Unemployed and Underemployed Menions

...make a job. (And that may or may not be in your chosen field.)

I was laid off from a job 13 years ago, and in 1990, the job market was rather tight - just before the big boom - kind of like it is today. I couldn't find a job that was suitable for me in my chosen industry, so I pulled out my tool boxes, threw them in my pickup truck, and went to the local office supply store and had some "contracting" business cards printed. I wasn't shy about handing them out, looking for anything from painting a room to building one. Before too long I had more work than I could handle, I could charge more than I initially did, and thus could schedule my time accordingly to continue looking for that "perfect" job in my preferred industry. I found one 1000 miles from where I was, and I had the time flexibility and the dollars to make the move. (In fact, I was so busy, and getting so many referrals, that I actually strongly considered continuing in the remodeling business.) I'm still in that "perfect" position, although it's a little less perfect than it initially was.

I think almost everyone has some sort of skill to fall back on, whether it be remodeling houses (as it was in my case), to bartending, to working on cars, to landscaping, to.....just name it.

The explanation necessary to "fill the employment gap" is the truth. And it doesn't necessarily have to show a gap, per se, but rather a time of extreme resourcefulness - a trait sought by any firm - especially if you managed to stay abreast of the technology trends as well.

Best of luck.

P.S. I still have all my tools and a pickup truck - just in case.

I don't know what kind of job you had or are looking for, but it seems that a lot of folks around here are from really big firms with IT departments that are bigger than many companies. If this fits you, and you can't find a job "in" an IT department, perhaps you could shift your focus to smaller companies as "the" IT department.

Some industries that use IT and often times could use some IT expertise include, but is not limited to, real estate and insurance offices, architects and engineers, automobile dealerships, grocery store chains, laywers, schools - both private and public, hotels, and on and on and on. You don't necessarily have to stay in the IT industry to have an IT job. And don't wait until they advertise for such a job. Cold calls can oftentimes produce the best results.

I can feel for you: I was once 68 months unemployed, which is why I now have no capital. A later period of unemployment results in my being heavily in debt. Fortunately I have no dependents. I wrote a note at about 60 months which some people may find helpful, and that note is in my book Albatross 0-595-19418-4. I am not recommending that you buy the book, although perhaps some kind friend will give you it, because I know something of what you feel: all projects on hold or cancelled. At least you have low-grade jobs now and again, and no-one offered me those during the first of these periods. The first job I was offered was after 65 months, and the direct employer was IT-MacS http://www.almac.co.uk/itmacs/, which turned out to be crooked, so the rest of you watch out, and has still not paid me for my week, despite a court judgement. By the mercy of God I got a real job, and a good one, 3 months later, which restored my spirits enough that I was able to weather the 18-month unemployment which came later.

I hope IT is not your only skill. I am currently making more by restoring antique auto interiors then from computer sales and service. If that goes dry there is auto and diesel mechanics, there may also a flurry of openings in portable power generation after the blackout, I think I'll pass on tree trimming, too old for that now. Look to your past, certainly you did something before IT.