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I went through it myself, and the most important thing is not to fall into a hole - stay active, whether through courses, volunteering, or just small projects, so you don't completely lose your rhythm. When job hunting, it helps a lot to not hide the gap in your CV but to openly communicate what you did during that time, and to focus on positions that are realistically a good fit for you instead of blindly applying everywhere. Networking is underrated - call up old contacts, join groups, let people know you're looking to work again. And honestly, get professional support from the employment office or a coaching service; they know the market better than you do and can give you concrete tips on applications.
"long unemployed" sounds dramatic, but it really depends on how long and what situation you're in. here's what a lot of people miss: writing job applications is actually a skill you have to practice. concretely, that means going through your old applications, doing mock interviews with friends or family, and updating your LinkedIn/Xing profile - not just waiting around until you feel better about yourself. most people land their next job through contacts or referrals, not through job portals, so actively networking is honestly way underrated.
If you've been out of work for a while, it's really worth checking your online presence - keep your LinkedIn profile up to date, maybe put together a small portfolio showing your skills, depending on what you do. What a lot of people miss: recruiters just google you, and if all they find is old info or nothing at all, you're making it harder for yourself. Plus, I wouldn't just sit around waiting for job postings to come in - reach out directly to people at companies that interest you. A short, personal message usually works way better than the hundredth generic application.
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