Have you ever had the unfortunate luck to be out of work, a.k.a. unemployed? That seems like such a difficult word to say doesn't it? I have been there but fortunately for me, I knew it was coming so I was able to prepare. Others are not quite as lucky when they find themselves no longer in the daily grind of working life. How do they get back on track? How much time do they spend in an effort to look for a job? It may be really difficult for some who have worked with the same company for a long period of time. 

I think the first thing these people have to do is to stay positive and keep looking. Sure, it may be a good time for you to take a much needed break but don't let that break turn into a career itself. I have seen people just stay in that situation for way too long and the problem is that it starts to affect their self-esteem and then things just don't get any better.

The first issue of course is that the average person does not actually have the recommeded 3+ months worth of money in the bank to cover unforeseen situations such as this. The next issue is that although the government does provide some assistance, it is not meant to support you for the long haul. It is a temporary assistance program designed to help get you through a difficult time but not meant to be a permanent crutch. Finally, that money is very little. I don't know many people who can live off of the amount of money that is given to the unemployed. It may be better than nothing but it won't be enough for you to do much more than pay for essentials.

So what do the unemployed do? Get moving is the first thing. You have to be aggressive and positive. Try not to let it get you down. In the event that you are unemployed for longer than you are financially prepared for, try to get some emotional support and do some networking. If you don't keep yourself busy you may find yourself heading towards depression.  I would imagine that the psychological factors of being unemployed for a significant length of time would impact one’s psyche in a hugely negative way.

The government offers help to begin with but remember that unemployment benefits are limited. Besides the monetary assistance from the government, these people have access to helpful organizations such as One-Stop Career Centers. These organizations help unemployed workers tap into the local market for job openings that might fit their skills but they also offer job training and job search preparation and assistance as well. The U.S. Department of Labor has an extensive web site with resources for job hunting, career guides, and training. www.CareerOneStop.com is another resource sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor that may help by provided links to a host of national web sites. I also found a site that seems to have extensive information on all things related to job hunting. www.JobHuntersBible.com has a lot of information including advice, schedule workshops, research, resource contact information, and information on resume building.

Use recruiters! Recruiters are there to help you find a job. They do not cost the employee any money because they are compensated by the employer looking for the employee. When you work with a recruiter you should remember that you are not interviewing with a potential employer but with someone who is going to represent you to a potential employer. They need to know what you are looking for in great detail. Do not hold back. If you are looking for a job at $60k a year tell them. They don't want to waste their time any more than you want to waste yours so the more honest information you give them, the more they can work for you.

Sign up at the job sites like www.careerbuilder.com and www.monster.com. Again, these are tools that will help you get a job faster and with less effort. Many of the recruiters will find your name and resume from these online sites. Initially it does take some time to get set up and you'll have to maintain the accuracy of your resume but you have to do that anyway. You can also do searches on these sites for jobs that you feel fit your requirements. Often you can submit your resume directly from the site.

If you are a friend or family member rather than the unemployed person, it is important to be supportive and refrain from being condescending or negative. At the same time, do not become an enabler or you may find yourself contributing to the individual’s difficult time. Give them some help and support initially but beyond that don’t make it so comfortable that they put no effort in. I’ve seen this happen to friends and the end result was never good. Not only could it result in the unemployed becoming a long term unemployed but I’ve also seen it do irreversible damage to the relationships involved.