In November of 2008, I was laid off from my position as a Project Manager for a real estate developer in L.A. due to the financial crisis. I’m 36, and have been in city planning (complete with an MS)/real estate development my entire career-two industries that have effectively vanished. The process of transitioning out during the recession has been an absolute nightmare and now I’m faced with almost 1.5 years of an unemployment gap. I now feel like this is the most threatening aspect preventing future employment and need to address the best way possible. I’m considering designing a website, offering professional services and giving myself a title simply to have on my resume. Is this outside the bounds of what’s acceptable? I certainly wouldn’t lie about work performed under this heading. I’d like to be able to point to classes taken, etc. but frankly finances simply wouldn’t allow (I have massive grad student debt and refuse to go in deeper-esp w the nightmare stories/statistics that are out there for those who have done so). What should I do?

Thanks, Ben

Ben, find the One Stop Career Center in your residency from www.servicelocator.org and tap in your zip code. You may call first and register and see if public funding is available for your desired courses—perhaps project mgmt. certification or even LEED certification since your background is in real estate development. Some cities have non profits organizations giving these types of web design and other computer tech skills training at no cost to unemployed people, answering a vast need. As far as listing a self-employedconsultancy in web design, certainly that is acceptable.

Close the gap in a meaningful way and be prepared to talk about it in an interview in a way that shows this was useful and augments your project mgmt. skills. If you earn money, of course, you must report money earned each week that you do, while collecting unemployment insurance. That aside, offering consulting services whether you earn money or not will close the gap. Of great worth and also closing the gap is offering your expertise in a community affiliation with a local group turning buildings, etc. into “green” sustainability is definitely a PLUS.

Make sure you have some buzz words to boot in your resume professional profile—something like “Cognizant and adheres to sustainability practices in business and familiar with eco-friendly products and services. “While you are at it, join some green and project mgmt. groups right on www.linkedin.com (if you don’t already have a free to set up profile on that professional site, make one asap and put the URL page link on top of your resume under your email. You have a treasure trove of experience. By all means, close that gap, get out there and network.

Suburbia and many inner cities are undergoing a revamp—becoming greener with parklike settings punctuating the asphalt and concrete to save the environment and make for healthier living. Certainly we will see lots of growth and change in the decades to come. Don’t think this chapter is closed to you. Stay relevant and keep your chin up. Best of luck to you!