Yes and no. I think it really depends on who you tell you're unemployed.
If I had not told a very understanding acquaintance, I wouldn't have gotten
my last 2 jobs - in fact one of them was working a year for him! The other
was another freelance lead he gave me and I did get the gig, although
it only lasted 2 months. In particular, him and another friend that have been
on constant vigil for me. Both used to give me a lot of leads, but lately there
just aren't any leads out there to pass along.

I have to say that in the past 4 years, I've gotten FAR more leads through
networking than through any other source. Same holds true for my brother.
But again, I want to stress it depends on who you tell. Most friends and family
will be understanding. That's been my experience thus far.

However, I did have one occasion where one friend told me about a lead and
a different friend undercut me by going after the same job without telling
me - even though she already had a job! It caused a big rift between
us because she indeed did know I was going after that position. I've since turned
the other cheek and forgiven her. But I still can't and won't trust her on
certain matters.

The problem I'm now encountering is that many people in my network have either,
(a) started their own business or
(b) left my industry to do something completely different, so they can't really help me or
(c) are unemployed themsleves and struggling or
(d) have retired early
Right now, it's overwhelmingly (c).

Despite all the data and statistics the "experts" and the government want to
throw my way telling me we're in "recovery", I still firmly believe we're in a recession.