unemployed
Lacking paid position
Unemployed describes someone without a job, particularly someone actively seeking work: She's been unemployed since the factory closed.
The term typically implies involuntary joblessness rather than chosen non-work like retirement or homemaking.
The unemployed refers collectively to people in this situation.
Unemployment rates measure the percentage of the workforce currently without jobs.
Terminated from employment
- furloughedGranted mandatory unpaid leave
- out-of-workWithout a job
- downsizedReduced in scale
- terminatedBrought to an end
dismissed · redundant · underemployed · workless · retrenched · nonworking · outplaced · sacked
Comfort and prosperity
- doleState benefit payments
- severanceTermination pay or disconnection
- benefitsGains or helpful effects
- claimsStatements of truth
payments · subsidies · assistance · handouts · means-tested · eligibility · entitlements
Practical uses or requests
- resumesJob applicants' summaries
- interviewsFormal evaluative conversations
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- vacanciesUnfilled positions available
recruiters · LinkedIn · headhunters · portfolios · applying · opportunities · positions · qualifications
Prolonged economic decline
- downturnEconomic decline period
- layoffsMass job eliminations
- automationSelf-operating system design
- outsourcingThird-party task delegation
Persistent apprehensive distress
- depressionProlonged low state
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- hopelessnessState without hope
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
frustration · shame · stigma · isolation · self-doubt · worthlessness · boredom · aimlessness
laid-off
Terminated from employment
- furloughedGranted mandatory unpaid leave
- out-of-workWithout a job
- downsizedReduced in scale
terminated · dismissed · redundant · underemployed · workless · retrenched · nonworking · outplaced · sacked · fired
welfare
Comfort and prosperity
claims · payments · subsidies · assistance · handouts · means-tested · eligibility · entitlements
applications
Practical uses or requests
- resumesJob applicants' summaries
- interviewsFormal evaluative conversations
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
vacancies · recruiters · LinkedIn · headhunters · portfolios · applying · opportunities · positions · qualifications · temping
recession
Prolonged economic decline
- downturnEconomic decline period
- layoffsMass job eliminations
- automationSelf-operating system design
outsourcing · restructuring · austerity · joblessness · retrenchment
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- depressionProlonged low state
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- hopelessnessState without hope
rejection · frustration · shame · stigma · isolation · self-doubt · worthlessness · boredom · aimlessness · uncertainty
- unemploymentjobless, joblessness, jobless rate, laid off, out of work
- employment statushired, fired, retired, laid off, terminated
- job transitionjob search, laid off, career change, interviewing, resume
- job seekersapplicants, candidates, job seekers, interviewees, prospects
- nonearnersretirees, pensioners, homemakers, housewives, dependents
- underclasspoor, pauper, peasant, homeless, serf
unemployedemployed
Having paid work
working · hired · salaried · contracted · self-employed
unemployedbusy
Actively occupied with tasks
occupied · engaged · active · productive · industrious
- unemployment benefitsState aid for jobless workers
- unemployment insuranceBenefits for displaced workers
- unemployment ratePercentage without jobs seeking work
- unemployment officeAgency assisting jobless workers
- unemployment crisisSevere widespread lack of work
- unemployment claimRequest for jobless benefits