So sorry you're going through this, MomHopes. I was downsized by AT&T in 2002, after 18 years with the company. For the entire18 years, all of my work experience and expertise was in telecommunications. To make matters worse, AT&T had their own software, so, outside of Microsoft Word, I had no idea what the outside world was doing as far as computer knowledge. And, I didn't think I HAD to know - I just thought I would retire from AT&T because I was thriving there and I was happy. BIG mistake.

I don't know why it is, but, especially after becoming unemployed after being long-termed employed, it can seem like your applications are going directly from 'submit' into a black hole for months and months on end. Of course, one of the big problems, in this poor jobs market, is the sheer number of applications companies receive.

One suggestion I have for your husband when he's applying for positions (if he's not doing this already), is not to send a generic application taylored to show HIS strengths and experience for every application he submits, but, rather, an application that shows the employer how your husband can benefit the employer. One excellent way to do this is to revise his resume to include as many keywords from the job ad as possible. I read somewhere where employers scan applications and resumes for these keywords, and any resumes not containing a set number of the keywords for the specific job ads are automatically disgarded.

One of my close family friends is a sales exec for HP. He's a really mentally sharp guy. His advice when job hunting is to view your job search as a pipeline. Your goal is to keep your pipeline full of job submissions as much as possible - even if it seems like your applications are going into a black hole. The goal (other than finding a new job) is to keep that pipeline full of submitted applications. He is also very big on networking. If your husband doesn't already belong to a career networking group that meets regularly, I would implore him to look into becoming involved in one. You never know what job tips can result from that; ie, maybe someone in the group may know if an inside job opportunity that, even though the person who knows about it may not be a good fit for, maybe someone like your husband IS a good fit.

The One Stop Career Centers hold great workshops related to job searchs, plus, they provide free career AND stress counseling.

I've been out of work for an agonizing 26 months (I'll be starting a new job on January 9th, working for a nearby school district) and I know the emotional toll being out of work for an extended period of time can have. Even though you can know it's not true, it can be easy to start to believe that you're not employable anymore, or that something is just otherwise "wrong" with you for not being able to find work. So, I would implore your husband (if he's not doing so already) to make it a goal, as soon as his eyes fly open every morning, to do everything he can to stay in a positive, hopeful frame of mind. NOTHING is worse than allowing yourself to sink into the "...I'm an unemployed loser..." abyss, only to receive an unexpected call about an interview, where you have to pull yourself back together to present well for the interview, only to not get the position and allow that to sink you right back into the "...I'm a loser..." abyss. Believe me, it's easier to just try to STAY positive, even though that doesn't work 100% of the time, because being long-term unemployed is very, very difficult on so many levels.

In the summer of 2010, I decided to start taking computer technology courses at my local community college, partly because I jwanted to be able to show a potential employer that I wasn't just collecting unemployment benefits and partly because I needed something to keep me from going completely crazy as I looked for work. Even though I continued to not be able to find a job, taking and getting "A's" in very challenging computer courses helped to buoy my self-esteem. As it turns out, even though the job ad for the position I just got with the school district didn't mention web design and HTML experience, it was having the training from these college courses that helped secure my getting the position. (The school district checked my transcripts). So, my suggestion for your husband in this area is to think of areas that interest him and perhaps consider taking some college courses. All of the courses I've taken (and will continue to take) are online, so they won't interfere with my going back to work.

I believe that we attract what we believe for and focus on in our lives. It's so important as we're looking for work to visualize ourselves as gainfully employed, even when we keep getting one rejection after another - or worse, no rejections at all. When you think about your husband, see him as having a great job that he is happy with. If you can get him to do the same, if he isn't already doing so, that's even better.

Wishing you and your husband all the best in the coming year! Remember that many of us know what you and your husband are going through. We're here for you.

Hugs,
Janice

Even if you're primarily in one industry, as I was, and your husband, there are skills sets that are transferable to other jobs & industries. Often these days the employers don't see that; they just want the ideal candidate in a certain area. I would say try for closely-related positions, in a different field as there are better chances of success. Randomly sending off resumes can make one feel overwhelmed & companies do have sheer volume nowadays as Love mentions. I ended up in a new field that utilizes my prior skills. Thankfully the company spotted that potential in me after I'd been off work 22 months!

Best wishes to both of you!