You know your loved ones mean well by asking, but these questions still drive you nuts.

Here are some of my "favorites" and the answers I wish I could give. Add your own to the thread as you see fit:

Q: So what are you up to today?
A: Going to the library across town--because the city's so broke it has to close the library near me on Mondays--to spend hours writing cringe-inducing cover letters that scream "Hire me!" and hoping I can find a table near an outlet and away from that one homeless guy who smells like old Fritos, Night Train, and mildewed socks.

Q: Hey, but it must be pretty sweet to get money from the state just to job hunt all day, right?
A: Here, you take my $358 a week and endless days and I'll take your salary and job. No trade backs after the benefits expire. Deal?

Q: Have you tried networking?
A: Oh yes, because the unemployed person at the networking event is the life of the party. Now let me get back to cold contacting 3rd and 4th connections on LinkedIn.

Q: What about temping?
A: Oh yeah, in a state with 10% unemployment, there's a huge shortage of temp workers.

Q: Hey, but living at home means you can spend more time with your parents. That's great, right?
A: Oh yes, the complete lack of privacy, feeling and being treated like I'm 14 again, and the not-so-subtle hints that I'm not doing enough because if I were I'd be employed again are awesome.

Q: But you've had interviews!
A: You seem to be hinting that I should have landed something by now. Thanks...

Q: Hey, why don't you go back to school?
A: Because more debt and no better job prospects are exactly what I need right now.

I kid, I kid...slightly.