http://economy.ocregister.com/2010/06/21/long-term-jobless-in-calif-tops-900000/35129/#comment-31767 The real number is probably more than twice the official number. US does not count those who gave up on active job search as "unemployed". Besides, anyone who works even a few hours a week is "employed" even though the person wants full-time work.
yea about 1 million+ just gave up looking for work according to last months job data. Also keep in mind benefits are running out, they have not passed an extension yet which if they do not pass it in the coming weeks and months millions will lose their unemployment benefits.
Survival of the fittest. Adapt or die. Can't find a job in a certain industry? Get retrained in something else. Can't find a job in California? Move to another state.
Can't find a job in another state, then move to another country. Still can't find a job? Become a thief and steal what you need.
I can tell you from personal experience that if you can't make in California, you can't make it anywhere and are doing it wrong. edit: <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZI4tp9ZMERI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZI4tp9ZMERI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
I have a couple of friends got re-trained in nursing, which was believe to have a shortage at the time they went back to school. No job after they graduate. Both in Boston and in Seattle, the entire class of new nursing graduates had no job offers. Instead, hospitals are importing "experienced" foreign nurses. Re-training make sense only if there are jobs.
This is part of it. You can't just get re-trained in something that seems fun or something you want to do. If you want to be assured a job, get re-trained in an area where jobs are in demand.