Long-term unemployment, defined as six months or more, is a challenge I experienced firsthand over a decade ago. To support those navigating the current job market, I am sharing practical tips and resources.
To make this guidance actionable, I have compiled an alphabetical list of job search strategies, tips, and resources below that may help someone who has been in long-term unemployment.
Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
- Due to the variety of ATS systems, use a simply formatted, tailored resume for each online application. Avoid using images and excessive design elements so that your resume remains easily readable by any system.
Career Assessments
- If your direction is uncertain, career assessments can help you explore options. Free and low-cost assessments such as ONetOnline’s Interest Profiler, 16 Personalities Personality Test, and OrgInsights are available.
Commenting on LinkedIn
- Consistent and purposeful LinkedIn activity builds visibility, discoverability, and credibility. Key Takeaway: Regular LinkedIn engagement increases your professional visibility, so stand out if you are in long-term unemployment.
Curmudgeon
- A positive outlook is more effective than a negative one. Strive to be someone others want to connect with, especially at networking events. An optimistic attitude helps create positive first impressions so don’t be a curmudgeon if you are experiencing long-term unemployment.
Elevator Pitch
- Prepare multiple elevator pitches for different purposes, as one may not fit all situations. The following frameworks can assist you. Key Takeaway: Tailor your pitch to each audience for best results.
Employee Referral Bonus
- Leverage LinkedIn to connect with employees at your target companies. This can support networking and potential referrals, which may benefit both you and the employees who refer you, and your referrer may get a bonus.
Gaps
- Be honest about employment gaps—do not fabricate dates. Frame transitions neutrally, for example: “role eliminated during restructuring.” Use a cover letter to briefly explain the gap, focusing on continued learning, volunteering, or personal projects to show engagement.
- If you were fired or laid off, avoid speaking negatively about your previous employer. Offer a concise explanation, noting it was not the right cultural fit for you.
- Consider using the term sabbatical and emphasize activities during your break that demonstrate continued relevance, such as ongoing learning or projects. This supports a positive narrative when discussing your gap.
- It is advisable not to use the Career Break feature on LinkedIn for your most recent employment gap, as it may affect your discoverability. Consider watching Melanie Woods’s YouTube explanation for more details.
Google Alerts
- Set up a Google Alert for job title, keywords, locations, etc.
Interview Prep
- Practice your interview skills using online video recording platforms, including AI, and gain wisdom from a former recruiter by watching video tips. Key Takeaway: Practice and preparation improve interview outcomes.
- Prepare a positive explanation for employment gaps—emphasize learning, reflection, volunteer, or training experiences. Develop seven to ten STAR stories through thorough practice. Key Takeaway: Be ready with clear explanations and strong examples, especially if you are in long-term unemployment.
- Optimize your LinkedIn profile with relevant keywords and accurate positioning. If you need assistance, consider attending regularly scheduled online workshops to gain more knowledge.
Mindset
- Allow yourself time to process any feelings of loss or disappointment. Job loss can feel deeply personal, and acknowledging that helps with emotional recovery. Key Takeaway: Emotional self-awareness aids resilience during your job search.
Networking
- Consistency matters in networking; dedicate 20-30 hours each week to specific job search and networking actions to show commitment while preventing burnout. Key Takeaway: Consistent effort is essential for networking success, especially if you are experiencing long-term unemployment.
- Join job clubs and meetup groups that offer learning opportunities and networking. Key Takeaway: Groups expand your network and knowledge during your search.
- Engage with your network proactively by reaching out to former colleagues, volunteer contacts, alumni, friends, and family. Traditional networking often uncovers unadvertised roles within the hidden job market.
- Schedule informational interviews, attend industry events, and create an accountability game for yourself, such as the number of contacts per day, number of jobs applied to, LinkedIn messages/day, etc. Key Takeaway: Taking proactive, measurable actions enhances job search effectiveness.
Relaunch & Return‑to‑Work Programs
A growing number of companies and organizations offer structured returnships or relaunch initiatives for those in long-term unemployment, and these typically last 12-16 weeks, are paid, and are accompanied by mentorship and training. Here are some resources for further research.
