In an article recently published by Brookings, it describes the struggles the long-term unemployed often deal with. According to the information, the percent of Americans unemployed on a long-term basis is higher than the previous peak in 1981-1982 while the short-term unemployment rates appears to be average. This article also shows that majority of the long-term unemployed previously had jobs in retail/sales or blue collar type jobs. To read more click here.