How to get a job after long term unemployment - NYS Department of Labor resources?
I've been unemployed for about 14 months now and I'm really struggling to get back into the workforce. My UI benefits ran out 6 months ago and I've been doing odd jobs to survive. I feel like employers see the gap on my resume and immediately pass me over. Has anyone successfully gotten back to work after being unemployed this long? What NYS Department of Labor programs or resources helped you? I'm willing to take almost anything at this point but even retail places seem hesitant. Any advice would be really appreciated.
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Miguel Ortiz
The key is addressing that employment gap head-on in your cover letter and applications. NYS Department of Labor has career centers that offer resume workshops specifically for long-term unemployment situations. They can help you reframe that time period positively - emphasize any skills you developed, volunteer work, courses you took, or freelance projects. Also check if you qualify for retraining programs through WIOA funding.
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Ava Rodriguez
•I didn't know about the career centers having specific workshops for this. Do you know if they're free? I've been afraid to put anything about the gap in my cover letters because I thought it would make it worse.
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Zainab Khalil
Been there! What worked for me was temp agencies and contract work. It gets you back into a work routine and gives you recent references. Many temp positions turn permanent if you prove yourself. Also, consider roles that are slightly below your previous level - sometimes you need to rebuild your confidence and work history before moving back up.
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QuantumQuest
•This is solid advice. I took a temp job that paid way less than my old position but it led to a permanent offer after 3 months. Having that recent work experience made all the difference in other interviews.
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Connor Murphy
ugh i feel you on this. been trying to get back to work for 8 months myself and its so frustrating when you can tell they've already decided no before the interview even starts. some places wont even call you back. i started lying about when my last job ended because what else can you do
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Miguel Ortiz
•I understand the frustration but I'd be careful about misrepresenting dates on applications. Many employers do background checks that verify employment history. It's better to be honest and have a good explanation ready.
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Yara Haddad
If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor counselors about their retraining programs, I had success using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to them. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I was stuck in phone tree hell for weeks trying to get information about their vocational programs until I tried this. Finally got to speak with someone who explained all the options available.
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Ava Rodriguez
•Interesting, I've never heard of that. Did they charge you for it? I've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for weeks about their job training programs but can never get through.
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Yara Haddad
•There is a cost but it was worth it for me to actually get answers about what programs I qualified for. Better than wasting more weeks trying to get through on my own.
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Keisha Robinson
Have you tried networking events? I know it sounds cliche but sometimes who you know matters more than the gap on your resume. Check Meetup groups in your field or industry associations. Also LinkedIn can be helpful if you start engaging with posts and commenting thoughtfully on industry discussions.
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QuantumQuest
Don't give up! I was unemployed for 16 months and thought I'd never work again. What finally worked was being completely honest in interviews about what I learned during that time and how it made me more motivated. Some employers actually see long-term unemployment as making you less likely to job hop.
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Lucas Lindsey
I went through something similar after being laid off and struggled for over a year. What really helped me was the NYS Department of Labor's "Mature Worker Program" - they have specialized counselors who understand the challenges of long-term unemployment and age discrimination. They also connected me with employers who specifically value experienced workers. Don't overlook their apprenticeship programs either - some are open to career changers and provide paid training. The key is persistence and not taking rejections personally. You have value and experience that someone needs!
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