So I recently got laid off from my job and have filed a UI claim. I'm currently being asked to verify my first 2 weeks of work search.

My situation is a little unusual, because the type of work I do is most often done as freelance gig work, and gigs are most often found via word of mouth. I sort of lucked into this full time employee position for the past year and a half, but there are very few of those types of positions available – few enough that I doubt I could find 1 full time opening in my area per week to apply to. So for the most part instead of trying to search for these mostly non-existent jobs, I've been putting myself out there as a freelancer: reaching out to my network to let them know I'm looking for work, building a new resume and portfolio, promoting myself through my online channels, etc.

I was previously unemployed during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. I remember once the work search work requirements were reinstated, there was a broad list of "work search activities" that qualified to certify that you've looked for work each week – things beyond just applying for a particular job. Is that still the case? And if so, how should I report those types of activities on my certification form?