Should you consider doing unpaid work if you can’t find a paying job?

Absolutely. Many companies and nonprofit organizations advertise paid and unpaid internships, but you can also create your own. Contact companies, especially small ones, in your field and ask if they would allow you to do unpaid, entry-level work in exchange for the experience and industry connections

You can volunteer at a nonprofit organization in an area relevant to your career, like accounting, marketing or education. This allows you stay involved in the work force in some way, developing your skills so you have something to sell to employers when the market turns around.