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CJ ArabiaCurrently, unemployment benefits are lifesavers for over 9 million Americans. But by the end of the year, 1.5 million of people still looking for jobs will run out of extensions.

Usually, the jobless can find full-time employment before their unemployment benefits run out. But in this recession, many Americans have been unemployed for a year or more.

In California, there's a maximum of 79 weeks of unemployment benefits. In New York, it's 72 weeks. Depending on where you live, you can get anywhere from 46 to 79 weeks of benefits.

Is that enough?

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Nice Work, If You Can Get It

I've heard people say that there's no excuse for being unemployed for a year. And you know what? I probably would have been one of those people before I got laid off. But after I was laid off three times in one year, I haven't found a job since, even though I've been steadily looking. I've come close -- I've had some good interviews with people who really liked me, but for whatever reason it didn't work out. I've taken a few short-term gigs, but unfortunately they end all too soon and then you're back on the unemployment chain gang.

I've applied for jobs and been rejected for being overqualified. I don't want to have a job that I'm overqualified for that will keep me from being able to go on interviews for other jobs that might be more appropriate for me. I love to work. I live for work. I'm passionate about what I do, and I love people. I love being in an office full of people. That's just not my life right now, so instead I use my free time to do volunteer work and write as much as I can.

A Light at the End of the Benefits?

Even if the recession eases, many economists say jobs will remain scarce and hard to find for some time to come. Some of those same economists have also claimed that extending benefits reduces people's incentive to find work, but I can tell you right now that I'd way rather have a stable job than be collecting unemployment. Jobs are scarce and are going to remain scarce for some time.

A permanent full-time gig with benefits is really hard to come by these days. I know that when the time is right, the stars will align and the right job will come my way. But what do all of us unemployed folks do until then? My friend Ryan suggests that I watch TV and stop caring. Other friends have suggested that I start my own business. Neither of those options feels right for me. I'm really open to suggestion.

Oh, and if you need a writer ... I can send you my résumé and samples of my work. I'm also an excellent online producer and a social networking expert. Can a blog about being unemployed actually get you a job? I guess we'll see.

To Do: Perhaps seek the opinion of a career coach. Anyone know a good career coach?