The longer you remain unemployed by not taking something... anything to close the nearly four year work history gap, the lower the value of your work. Pretty soon, you will fall behind those recent graduates just because of technology advances in the technical field. I don't think your are in the position to turn down any work even remotely close to your field. what looks better on a resume, 4 years taking a check from the government or 4 years doing work even close to your field for lower pay?