How long was it the last time you were unemployed?

I left having a full time job when we had our oldest child 14 years ago. I sell Avon now and make and sell crafts but do not have a traditional job so to say. Any job I could get wouldn't pay the cost of childcare and travel at this point not to mention I home school my kids. It isn't easy to live as a family of 6 off of one income and even harder when hubby was out of work. He left a job (the state came in and told him to leave while they took the boss to court on his part) he was out for 5 months, during this time he started back to school, he had gotten a job but after about 9 months the economy took that job, the business went under. He then had short term gigs, (he's an electrician so when each job site ended he had to find another) until he graduated. He was out of a steady job for almost three years! We made it through, even after a natural disaster during all this. I think it is a mind frame. One can give up and flounder or one can fight back and live through it all.

It's been 11 months since I resigned from my previous work in a 5 star hotel. I need to find another one

I have been unemployed since the Spring of 1989. For the first five years I was married to my new wife so that helped. I never got any unemployment. But I am a saver and when I was working, I saved at least 20% of my income and invested it. Not only have I gotten by on the income from my investments but I have continued to save at least 20%. I bought a house in 1995 which is the only thing I owe money on. I have always paid for everything in full that I bought except the house. I have never had any credit card debt or owed money on a car. One just needs to live frugally and save in the good times and then they can get by or better in the rough times.

The last real online job I had was in May 2011. But I am just glad that since then i am able to find ways to earn even if it isn't that much. I started an online business which somehow I get a few pesos. It is not that much really, but at least I am still able to buy what I want. And of course, my online activities are also a big help. Why not encourage your friend to work online for the meantime? I am sure that she can somehow earn a few dollars in a month. Atleast, she'll have something, right?

6 months now. I am currently looking for work though. I used my savings from my last job to help myself get around and find food to eat.

Hi chiyosan! When my children are much younger, I really not intend to work because I wanted to take care of them personally. But even at home, I tried my best to have an income of my own so I decided to put up a small store which I was able to manage well. However, I need to move to another place so I had to close the store. I was able to find a job after that. Have a great day!

I was not working for nearly eight (8) years. But I did not let the time passed by just like that. I make full use of it by God's blessings. In 2006, I won 2 Hong Kong trip and represent Malaysia to compete with 7 Asia countries for treasure hunt. In 2007 I won 6 overseas trips and bring my family to travel to different continents. In 2008 i won one overseas trip and other local weekend vacations. During the period i also joined in many contest to win cash, meal vouchers and hotel stays. I also participate in surveys and local focus group to earn some money for my family. We have to think out of the box, at time we should imagine that there are no box and be creative. I really thank God for all these and I am happy to be able to spend quality time with my family. It was really worth it. Now I am back to work to support my family.

I've been blessed to always have a job. Eventhough I moved around so much, I have managed to always have a job secured before I left the previous one. My family's livelihood depend on me keeping a job so I try my very best to always be employed.

There's an old saying that when there's something that you really want done, there's lots of ways to do it. But if you don't really want it, you'll never run out of excuses for not doing so. Honestly, the longest time that I was off work is 7 months and that is during the time that I just finished my review and I am at the crossroad, on whether to take the board exam or not and just look for a job. I am a bit proud in a sense that I cannot accept the fact that I am totally dependent to my parents for everything.