Last Wednesday Yahoo/CNN posted an article “Out-of-Work Job Applicants told Unemployed Need Not Apply” and everywhere I’ve gone I am hearing all about it: online discussions, blogs, students at the school I work for, and even the grocery store! With such bustle surrounding the article, which states that many companies do not want to hire those who aren’t working, I figured I might as well comment on it. Listen folks, this is nothing new!
This theme of ‘not hiring the unemployed’ has been happening forever, which is one of the many reasons why career coaches and professionals say it’s easier to find a job if you already have one and encourage people to volunteer or contract while searching for employment. Recruiters used to be called ‘head hunters’ because they would have to hunt down the best of the best at other companies and try to swoon them over to a new company. Recruiters today still target employed professionals at other competitors instead of the massive hoards of the unemployed. But why?
I spoke to a whole slew of recruiters and got their feedback on this timely topic and suggestions for what you should do if you’re now in the masses of the unemployed. Here are a few common threads in my discussions with various recruiters and hiring managers on this topic.
Laid off vs. long-term unemployment
I think one of the things the CNN article fails to address is the difference between the unemployed and the long-term unemployed. Many people are getting laid off in this economy for a variety of reasons, and 80% of the recruiters I spoke to were very understanding of this. It’s the candidates who remain unemployed an extensive period that tend to have more stigma attached to them, and are likely the ones being discriminated against. “What is more common is not having candidates chosen for interviews who have been unemployed for a long period. There still is bias when people send in a resume and haven't worked since 2008,” states Pamela Claughton of Custom Search Group.
The other 20% or so who saw this practice were mainly executive search firms who’s highly tailored approach to high-level recruiting lends itself to recruiting only those highly in demand and employed. Michael Gush of Adams Dearborn explains, “I believe that many of our clients don't understand why they should pay us a fee for someone they could find on their own. Their perception is that they have either already received applications from the pool of available unemployed candidates, or they could easily find those candidates on the job boards.”
Barry Maher of Barry Maher & Associates continues “My clients almost never ask for only employed applicants. However, there is almost always a strong preference for the currently employed and the burden is certainly on the unemployed to explain why they are unemployed. And the longer they've been unemployed the bigger that burden is. I'm certainly not saying it's fair but as one client put it ‘Nobody wants someone nobody wants.’ “
The ‘employed’ take jobs for the right reasons
Have you heard recently that you’re ‘overqualified’ for a position? Companies are more scared than ever these days in taking on someone who isn’t just the right long-term match for the job they are hiring for, and with good reason. Marc Golden of M Golden Consulting agrees, “The numbers do not lie. Unemployed people do not stay put as long. It is a big decision for a candidate to leave a company where he/she has worked for several years. Most candidates do not want to have to make this decision twice, and employers know it. Quite simply the hiring managers are afraid that you will join them and continue your search for a better position while taking their paychecks. Employed and stable people are usually the safer bet.”
“Employed people make job changes because it's a good career move. This will reduce the chances of them leaving too quickly. Many unemployed people, in today's market, have accepted positions to be employed. You will see an additional wave of job openings that will be created when more desired options become available for these people,” adds Cathleen Faerber, Managing Director of The Wellesley Group.
On turning away job offers for unemployment benefits
A lot of unemployed people are turning away contract positions because they desire benefits, are making more on unemployment, or don’t want to have to reapply for unemployment after their contract ends. However, companies also don’t want to take risks of bad hires and often hire contractors after they prove themselves - and the ball is definitely in the employers’ court these days. Considering it is easier to find a great job when you’re already working, job seekers may want to consider being more open in their search and accept less-than-perfect contract offers. When you’re employed you interview better, are less stressed, regain confidence, and have more room to negotiate your new job offer. Think of the long-term benefits instead of focusing on the short-term sacrifices you may have to make to get closer to that ultimate goal.
Linda M. Duffy, President of Leadership Habitude, concurs that employers shouldn’t seek only employed candidates, but adds, “I'm all for people finding the right fit and accepting a job when it's the right opportunity for them. If someone turns down too many offers, though, I think they will be perceived as lazy or not serious about finding a job.” Gush elaborates, “Unemployed job seekers should not close themselves off to temporary or temporary to hire opportunities as those roles are typically only available to those who are unemployed. They can be a very good way to get into good companies during a time of continued hiring freezes.”
