How long is too long to be unemployed?

Chris Wodke

www.summittrainingpublications.com

The recession is easing, but few jobs are being created.  If you were laid off at the beginning of the recession you may still be out of work. Your job search may have stretched over many weeks or even years. In May 2009 there were 792,000 discouraged workers, meaning they had stopped looking for work because they felt there were no jobs for them. Fifty percent of those unemployed were out of work for 15 weeks and 28 percent or 3.9 million were unemployed for 27 weeks.

The longer you are out of work the tougher it may be to get an interview or find work.  The HR screener or hiring manager may wonder why you have been out so long. They may be concerned you will be an unmotivated employee, lack organizational skills or that your job skills have declined.

While it can be hard to be in an extended job search there are some things you need to do.

• Prepare
  Be prepared to discuss what you have been doing during your unemployment.  If you are going back to school to help with a career transition, make sure you state that in your cover letter. If you started a business or have been doing consulting, clearly list this work in your experience section.  This narrows the time you have been unemployed and shows you have kept up your skills. Did you do volunteer work? Be prepared to talk about the skills you used or the skills you learned that you will apply to your new position.
  
  
• Network
  Actively seek employment through your network.  Tell friends, family and casual acquaintances you are looking.  If someone tells you about a job, ask them to take your resume to the hiring manager and put in a good word for you.
  
  
• Shake Things up
  If you have been just looking in the newspaper, try some on line searches.  Try going to local network events, contact a recruiter.  Do something different to keep your job search moving forward. 
  
  
• Resume
  Have a fresh set of eyes look at your resume.  Many of the networking groups will do this for free. If you have not been able to get work in your old industry, have someone take a look at your skills and experience listed on your resume and offers some advice about how to transition those skills to another job.
  
  
• Interview Skills
  Do a practice interview with someone you trust. Video tape it if possible and play it back.  Get feedback on ways you can improve your interview style.  In this market you may not get many chances to interview and you have to be on your game when you do have an interview.
  
  
• Attitude
  Keep an upbeat positive attitude. Being desperate for any job is a turn off for employers.  Be upbeat and confident.  Shed any negativity from your unemployment or job search.  Do take a break from job searching to do something fun or full filling. This keeps the job hunt in perspective and can help you to remain positive.

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