Rachel Levy had 10 years of marketing experience and an M.B.A. from a top business school when she was laid off in July. Rather than keep her feelings about the situation private, Ms. Levy started a blog to chronicle her life post-layoff. Her first post was about her best new job opportunity: baby sitting.

The former marketing director at the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston shared with readers that she had earned $102 from six hours of caring for three young children. It was a far cry from her old salary. "But --...