Out of Work? How Long Before it Negatively Affects Your Career?

I talk with people every day about their resume and their job hunting strategies. Many are concerned, rightfully so, about their prospects dimming because they've been out of work for 3 month, 6 months, some even up to 11 months.

As this economy continues to tank, I fear that figure will only grow longer. I have felt though, that in light of the sheer numbers of people affected, that hiring managers will be less inclined to automatically trash the resume of otherwise stellar performers solely because they've been unemployed for several months.

Finally, I have some recent research that backs this up.

In a survey released today from Robert Half Management Resources, 150 senior executives from the nation's largest 1,000 companys were asked, "How long, in months, can a top manager remain unemployed before it hurts his or her career?"

The mean response was nine months.

Paul McDonald, executive director of Robert Half Management Resources stated, "Most hiring managers recognize the economy has sidelined many outstanding people", adding that they're now acting accordingly in fact by using the economic downturn as an opportunity to add experienced players who would have been unavailable a year ago.

The survey directed its responses toward top managers, but I feel this attitude will be reflected in the lower job titles as well.

The bottom line, though, is to stay relevant and stay marketable by doing such activities as volunteer work, project work or taking classes, etc. You may be unemployed but you don't have to wither away during unemployment.

Joe