I work for a maintenance company and Amazon is downsizing our contract. My boss (kindly) informed me it's only a matter of time before I'm laid off. I am in a union and I'll be speaking to my rep, but most likely I'll be collecting unemployment pay soon.
Which leads me to why I need advice. I know I'm supposed to apply to 3 places a week and to take the first offer I get. Obviously I don't want to be forced into the first shitty job that comes along. I want to use the free time I'll have to get my GED (high school diploma equivalent) and try to get the best job I can.
So for those of you who've collected unemployment before, how should I show that I'm “trying my hardest” in order to keep the checks coming while I work on getting an actually decent job?
Edit: I am in Washington State in case that is relevant