Many job seekers have asked me whether they should consider other forms of employment. By other they mean part-time work, consulting assignments, or volunteer work. An extended period of unemployment is incredibly stressful both mentally and financially, and doing something in the interim is a natural option.

I'd like to pass along a few words of wisdom on this topic.

Let's start with the situational reality. It's going to take time for the economy to reabsorb America's unemployed workers. According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics, our present 8.5% unemployment rate translates to 13 million people without jobs. By most estimates, there are approximately 3 million job openings in the economy, so it doesn?t take a mathematician to know that it's going to take time for the economy to produce enough new jobs for these displaced workers. Finding alternative forms of work is going to be necessary for many people as they ride out the recession.

As a general rule, I strongly advise people to consider a temporary assignment during an extended period of unemployment. There's no shame in doing everything you can to remain mentally and fiscally healthy. This might take the form of delivering consulting services in your area of expertise, learning new skills at a nonprofit, or accepting temporary work to maintain a minimum level of income.

Here's why I'm an advocate of this approach:

• By being active in the workforce, in any form, you increase the opportunities to build your network. It's hard to meet people and learn about job prospects while sitting in your house. And while volunteering in the accounting office of your favorite charity might seem "small time", it also presents the opportunity to network with some of the charities key executive members.
• It'll be therapy for your frayed nerves and stress. While it might not be your dream job, it's better than having all day to dwell on your situation. It might also help your relationship; having a spouse or significant other who is unemployed can be very stressful.
• A consulting or contracting assignment can sometimes be easier to find in a recession. An employer might not be able to make a full-time commitment, due to frozen headcount numbers, but can offer you a consulting or contracting position. In fact, history has shown that during the recovery phase of a recession consulting jobs grow ahead of the full-time job market.
• It's yet another opportunity to learn new skills. I believe that most employers will understand when they review resumes with gaps during the 2008-2010 period. With that said, it would be helpful if you continued to build your skills and credentials during this timeframe. A contracting assignment that allows you to learn a new software program, or a new industry area can be a beneficial addition to your resume.

I hope you find this advice helpful. Good luck on your job search.

Rob McGoven is the CEO and founder of Jobfox. For the past 15 years he has helped people get ahead in their careers. Rob started Jobfox to help workers connect with employers in a whole new way. Prior to Jobfox, he was the founder and CEO of Careerbuilder. In his spare time, he wrote the book Bring Your "A" Game: The 10 Career Secrets of the High Achiever.

Last updated: January 2010