What's the longest you've been unemployed?

[VASith]

Well, unless you count paper routes, then it was more like 10 or 12.

Check my edit

 

[FLOSI]

Check my edit

It wasn't there when I quoted it.

Nothing more than a month since I've been in the "work force."

 

[devilof76]

I took 1996 off.

 

[VASith]

It wasn't there when I quoted it.

Nothing more than a month since I've been in the "work force."

Sorry. Delayed reaction.

 

[The Josh]

18 months. The market sucks and even while looking constantly you get told no a lot all that leads to a gap in your resume. Something else to think about is some companies won't hire you if they think after training your going to jump shop for the next better thing. I know part of that is what kept me from getting a few.

 

[FLOSI]

I mowed lawns every now and then. Doesn't count.

W-2 or go home.

I hated mowing lawns as a kid...

 

[Xenomorhpian]

I've never been employed ( except for paper routes, lawn mowing etc..) I beat all of you!

 

[devilof76]

I hated mowing lawns as a kid...

I liked it more than I like submitting W-2's, and yeah, I hated it too.

 

[Doctor Who]

Almost one year. Got out of school at 18, been looking since, and almost 19 now and have yet to get hired. Most jobs, including desk jobs, seem to turn their backs to me when they notice I have a herniated back. And also sadly, most seem to look at my age, not my qualities. "Unexperienced" they tell me. What, I did nothing in school that gives at least a little experience? Right now I do the children jobs to keep me from starving, like mowing lawns, cleaning cars, getting groceries for people etc.

 

[Wanderer]

Fair do's you wanted to chill for 3 months. It's not unreasonable and I'm sure if a prospective employer questioned that, they'd understand the reasons why - travelling etc.
I think I went unemployed for nearly a year in my teens not through want of trying but sometimes it feels like mission impossible.
You'll come good soon, even if you end up a prostitute

 

[VASith]

I hated mowing lawns as a kid...

I hate mowing the yard at 38. With the baby due next month, I'm hiring our local company to do it. Last thing I want to do after 4 hours of sleep is cut the lawn in a nice 100 degree Virginia summer.

 

[jimmie_dimmick]

18 hours. Heard rumors of a buyout for 6 months. Once we were bought we knew jobs were going oversees. I had been submitting applications since I heard the rumors. Went on an interview, nailed it, was offered the job one week before the company closed. Got my severance package and started my new job the very next day. Got really lucky. This was two years ago and still, people from my old company are out of work.

My only suggestion would be to start looking out of state. If the inevitable is to move out of the state you currently reside, other states may be an option (even if less desireable).

 

[Boba Ben]

I've been working at least part time since I turned 16. I was out of a job for two months at the beginning of 2009, but found something relatively quickly and started in March. I've been working there since then.

 

[VASith]

Fair do's you wanted to chill for 3 months. It's not unreasonable and I'm sure if a prospective employer questioned that, they'd understand the reasons why - travelling etc.
I think I went unemployed for nearly a year in my teens not through want of trying but sometimes it feels like mission impossible.
You'll come good soon, even if you end up a prostitute

No employer will understand 3 months being laid off...not when there are 45 other people applying for the same job. This isnt the 60s....sad but true. Companies are very careful with who they hire in today's world. Some guy who went to Bermuda for 3 months to find himself will lose the job to the double major/trip minor who volunteers at soup kitchen. Lazy is not a strong character point.

 

[jimmie_dimmick]

No employer will understand 3 months being laid off...not when there are 45 other people applying for the same job. This isnt the 60s....sad but true. Companies are very careful with who they hire in today's world. Some guy who went to Bermuda for 3 months to find himself will lose the job to the double major/trip minor who volunteers at soup kitchen. Lazy is not a strong character point.

They would understand if you were doing some training or education. Granted 3 months is a long time, perhaps if you were applying for jobs outside your skill-set or expertise, you can say that you tried to get back in to the industry you were in during that time period. You've now decided that it's just too competitive/jobs too scarce and hence the 90 day layoff...

Just my two cents for whatever it's worth.

 

[darthviper107]

I hate mowing the yard at 38. With the baby due next month, I'm hiring our local company to do it. Last thing I want to do after 4 hours of sleep is cut the lawn in a nice 100 degree Virginia summer.

I swear if I get a house I will pave over the grass, I don't give a crap about how the yard looks.

 

[King Darkness]

Ok, not to get too personal, but how did you pay bills, etc?

You don't want to know....you'd poke sharp things into you ears after hearing it. Suffice to say king can no longer rent farm animals in Columbia without a deposit.

LOL, omg....that's funny!

No it's not. Do you know how embarassing it is to have to present 3 forms of I.D.
and a 500 dollar cash deposit just to rent a donkey for an hour

 

[jimmie_dimmick]

No it's not. Do you know how embarassing it is to have to present 3 forms of I.D.
and a 500 dollar cash deposit just to rent a donkey for an hour

At least they don't require a kidney

 

[Matt S]

I hate mowing the yard at 38. With the baby due next month, I'm hiring our local company to do it. Last thing I want to do after 4 hours of sleep is cut the lawn in a nice 100 degree Virginia summer.

I hear you. That was my first alteration with bills: cutting my own grass, and living in Texas, its hot here too, but I love it. Don't have the responsibilities of being a parent, so that helps me But damn, those weed wackers are a pain to keep threaded right! Congrats on the child coming!

Decided to go exercise instead of having that margarita. Glad (not literally) to see others were/in same position I am now. Guess it helps knowing its not just 'you'

Almost one year. Got out of school at 18, been looking since, and almost 19 now and have yet to get hired. Most jobs, including desk jobs, seem to turn their backs to me when they notice I have a herniated back. And also sadly, most seem to look at my age, not my qualities. "Unexperienced" they tell me. What, I did nothing in school that gives at least a little experience? Right now I do the children jobs to keep me from starving, like mowing lawns, cleaning cars, getting groceries for people etc.

I was once there too - right out of school ended up working a security gig for a museum when I lived in Ca. It was a terribly boring job, but paid the bills. hang in there, it'll happen

No it's not. Do you know how embarassing it is to have to present 3 forms of I.D.
and a 500 dollar cash deposit just to rent a donkey for an hour

I bet you'd be a fun guy to share stories with at the local watering hole...LOL

No employer will understand 3 months being laid off...not when there are 45 other people applying for the same job. This isnt the 60s....sad but true. Companies are very careful with who they hire in today's world. Some guy who went to Bermuda for 3 months to find himself will lose the job to the double major/trip minor who volunteers at soup kitchen. Lazy is not a strong character point.

Tell me you are a recruiter for the Marines, man!!! Cause if you are typical of the current workforce mindset as I believe you are, am I screwed!!!!

 

[agen_kolar]

My last full-time contract ended in November. I took several months off, too, then picked up a freelance contract with a state college in Florida. I like it because I have freedom, but it doesn't pay as well. For now, it's fine. While I was on unemployment, I had to apply for 5 jobs a week in order to get the benefits. Out of dozens and dozens of jobs that I was perfectly qualified for, I only heard back from one that was interested - but they were not offering enough salary-wise. Oh well!

Best of luck finding a job, though! Things will look up.