Portfolio
- Create a portfolio to showcase your talent and skills. Key Takeaway: A strong portfolio provides visible proof of your abilities to employers.
Recruiter
- Build relationships with recruiters and attend the monthly LinkedIn Live Recruiter on Call with Jobs. Recordings of past events are available on our YouTube channel to support your learning about working with recruiters.
Resume
- A current resume positioned for your future career goals is essential. If you haven’t updated your resume in years, note that formatting trends have likely changed.
- Include quantifiable accomplishments in every bullet point to demonstrate how you helped a company make or save money or time. Use dollars, numbers, and percentages. Key Takeaway: Use metrics to show impact and value.
Here’s the prompt I use and teach this in many of my workshops:
I am going to provide you with one bullet point from a resume. Please rewrite it to include a metric that can be expressed as a number, percentage, or dollar amount. Put an x for a number placeholder rather than typing a number. Bold the number, but no other words. Do you understand?
Seek Help
- Alumni Career Services from your institution may be available to you.
- Career Coaches can help speed the process with career documents, career paths, interview prep, salary negotiation coaching, and more. Key Takeaway: Career coaches accelerate and support your job search and may help to minimize long-term unemployment.
Self‑Care
- Structure your self-care with physical activity, routine sleep and meals, and a daily purpose to support your well-being during the job search. Key Takeaway: Prioritize well-being to stay resilient.
Subject Matter Expert
- Share your knowledge and expertise by speaking or writing posts, blogs, articles, or newsletters. Key Takeaway: Sharing knowledge builds your credibility as a subject matter expert.
Target Company List
- Every job seeker should have a target company list of who they would like to work for, and they should track their job search activities. Key Takeaway: A target list focuses your search and progress tracking.
- Visit your library databases to look up Standard Industry Classification (SIC) or North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) numbers by using Reference Solutions (Data Axle) to find companies.
Temporary Roles
- Part-time, temp, or contract jobs can provide income, recent experience, and help offset resume gaps. Key Takeaway: Short-term roles maintain momentum and bridge employment gaps.
Upskilling or Reskilling
- Free or low-cost training programs may be available at state unemployment offices, online, in libraries, and through job seeker groups, among other locations. Key Takeaway: Upskilling keeps your skills relevant and your career moving forward.
Value Proposition Letter
- Be proactive by sending out Value Proposition Letters to your target company list, rather than being reactive and waiting to apply for a job. Snail mail (envelope and stamp) may set you apart. Key Takeaway: Proactive outreach can differentiate you and uncover hidden opportunities. Be proactive if you are in long-term unemployment and don’t wait to only be responsive to job postings.
Volunteering
- Strategically use volunteering to bridge employment gaps, document new experiences on LinkedIn, and discuss skill growth and engagement in interviews. Key Takeaway: Volunteering fills gaps and signals continuous growth.
- Want to volunteer for our 501(c)3 nonprofit? We have open Board positions and volunteer roles. Please reach out to director@greatcareersphl.org, and we can discuss further.
Final Thoughts
Persisting through long‑term unemployment takes both strategy and resilience. Key Takeaway: Combining strategy and resilience helps overcome unemployment challenges.
Emphasizing your soft skills, hard skills, adaptability, and willingness to learn will help preserve confidence and attract employers who are focused on your future contributions rather than past gaps.
Tap into community, public, and corporate programs: many employers are actively seeking returners today, and you are positioning yourself for that opportunity when you stay engaged, visible, and ready.
Staying positive is hard when facing long-term unemployment, but each no is one step closer to a yes!
NEXT STEPS
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BIO
Lynne M. Williams is the Executive Director of the Great Careers Network, a volunteer-run 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides career development and networking connections for 1) job seekers in career transition, including veterans, and 2) employed and self-employed for career management.
Aside from writing keyword-focused content for ATS resumes and LinkedIn profiles, Lynne is writing her doctoral dissertation on LinkedIn for Job Seekers. She is a contributing author on “Applying to Positions” in Find Your Fit: A Practical Guide to Landing the Job You Love, along with the late Dick Bolles, the author of What Color is Your Parachute?, and is also a speaker on career topics.
