Readers Respond: What Have You Been Doing Since Your Last Job?

Responses: 12

By Alison Doyle, About.com Guide

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What have you been doing since your last job? Read answers and share your response to this typical interview question. Share Your Answer

I spent my time tutoring my cousins... helping them accomplishing their homework and playing with them during leisure time.
—Guest joy

I'v volunteered at my local library as an ESL Tutor & helped my 1st student get a FT job when she was laid off. I'm a "keep busy" type of person, so have taken many certificate courses on Hunting/Firearms/Boating Safety, as well as becoming an active member of the Holbrook Sportsmens Club. Great networking through all my new contacts. Not able to currently afford my Criminal Justice classes at Massasoit, so have been doing the classwork at home using the Internet & Library network to read/research topics. Being outdoors is important for me, so have been building up my Dad's wood stockpile since this Spring. I research on craigslist where free wood is available,check it out,saw it/stack it at my Dad's house.It makes me appreciate those wood fires much more now & comes with an extra benefit of solid exercise.Keeping sharp helps me to focus on doing what is necessary/needed until I find employment again and it benefits not just myself but others as well. A win-win situation.
—Guest Michele

I have bee developing my skills through reading and research on new developments in the Human Resources profession.
—Guest Ruth

I spent my time getting certs. During my 8-month gap, I passed five IT certification exams. Helped me end my gap.
—Guest Don

percheing for the my compeny used all the meterials perched and vicet in sit for a works.
—Guest prakash

I have been unemployed for two-years now and I am still searching via internet, through local career centers, networking and calling or e-mailing companies for job listings that are posted in newspapers, libraries, etc.
—Guest Jo Alice

I've been out of work now 3 months. I research jobs daily including weekends on the internet, in the paper, word of mouth, through temp agency's and pounding the pavement. I have gone for an interview on July 4th which led to 2 more interviews and am still waiting on the results from my background check. The job will not pay 1/2 of my previous hourly wage but I cannot stand being out of work. I have been working for the past 44 years and doing nothing isnt my thing, I can only clean house top to bottom so many times!
—Guest Kathryn

I spent my time engaging with my peers in several professional organizations, volunteering, public speaking (in both training others in my professional skills and on unrelated subjects), and getting elected to the board of directors of a non-profit organization.
—dlairman

Helping neighbors & my aging mother by insulating her house & helping walk her dogs.
—Guest sl

I've been working for about a year now, but during my employment gap, I spent time learning some new software and becoming accredited to set myself apart from the pack. It helped me become a lot more competitive in the market once I was able to get an interview.
—Guest Jason Cadet

I've spent time volunteering at my local food pantry. I've met a lot of great people and I'm glad I've been able to give back.
—Guest Simon Perkins

Alison Doyle
Job Searching Guide