Networking and Taking Courses

The Department of Labor encourages the unemployed to do volunteer work while looking for a job.  They also suggest taking courses to update your skills and stay current to compete in the current market.   While being available to work, I have productively used my time volunteering and taking computer courses both in class and online.   Having lost my job over a year ago and attending job seminars, job fairs, outplacement classes, polishing my resume and cover letters,  applying to countless positions, absorbing and consuming any and all information I can get my hands on in an effort to land my next job has been a difficult, if not fruitless journey, to say the least.