDD interview questions and answers help you prepare for the meeting. While honest answers are always most important during the interview process, these questions will shed light on what you can expect from the process.

Why is information missing from your application?

One of the common reasons why the EDD asks somebody to attend a meeting is to clarify information. Some important information could be missing from your unemployment application, or you may have a complex situation that was too difficult to describe on the form. If the EDD needs you to provide details about this situation, they will ask you about this. For example, you may not have supplied information about why you were fired.

Why are you unemployed?

One of the most common questions a professional will ask during an EDD interview is regarding why you are unemployed. Generally, unemployment is available for people who are unemployed due to layoffs, eliminated positions, and employers that are going out of business. If you voluntarily quit your job or are fired due to misconduct in the workplace, you may not qualify.

If you want to answer this question effectively, be concise, but thorough. While you want to make it clear you didn’t do anything wrong, it’s also important that you don’t offer an opinion about the issue. At the same time, it’s important that you are accurate and honest because the EDD may reach out to your former employer to confirm this information.

When did you become unemployed?

One of the most important reasons the EDD wants to interview you is to ensure that you are eligible for the benefits you’ve applied for. This means that the EDD needs to make sure you’re applying for benefits for the proper amount of time. You’ll need to provide accurate dates related to the last day you were employed and how long you worked at your previous place of employment.

What were the conditions like at your last place of employment?

In some states, work conditions impact your unemployment eligibility. For example, if you were the victim of harassment or retaliation, you’ll be able to qualify for unemployment based on those conditions. It’s important not to exaggerate these claims, as the EDD will look for supporting documentation to ensure that the information is accurate. They may also speak with any witnesses you provide.

Why did you quit your job?

In some states, you may be eligible for unemployment if you quit your job due to intolerable work conditions, like harassment. Some states also allow family and health issues to qualify you for involuntary unemployment. If you quit your job in one of these states, you can discuss the issue that prompted your decision. You may then be asked to provide doctor’s notes or medical records.

Have you been looking for a new job?

In many situations, a requirement for seeking unemployment benefits is that you are currently looking for a new job. You may have to submit proof that you’ve been actively searching for work. The EDD counselor may ask you specific questions about the jobs you’ve been looking for and how often you’ve been submitting applications.

Have you refused work?

If you’ve been offered work, you may not be able to refuse and still be eligible for unemployment. If somebody offered you work, you may need to discuss why you declined it. For example, you may have refused the job because it was short-term or part-time. As a result, it may not have been a viable option.

“Not everybody has to undergo an EDD interview. These interviews typically center around eligibility concerns.”

Not all applicants require an EDD interview

If you’re worried about applying for unemployment benefits because you don’t want to go through an interview process, you may be worried for no reason. Not everybody has to undergo an EDD interview. These interviews typically center around eligibility concerns. Some interviews occur over the phone, whereas some require an in-person meeting.

Whether you are required to undergo an interview or not, you might be looking for ways to ensure that you are receiving all the job leads possible. You can sign up for email alerts to make sure you aren’t missing new job listings.

If you’ve been requested to attend a hearing or interview, it may not necessarily be a bad sign. It simply means that the EDD needs more information. It doesn’t mean your benefits are going to be denied. The clarification you offer can speed up the process.