When you do not have a job one of the biggest problems can be the social isolation that come with it. Long hours on the computer, with a newspaper or polishing and re-polishing your resume can be disheartening and lonely.
Of course, you cannot just jet out Phoenix to visit your college roommate, or to Houston to hang out with your brother, you need to conserve you cash. That is where IM’s come in. A full featured IM that can give you video chat will let you stay in touch, face to face with the people that can give you support.
Not to mention that it can give you a boost in your networking as well. The ability to show off your new skills with whiteboard or file share could be the difference between getting a lead, or just having a nice chat.