As the unemployment rate — official or otherwise — begins to drop, those many professionals “still” in job hunt are beginning to feel left out of the party. Their one-year layoff anniversary date is upon them, or has just passed, and they are seeing people around them finally landing jobs. One of their fears is that employers will think they are the discards of the work force.

So the question, “Why have you been out of work for so long?” strikes particular fear in the hearts of most job hunting professionals. To them it sounds like “Is something wrong with you that a) you were laid off, that b) no one else yet has hired you, and/or c) that you’re still looking?”

Even if you dismiss the minority of people in HR or hiring manager positions who have somehow missed the news that our country has been and still is — job-creation-wise — in a deep recession, as more and more people are hired, most decent decision makers will, indeed, wonder about those still looking.

Here are a way to answer. But first: I never believe that people are really in job search for as long as they say they are. People are in shock and denial for some time, even if, on autopilot, they immediately start sending out resumes. They dig up that old resume, make some additions, and start with checking out the online ads. They begin to attend networking groups but aren’t really sure what to do. When, after a few months, those things don’t generate much if any response, or they get trounced in an interview, they realize they have to change something.

So it’s then that job hunters say, “I really need some help with this.” They get that help in various forms. For those people who come to me, I tell them “You’re really only just now starting your search. Until now, you’ve been just casting about for more clarity.” The client, hearing this, actually feels relief to know they haven’t been doing things they way they need to in order to land a good job, because now they know “it’s not them”, it’s how they’ve been going about it. And they can fix that.

When the interviewer asks you this question, he or she is truly are plumbing about to learn “How does she handle things when they don’t go her way?” Show them you’re fine with it and will work hard to get into a better situation.

So. Now your search has taken 6 months, 8 months, a year. And they’re asking you what you’ve been doing, and why hasn’t someone else scooped you up?

Here’s a real statement, unvarnished, from a real client: “I had a year’s severance, so I took time off with my family during that time. I helped my daughter through a several projects at the junior high, and I did a lot of things around the house. Then I went to get my certification in xyz, and began applying for jobs. I did OK, even got a few interviews, but I knew I blew every one because I was so nervous and blanked a lot, and they never had me back for a second one. That scared me, so I took another few months off. Soon my health insurance is going to come to an end and I am in full gear to get a new job.”

How she’s going to tell the doubting interviewer that same information: “I’m sure you’re well aware that many good people are available and looking for their next position, and the job search isn’t what it used to be. I wasn’t aware of that at first and jumped into it without doing my homework. That meant I spun my wheels a lot at for the first month or so. But, being a person who quickly changes what’s not working in a project, I then did research to learn what I needed to fix. I sought out the Subject Matter Experts and learned how to better focus in on, and communicate better, what I do well. I can bring that same tenacity to you here at ABC Company.”

In other words, it’s OK to say that you weren’t so smart about the early part of your search. As long as you show that you BECAME smart about it, quickly, and went on from there. That will reduce the time, in their minds, of you being between jobs. And the positive attitude revealed in that answer shows them you’ve left your old job behind and are ready for new challenges.

Other points:

Don’ts: Don’t talk about painting the house (even if you’ve done it). Don’t say “I’ve been looking for a job” (even if you think that’s what you’ve been doing). Don’t be defensive.

Do’s: Certainly, you should talk about classes or seminars you’ve taken, certifications you’ve earned, internships, relevant volunteer experiences. Do emphasize that you’ve picked up new skills and methods that you can’t wait to use on your next job.  Do mention your pent-up energy, which you can direct within their company to get problems off their desks. Turn your long job search into a positive.

Those are the things that hold value to an employer, and the reasons why an employer WOULD, indeed, hire you, out of work a long time, or not.