Jessica Cary of Workforce Alliance elaborates, “It would not be perceived as a negative staying on unemployment if the company that you applied for was not a good cultural fit for you, or if their ethics and values were not in align with yours. Even if a position may be below your skill set, but there is opportunity for advancement, career growth, or the chance to learn a new skill, you should accept the position - especially in this downward economy.”
Golden continues, “I run into people everyday who are unemployed that do not even want to hear about a position that does not pay more than they were making before and it is perceived very poorly in the eyes of employers and recruiters. We are looking for performers, not coasters. Anyone who would rather do nothing for a fractional paycheck vs. working and accomplishing things for all of the marbles will be noted and not contacted for future positions. A candidate that is weighing the merits of a potential job against the value of unemployment benefits is demonstrating enough bad judgment to be eliminated from the process based on that action alone.”
Prevent growing a long-term gap
One of the most important things you can do to not fall into the image of the long-term unemployed is to fill in your employment gap with consulting or temporary assignments, or even volunteer work in your field. Join and attend professional associations and obtain fresh certifications for your field. Employers seek out motivated, bright, strategic, and ambitious employees, and you can show these traits by wisely filling your time during your job search with activities that help grow your career, not emptiness that could kill it. Claughton continues, “It shows they've been doing something. The consulting tends to be received especially positively as it shows a demand for the person's services and a proactive nature.”
Golden offers further words of wisdom, “If you are unemployed it is important that you continue to stay up to date on your profession. You should stay current on your targeted industry by reading, attending seminars, and networking with people in your chosen field. You may benefit from volunteering, consulting, writing or even part time work that is in your related area of interest. The real problem is not that a candidate is unemployed. The real problem is that every day of inactivity in your industry makes you less relevant and therefore less valuable.”
The point here is not to get mad and waste your time arguing with the realty of current hiring practices and preferences. Instead, get educated on why companies make such decisions and better prepare yourself for the war out there. Find ways to fill your long-term employment gap and grow empowered as you become accountable for your own career development, and your future! The interviews and offers will likely follow!
Comments
Seriously? Your response to the article is "That's the way it's always been"? Living in Michigan, which has moved out of the top spot for the number of unemployed people all the way down to number 2, I have had my share of dealing with this "Stigma". It's nonsense! Recruiters and companies must change their ways! I've been unemployed for 1.5 years. Not for lack of trying or applying. I'm out there daily trying to get work. I am contracting but, unlike the clueless rant in this opinion, contractors are treated the same as unemployed people.
"That's the way it's always been"... the montra of the clueless and stuipd.
Unfortunately, "That's the way it's always been" is true. And sometimes the truth hurts. I was a recruiter 10 yrs ago and frankly, if you were unemployed, you weren't touched by a recruiter. Employer response to paying between 5-25k for an unemployed person? Why would I bother when I can get them free?
Think about it. As a job seeker in tough times--my advice to you would be to stay away from recruiters, unless you have a personal/professional relationship with them already and they can personally refer you. And change your job search strategy. Whatever you are doing now--it ain't working. It's not that they don't want you--it's just they don't "know" you. So develop that network, and puruse the "hidden" job market. It's the best way these days. What's the hidden job market? And How do you build a network? Tune in to Megan...that's another story...
Kris,
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I have a pretty good idea of why you're not finding work. 1) Wow! You're ANGRY! 2) YOUR response to this is that anyone who follows these policies (ie, those who would be potentially looking to hire you) are "clueless and stupid".
That being said, here's my own take as someone who's worked in the IT field for over 20 years: there's a lot of folks I know who have worked in the field, but have been unemployed for similar or longer periods of time. The reason? They're not very good at what they do. I know these people, some are friends, but I wouldn't refer them to any open positions I know about. Not attaching my name to them. Maybe it's time to rethink how qualified you are in your career? I'm not saying that's THE reason you're having trouble, just that of those I've seen who are in similar circumstances it has been.
Good article. I believe that employers need to end their bias on employing the unemployed. Without this we (America) will never return to the low Unemployment rates of the 1990's.
Speaking from two layoff experiences as a single mother, each lasting approximately two years, the emotional/mental price of being home most of the time while using the computer to work, was just too high a price to pay. For my sanity & to be a good example for my daughter, I HAD to get out of the house on a regular basis. I learned many great lessons & that yes, it is absolutely possible to have a joyful life in spite of hard times. Volunteering & helping individuals whether you know them or not, does wonders for the tormented soul, as does joining unemployment ministries/support groups. I also bought a magnetic car sign, "Laid Off Editor Will Write for Money". Hey, you do what you have to do! Don't give up - no matter what, do NOT give up!
