7 Strategies to Get Employed
Long unoccupation is not only challenging for your financial stability and peace of mind, but also it reduces your chances of getting hired again. The research shows that after 6 months of joblessness your odds for getting an occupation decrease significantly.
Sure, it doesn't sound fair for great specialists who had lost their roles due to recession or company closeout. But why does it happen? In most cases, the employers vary that you've managed to keep your skills fresh and your mind sharp during long months away from the office.
Yet, it is possible to change the course of your search for occupation. If you've been sending out vitas and attending interviews with zero results for months, it's time to reconsider your mindset and strategy dramatically. Today's guide from a seasoned author bio will share the strategies for landing vaation quickly – even if it's been months.
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Things to do if you've been unemployed for months
If you've been struggling to get hired for months, it's time to reconsider your entire approach to search for occupation. If the conventional methods were not effective, consider out-of-box strategies for getting hired (we've previously written about some creative strategies here: https://resumeperk.com/blog/out-of-box-ways-to-find-a-job-by-cv-editing-services). You also need to tap into the resources you haven't used before. To get started, try these approaches:
#1 Explain the occupation gap
As mentioned above, most employers want specialists who keep their skills current. At the same time, if your bio says that you quit months ago and were not employed since then, it makes them subconsciously doubt your expertise. Whatever your reasons for joblessness are, let the hiring managers know what you've been busy with since you left your profession.
If you took courses or classes, were engaged in volunteering or did projects, describe these projects and what you've learned in detail. You can list these activities briefly on a vita, and then give a broader explanation in a cover letter. Show that despite your unoccupation you've kept your hand on the pulse of what is going on in the industry and your profession. It will show your proactive role, and the hiring person will be more receptive of long-term stagnation.
#2 Take a class or sign up for the course
During a stagnation period, it's important to keep your skills relevant so that you could compete with applicants who are now employed. For that, consider taking an online or offline class. Today's most successful pros never stop learning, so gaining new skills not only will give you something to discuss during an interview but also will help to advance your promotion. Moreover, keeping your brain busy will help you manage loss of motivation for growth.
Not sure which course to take in the first place? Look back at your activity experience to identify the occupation weaknesses that stopped you from promoting. Another good idea is to look up for specialists in your desired field via LinkedIn and see which skills they have and you don't. You also might want to present your technical competencies – they are always in demand.
#3 Find a part-time gig or go freelance
Inactivity might undermine your confidence and make you worry about your financial security. Consider finding a contract role, part-time role or a freelance gig. If you have a hard time finding a stable full-time occupation, such a side project will support you financially and help keep your skills current. Moreover, if you operate well, the person who hired you part-time might offer you a permanent role or recommend you to someone in their network.
Freelancing is another popular option for temporarily unemployed specialists. The clients who hire you don't care much about how long you've been unemployed. Their primary concern is the quality of work you offer. Moreover, you might love the flexibility that freelancing offers and decide to make freelancing your main source of income. To understand if freelancing is the right path for you, check out this article: https://resumeperk.com/blog/freelance-yes-or-no.
#4 Tailor your profile for each role posting
You've probably heard that the vita should be written with a specific profession opening in mind. Although this process is time-consuming, this is the only way to help it pass the ATS screening and get it in front of the hiring managers' eyes. You don't have to redo it completely every time, though. Highlighting the top required skills and modifying the summary and the most recent role description is often sufficient.
If you get suspiciously little interview calls, it makes sense to revise the entire profile. Make sure that you craft it with results of your employment and accomplishments in mind and don't simply list your daily duties. Check if you add the needed keywords and use the correct structure. Make sure that the document is easy on the eye. If revising your profile sounds too much difficult, you can get your creative portfolio here.
#5 Expand the geography and explore new industries
When the traditional methods of search for occupaiton bring little results, it's time to look for opportunities beyond your comfort zone. For example, how about expanding the geography of your search for occupation and moving to a new city or even state for a good opportunity? Moving to the area when lots of roles in your industry are concentrated can also bring you a better income and higher labor satisfaction.
Similarly, you might want to seek for similar roles in the industry you haven't been in before. For example, if you were employed as a journalist in a local newspaper, consider becoming a web article developer or joining a big company as a PR specialist. Such changes might need gaining some extra skills, but if you are determined to succeed, everything is manageable.
#6 Practice your confidence during interviews
Are you invited for interviews quite often but they don't lead to occupation offers? The reason might be in the subconscious message that you are sending during interviews or in interviews nerves anxiety. Aren't you putting the long-term inactivity issue in the center and over-explaining it? Do you get tense and anxious as the interviewer asks you tricky questions? If this sounds like you, it's time to practice your speech and self-presentation. Learn also some tips on how to list self-employment.
Your bio should be centered around your biggest accomplishments and strongest skills. And this is exactly how you need to sound during an interview. Don't be shy to show off how you've put the team together, increased profitability of a new product or attracted new customers. Consider your body language in front of the mirror to make sure you look confident and relaxed. When speaking about stagnation, focus on the things you were doing during this time and don't emphasize long search for work much.
#7 Contact the hiring managers and offer solutions
Applying for roles online makes you one of the many candidates. Your biography will be compared against the dozens, if not hundreds, of others. To immediately stand out, try reaching out to hiring managers directly. Don't simply send your vita and a cover letter, though. Research the company in advance to understand their business goals and challenges. And then create a letter explaining how you can contribute to achieving these goals.
Why is this tactic effective? First of all, it shows your willingness to contribute to the company's success and your orientation on delivering results. Secondly, it immediately distinguishes you from others – instead of asking to hire you, you focus on the value you can bring to the table. And finally, it's creative – very few applicants pitch the target employers in this way.
Use the above methods that appeal to you, and see what happens. A few months of unemployment might depress you, however, it's possible to land a great employment even after such a gap. All you need to do is to approach the process differently, try new solutions and stay positive.
A professional CV helps you find a position faster
As a rule, expertly done documents bring better results because the experienced authors know which traits to highlight to impress your target employers. If you feel that the current portfolio undersells you, get in touch with us. An expert author will present your career story in the best light, helping you land the dream occupation faster. Most importantly, it won't cost you a fortune – take a look at our prices for CV writing.
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Author: Editorial Team at ResumePerk.com
Reviewed by: Certified Career Expert
Last updated: November 2025
