70 Resources for Navigating Long-Term Unemployment and Finding Your Next Job

People facing long-term unemployment have complex needs, including securing unemployment benefits, finding a job and working with social workers to navigate the uncertainty of the labor market. OnlineMSWPrograms.com has compiled a list of resources to help workers of various ages and skill levels who are seeking employment. 

In This Article:

• Unemployment Benefits and Assistance
• Creating a Resume and Cover Letter
• Job Applications and Interviews
• Networking and Building Connections
• Professional Development and Learning
• Where to Look for Job Opportunities
• Pre-Retirement Unemployment
• Finding a Social Worker or Career Counselor
• Mental and Emotional Wellness

Unemployment benefits, USA.gov: A federal hub explaining unemployment insurance basics and directing you to file through your state unemployment office. 

How Do I File for Unemployment Insurance?, USDOL: Explains where and how to file (typically with the state where you worked) and common filing methods.

United Way 211 (Essential Needs): A free, confidential 24/7 helpline and online directory connecting people to local resources (food, housing, bills, health care, etc.) across the U.S. and parts of Canada.

Government Benefit Finder, USA.gov: Use the Benefit Finder tool (questionnaire) or browse by category to identify government benefits you may be eligible for and learn how to apply. 

How to Apply for Unemployment Benefits in Every State, AARP: An alphabetical list of the application portal and phone number for each state’s unemployment office.

Termination, USDOL: Resources that explain your rights and benefits if your job is terminated, including unemployment insurance, severance and veterans’ re-employment rights.

USA.gov Contact Center, USA.gov: The contact center for speaking with a live federal agent about benefits, services and programs based on an individual’s needs.

COBRA Continuation Coverage, USDOL: Resources for workers, families and employers that explain options for continuing health care coverage after the loss of a job.

Self-Employment Assistance, USDOL: An explanation of the self-employment assistance program, including eligibility, benefits and filing a claim.

Guide to Unemployment and Taxes, TurboTax: A guide for reporting unemployment benefits as taxable income, including required forms and examples of properly completed tax reports.

Welfare benefits (TANF), USA.gov: A federal guide to TANF/welfare that explains eligibility basics and directs you to apply through your state’s TANF agency.

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Resumes (and Resume Guide), CareerOneStop : Resume tips plus a downloadable Resume Guide with step-by-step guidance, formatting tips, and examples. 

Writing a Resume, LinkedIn Learning: A course covering resume fundamentals like layout, formatting, and how to present strengths clearly.

Resumes, UC Berkeley Career Engagement:  Guidance on what to include in a resume, how resumes differ from CVs, and how to use resumes in different job-search contexts.

Writing Your Federal Resume, GoGovernment.org: Tips to create a resume to apply for a federal government job.

Tips for Writing a Federal Resume (PDF), IRS Careers (U.S. Department of the Treasury): A 2025 federal resume handout that includes an example resume and outlines what federal resumes must include (dates, hours/week, series/grade, etc.). 

Top 8 Effective Tips for How to Make Your Resume Stand Out, Indeed: A step-by-step list of strategies to help your resume stand out to hiring teams, including tailoring, summaries/objectives, and proofreading.

Cover Letter Tips: Guide to Writing a Great Cover Letter, Indeed: A practical, step-by-step guide to writing a strong cover letter, including why it matters, what to include, and tips for tailoring it to a role.

14 Resume Strategies for Recent Graduates, The Job Network: A list of 14 tips for college graduates creating new resumes, including a strong sample resume.

Resumes and Cover Letters, Indeed: Resources related to resumes and cover letters.

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Preparing to Interview, Career One Stop: A list of considerations and strategies for preparing for a job interview.

Application Overview, Purdue OWL: Explains what job applications are, what information they ask for, and how to address employment gaps or incarceration.

Interviewing, Indeed: A list of interviewing resources curated by Indeed’s Career Guide.

50 Most Common Interview Questions, Glassdoor: A current list of common interview questions with guidance on preparing your responses. 

Questions To Ask During an Interview, Indeed: Provides categories of questions, many examples, and includes guidance on questions to avoid.

Video Interview Tips, LinkedIn Learning (via Class Central): Covers virtual interview prep, including tech setup, environment, and on-camera presence. 

How To List References on a Resume (With Examples), Indeed: Explains what to include, when employers ask for references and provides examples.

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How to Network, CareerOneStop: Practical networking guidance, including how to build a contact list, use informational interviews, and follow up with new connections. 

Professional Networking, LinkedIn Learning (Dorie Clark): Teaches networking strategies you can personalize to your strengths, including how to connect authentically (even if you’re more introverted).

Networking Module (Toolkit), Cornell Career Services: A step-by-step networking toolkit covering how to get started, use LinkedIn and CUeLINKS, conduct informational interviews, and craft an elevator pitch (personal introduction). 

Virtual Networking Part One: Using LinkedIn to Find Work and Build a Professional Network, Shift Workplace: A guide to virtual networking through LinkedIn, including dos and don’ts of using the platform.

How to Network and Turn Contacts Into Valuable Connections, The Muse: Updated guidance on building genuine professional relationships (turning “contacts” into real connections and maintaining them over time). 

