I have seen several articles in internet about a general bias against hiring long term unemployed people in non-necessarily academic jobs, see for example [here](http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/08/18/its-true-long-term-unemployment-can-make-you-unemp.aspx) and [here](http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/02/02/the-long-term-unemployment-crisis-is-out-of-contro.aspx#.Uu9lePvT5sU). **I was wondering if there is such an unwritten rule in academia as well?** 

I am sure someone might say it is not the case and according to the rules X and Y, it is considered a discrimination and it is forbidden by law and so on. I am not asking what the written laws say. **I would like to know if there is such a bias in hiring committees or not? And if there is such a thing how can a long term unemployed academic do to overcome this obstacle?**