Post ways to make your unemployment period sound good.

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So here are a few examples that I have used on resumes to make my unemployment period sound like I am actually doing work.

Instead of putting down something like I am unemployed and fix my friends and families computer as a hobby. You could say "I am a freelance computer repair technician, specializing in geriatric clients."

Instead of saying I have volunteered with the security department at anime and my little pony conventions. You could say "I am a freelance security guard specializing in weekend events and conferences."

Does anyone else have any other ideas of ways you can make your unemployment time sound good to future employers in doing things you like?

Depending on the career an individual desires, the individual might describe the career as "a successful combination of direct employment and freelancing." Also, including extraprofessional pursuits and infrequent employment such as "Taekwondo enthusiast" or "adviser to a local youth organization." If an individual loves movies, it could be described as "a student of film and media arts." These tend to surprise the employer pleasantly, and mixing up the long recitation of jobs with self-directed work makes the whole description much more memorable.

Remember, "attending" college can, in the minds of many employers, seem the same as graduating. This can be a subtle, yet truthful, bonus ... and if ever asked about the individual's degree, simply remind the questioner that the individual "attended" college, not graduated. After all, only a relative few employers verify their employees' degrees.

Don't include every past job unless required. And, try to use words about past jobs to reflect skills relevant to the job the individual is seeking. So, having been a secretary who once assisted a supervisor in planning the supervisor's annual board-meeting speech can be described as "secretary and special assistant in annual board-meeting relations."

Finally, every favorable reference letter is golden no matter how unrelated it might be to future employment. While I worked for Robert Redford for some years in the 1980s, I continued to use one of his three reference letters in applying for all kinds of different jobs. And, it certainly turned the conversation in my favor!

Or you can say you were taking care of a sick close relative.

Well. I guess I am a help desk volunteer for various problems, including but not restricted to: IT, mobile phones, english language, math problems, mental health issues... Because I spent most of my online time on a Polish website similar to Yahoo Answers and answer people questions.
When I don't do that I am freelance detective specializing in so called "supernatural phenomena" - because I attend a forum where people share their "supernatural" stories and pictures and I find rational explanation for them.
You could also call me an online games tester.
I also have experience as shop owner and leader of a small team (thanks to Swords&Potions 2 game I play daily) and house designer (because I like playing TheSims3).

volunteering is a perfecty valid activity in an unemployment period, there is no need to sugarcoat it to employers.
If anything, doing volunteer work is seen as a positive thing