Survivalist Pro
Photo by Vika Kirillova Pexels Logo Photo: Vika Kirillova

How long is too long without job?

There is a downside to being unemployed for 9 months or more, and that downside encompasses both low and medium-skilled positions. According to the study's results, once you've been unemployed for longer than 9 months, you can expect a significant drop-off in interview requests.

zipjob.com - Being Unemployed: How Long is Too Long? - ZipJob
Is the Wii obsolete now?
Is the Wii obsolete now?

The Wii was formally discontinued in October 2013, though Nintendo continued to produce and market the Wii Mini through 2017, and offered a subset...

Read More »
Last updated Jul 14, 2021
What is one thing a human can't live without?
What is one thing a human can't live without?

1. Food. Food is the basic source of energy and one of the most immediate requirements for day to day survival. The energy that food gives us is...

Read More »
Last updated Jun 4, 2019

Chances are someone has told you that it’s easier to find a job when you already have one. That kernel of wisdom has been bandied about for decades, and most people just accepted it without question. Recently, some evidence has seemed to support that belief, as a study was conducted to test those old assumptions. For anyone who’s ever worried about being unemployed for too long, that research offers some interesting insight. Whether you have an employment gap to raise children, take care of a sick family member, attend grad school, or take a career break, this post will tell you what you need to know!

How being unemployed impacts job search success

The new data points come as the result of a study conducted by two economists from Sweden: Dan-Olof Rooth and Stefan Eriksson: . The study was performed by sending out more than 8,000 resumes to apply for more than 3,500 open positions. Each of the resumes was a fake, and specifically tailored to list different types of employment status. The imaginary job candidates were either gainfully employed or had been unemployed for several months to more than a year.

Key Takeaway

The results? Let’s break it down by time period:

Being unemployed for 3 months: no big deal

While being unemployed for 3 months can sometimes seem like an eternity, the research suggests that many job seekers won’t experience any disadvantage from that status that will reflect poorly. This is apparently especially true for jobs that don’t require a great deal of specialized skills. The biggest surprise came from those low-skill job applications. Apparently, many employers viewed that brief stint of unemployment as a bonus, since those applicants were readily available for immediate work.

What's the outlook when you’ve been unemployed for 6 months?

Being unemployed for less than six months also didn’t seem to impact the job search much. And again, this was more apparent in low-skill jobs. However, that six month period probably pushes the envelope when it comes to maintaining your chances for an interview. The research results seemed to suggest diminishing odds of success after that first half-year of being unemployed.

How good are your odds of finding a job when you’ve been unemployed for 9 months?

Here’s where things get truly interesting. There is a downside to being unemployed for 9 months or more, and that downside encompasses both low and medium-skilled positions. According to the study’s results, once you’ve been unemployed for longer than 9 months, you can expect a significant drop-off in interview requests. The fake resumes sent out by the researchers suffered a 20 percent decline in responsiveness from potential employers.

Is there an armed officer on every flight?
Is there an armed officer on every flight?

There are not enough air marshals to cover every flight, so their assignments are kept secret. No one knows which passenger is the air marshal, or...

Read More »
Last updated Sep 6, 2018
What is the most fulfilling thing in life?
What is the most fulfilling thing in life?

That's right: Thanks to Harvard's Grant and Glueck studies — which tracked 724 participants from varying walks of life over the course of 75 years...

Read More »
Last updated Nov 6, 2021

However, high-skill jobs didn’t experience that same decline. Some believe that is due to the more complex hiring processes in place at those types of companies.

Being unemployed for more than a year

Unfortunately, there’s no way around this last fact: being unemployed for more than a year can raise a red flag and really put a damper on your job prospects. In fact, the research indicated that resumes with a current lengthy period of joblessness experienced little success at landing interviews. There is good news, though. Once you land that first job after being unemployed for a year or more, your future job search prospects improve dramatically--the gap doesn't continue to impact future hiring. Expert Tip read our expert's advice on job searching during the COVID-19 outbreak.