10 Tips to Help You Network like a Pro, Indeed: A comprehensive guide to building relationships, revisiting old connections and building a network virtually.

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Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: VA’s VR&E (formerly Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) helps eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities explore employment options and access education/training support.

Ticket to Work, Social Security Administration: Overview of the free and voluntary Ticket to Work program for disability beneficiaries ages 18–64 who want to build a career and increase financial independence. 

LinkedIn Learning (Professional Development), LinkedIn Learning: A large library of courses covering business, technology, and interpersonal skills (e.g., communication, productivity, and leadership). 

Verizon Digital Ready — Course Catalog: A free catalog of 50+ online courses on career and business skills (marketing, finance, strategy, operations) with practical, job-relevant learning.

25 Free Online Courses With Certificates to Grow Your Career, FlexJobs: A frequently updated roundup of free courses with certificates, organized by career area, designed to help job seekers build practical skills and strengthen their resumes. 

Live Webinars, Indeed Job Search Academy: Free live webinars and an on-demand webinar library focused on job search strategy, applications, interviewing, and career management.

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Veteran and Military Transition Center, Career One Stop: Resources for veterans returning to civilian life, including finding apprenticeships and employment for spouses.

American Job Center Finder, CareerOneStop: A locator tool to find nearby AJCs (in-person/virtual), which can help with job search, training referrals, and career services.

State Job Banks, CareerOneStop: Links to each state’s official job bank to search and apply for jobs in your area. 

Job Corps, USDOL: A free career training program for people ages 16 to 24.

USAJOBS (Hiring paths): The official federal job site, including dedicated hiring paths for veterans, students & recent graduates, and individuals with disabilities, plus other special hiring authorities.

Apprenticeship.gov (Registered Apprenticeships): The U.S. government’s one-stop site to explore Registered Apprenticeships by industry and learn how to become an apprentice. 

USAJOBS Career Paths: Browse curated federal career paths (e.g., tech, internships) and jump into searches tailored to those tracks.

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BACK TO WORK 50+, AARP Foundation: A free program offering job-search workshops and career coaching for people 50+. 

Health Insurance Marketplace (job loss & special enrollment), USA.gov: Explains how to get health insurance after losing job-based coverage, including how Special Enrollment works and where to enroll. 

Job Tips for 50+ Workers, AARP: Advice for older workers searching for employment, including resources for resume writing, career planning and self-employment.

BenefitsCheckUp, National Council on Aging (NCOA): A current screening tool that helps older adults and people with disabilities find benefits they may qualify for (food, health care, prescriptions, utilities, etc.). 

Events Calendar, American Society on Aging (ASA): A calendar of upcoming webinars and events for professionals working in aging. 

BenefitsCheckUp, NCOA: Helps older adults find and enroll in programs that can lower costs for essentials like food, health care, prescriptions, and utilities.

Senior Community Service Employment Program, U.S. Department of Labor: A program for adults 55 or older that provides job training, job search services, and on-the-job experience.

Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) Program, Environmental Protection Agency: A program for workers 55 or older to share their skills and expertise with the EPA through positions ranging from clerical to technical and professional assignments such as technicians, writers, engineers, scientists and accountants working for the environment.

Get Hired: Job Search Help from AARP and Indeed, AARP: A resource hub for experienced workers that helps with finding age-friendly job opportunities and improving job-search materials (resume support and related guidance).

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State social service agencies, USA.gov: A state-by-state directory to contact your state social services office for programs like food, housing, child support, adult care, and more. 

Social Work Directory, Healthgrades: A search tool to find and compare social workers by location, with filters (e.g., specialty areas, insurance/telehealth where available) and patient reviews where provided. 

Eldercare Locator (ACL): A U.S. government service that connects older adults and caregivers to local support—search by location or contact trained staff by phone/text/chat.

Disability services, USA.gov: A federal hub for disability-related programs and services, including disability employment programs and guidance on benefits while working. 

How To Find a Career Coach (And When You May Need One), Indeed: Explains what career coaches do, when they help, and steps to find the right one.

State Resource Finder, CareerOneStop: Choose your state to find government offices, nonprofits, and programs that can help with employment, training, benefits, health care, housing, and more.

How to Find a Licensed Social Worker, OnlineMSWPrograms: A 2U-operated website of web resources to find a social worker, including how to verify a professional license.

Social Worker Finder: A searchable directory that can be filtered by location/radius, specialty area, age group focus, and method of payment (provider-submitted profiles). 

Find a Social Worker, NASW (Help Starts Here): Guidance and links to directories to help you find licensed clinical social workers and other mental health professionals.

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Mental Health Resources, CDC: A current hub for getting help, including crisis hotlines, finding treatment, and basic needs support.

Find help for mental health, USA.gov: A federal guide to getting mental health support, including 988 and options for counseling/treatment and low-cost care.

Find help for mental health, USA.gov: A federal guide to getting mental health support, including 988 and options for counseling, treatment, and low-cost care.

Crisis hotlines and resources, American Psychological Association (APA): A directory of crisis and support hotlines (including 988 and Crisis Text Line) plus guidance for finding longer-term help.

Anxiety Support & Resources, Crisis Text Line: Coping info plus free, 24/7 text support—text CONNECT to 741741 to reach a trained crisis counselor.

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Information last updated: February 2026