Never be out of work.  It just looks bad.  “I’m looking for a job” has never been a bigger turn-off to employers.  Who wants to hire someone who doesn’t at least have “something” they are working on.  At least run a blog and offer some consulting services.  Lean forward.  Do!  Don’t just “be out of work”… or “look for work”… make something.  It’s never been easier to start a small business and offer some consulting services or build a simple app or make a craft or something…