So how long is too long to be unemployed?

Based on the results of the research, the simple answer might be that there’s no such thing as being unemployed for too long. Yes, your odds of landing an interview do decrease as your period of unemployment drags on, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to land a job eventually.

Still, your best options are to:

Find a new job before you’re unemployed; or

Work diligently to land a new job during the first six months of your unemployment. Once you’ve gone past that six month period, you’re likely to see diminishing returns on your job search efforts--unless you’re in a high-skilled profession, of course. How to land a job in the first 6 months of your job search Since your chances of landing a job are best in your first 6 months, here are some tips to help you land a good job quickly. Expert Tip here are 7 things you can do to improve your resume in 45 minutes or less.

1. Update your resume right away

How do you outsmart a lion?
How do you outsmart a lion?

If you see stalking indications then raise your arms above your head and wave them and most importantly SHOUT YOUR HEAD OFF. If you have something...

Read More »
Last updated Nov 5, 2018
What are the 3 stages of CPR?
What are the 3 stages of CPR?

The three basic parts of CPR are easily remembered as "CAB": C for compressions, A for airway, and B for breathing. C is for compressions. Chest...

Read More »
Last updated Oct 4, 2018

Before you do anything else, it's time to brush off your resume and cover letter. Add your most recent experience as well as any skills or certifications you've acquired since you last opened your resume. You need to do this before you apply for any jobs or reach out to your network. Depending on how long it's been since you last used your resume, you may need to do a more comprehensive overhaul. Over 90% of companies scan your resume with application tracking system (ATS) software now, so it needs to have keywords and formatting with that in mind. Join more than 1 million people who have already received our complimentary resume review. In 48 hours, you will know how your resume compares. We’ll show you what’s working--and what you should fix. Get a Free ReviewUpgrade Resume 1110 Reviews on

2. Reach out to your network

Start putting the word out that you're looking for more opportunities. You can mention it to your family and friends, post it on your LinkedIn profile, and send direct messages to contacts in your industry (past co-workers or supervisors). Networking is the #1 tip on our related guide: 9 Tips to Find A Job In Less Than 30 Days .

3. Launch a strategic job search

Don't start applying to every job you see online. Take the time to read through job descriptions and tailor your resume for each submission. Do track the jobs you apply to. Follow up with the company after a few days, and again after a couple of weeks. Don't spend all your time applying to jobs online. You should also be growing your network, learning new skills, and practicing your interview skills. Do use a variety of job boards to locate new opportunities. Look for ones in your industry and location for better results!

Summary

It might be better to find a job while you have a job, but you're not out of luck if you’re caught unaware. You have six months until most employers really start to care about employment gaps. Follow this advice from ZipJob's team of career experts to quickly find a new job!

Related posts:

zipjob.com - Being Unemployed: How Long is Too Long? - ZipJob
What foods will trend in 2022?
What foods will trend in 2022?

Ingredient Food Trends in 2022 Sunflower Seeds. They're not just for baseball game snacking anymore! ... Hibiscus. Already popular as an herbal...

Read More »
Last updated Jan 20, 2022
What games dont exist?
What games dont exist?

10 Board Games That Totally Don't Exist (And How To Play Them) Cyvasse - A Song of Ice and Fire. Scrabbleship - The Simpsons. ... Crazy Chase - The...

Read More »
Last updated May 14, 2021
How do I get unlimited Wi-Fi at home?
How do I get unlimited Wi-Fi at home?

If you are looking for unlimited wifi plans for your home, then keep reading below to know more. JioFiber — ₹699 to ₹1499. ... Airtel Xstream Fiber...

Read More »
Last updated Mar 13, 2018
At what age do Amish girls marry?
At what age do Amish girls marry?

The Amish Community and Dating Dating among the Amish typically begins around age 16 with most Amish couples marrying between the ages of 20 and...

Read More »
Last updated Oct 6, 2018