Excellent article....It is very true about recruiters. Though I use to work in career service, I have been unemployed more than once the past ten years...am starting a new position next week. You have to prove you are a worker..I did home health and tutoring while being unemployed as well as my writing. I was hired by a recruiter though while unemployed. I strongly advocate in my articles the committment to showing your are a strong worker
Thanks for such a thoughtful article about a difficult -- and clearly emotional -- subject for many people.
Thank you everyone for taking the time to read this and my other columns. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to comment as well. My aim is to provide insight into the minds of hiring managers and recruiters in order to empower and arm job seekers. Job seekers, please don’t feel unwanted or hopeless – you just need to go a little further outside of your comfort zone than you may be used to. Your next opportunity could be right around the corner. Gambro, thanks for the muse! ?
I never leave comments- but this was such a well written and well thought out article I had to say thank you for clarifying and bringing depth to this issue.
I completely agree with some of the comments here. I also agree with the article that it has always been in that way BUT, things are different now and we should adapt to it. I have been unemployed for over a year now and I am in the best disposition to work. I have tried pretty much everything but I am still w/o a job. The interesting part is that I am an HR professional with a Bachelor's degree, good HR experience, and certified as an HR professional but unfortunately I have found that HR fellows without the HR certification, education and with less HR experience are deciding that I am not "good enough for the positions". In order to make those unemployment numbers go down, it is very important to change our minds (to avoid acting like robots), and at the end, it will be a win-win situation for all.
Put yourself in the position of asking someone to marry you. The person may be the IT person but the family that comes with the commitment may not be. Take the best candidate to perpetuate the culture, to represent the company, and to do the job. Thats all.
Good article and premise. In my former career, Wall Street firms almost always steal employees away; no one wants to train a new person, companies want experienced brokers with clean records and a book of business; not particularly in that order! You are doing a great job and great service here! Keep on. Subscribing to your RSS
Those that have responded with such comments as "good article", "well thought out" and more are like married people questioning why single people aren't married ... Few seem to care why there's such a high divorce rate amongst married people. Certainly, single people don't ...
Equally, people who have been fortunate to keep their jobs, have kept their livelihood, and their identity. Those people who have been less fortunate have lost much, including their confidence. What do we do in return ? Kick them again with such nonsense as justifying why we should continue to keep the UE out of the employed ranks. Now, doesn't that make us feel just a little better and safer ...
About economics, the longer the growing populations are without meaningful employment, the longer the country remains dependent on social programs, bailouts, handouts, and offshore labor to rescue poorly managed companies at the expense of us all. Why ? Because we're all affected by these troubling times whether we live it now, or will live it later.
A word of caution to the rather self-righteous employed, one day it will happen to you; sooner than you think. And, all you'll have to do is re-read this babble, take a nap, and all will be better in the morning, 'eh?
I can't believe, that in this economy, employers as well as recruiters can think that "nobody wants somebody that others don't want." Most of the people looking were not necessarily let go because of no want but, more of consolidation of resources. I think that if that is the true attitude then the companies and recruiters are losing out on the some of the best talent.
Reading the article and the comments, away from the scene of action, reinforces my belief that US is losing thought leadership fast. Here, in India, discuss such things is a taboo!!
The employed rejoice that they are superior to those who are'nt, and the unemployed cry out "but it's not fair". Yet noone looks out for real business solutions.
If the recruiters were to practice what they preach "contract jobs are good to stay current in fast moving times?" it would make sense. Heck, do the same folks not define relevant work experience too narrowly? You bet
Why? their promise is "we get employers that elusive special someone everyone(??) wants". That's a tall promise - what results prove this is being fulfilled, if any?
IMO, information asymmetry at hiring stage needs to go if best man for the job is to be truly implemented. It's what free-markets need to function, not these antiquated views.
This article is not about kicking people who are down. I know for a fact that the author and many of those quoted spend a significant amount of time helping the unemployed find meaningful work. Maybe those of you who suggest that employers change their practices are correct. But that is "the world that should be", in "the world that is" Megan has given you some steps that you can take to improve your chances of getting hired sooner.
Good feedback often feels like a beating, but it is not, it is actually the ultimate act of kindness. Thank you Megan for telling us what we need to know, not what we want to hear.
Marc
Excellent article Megan. As a career counselor myself, I often help people with long bouts of unemployment and these are great suggestions. It is unfortunately true that employers will, more often than not, be skeptical of someone who has been unemployed for a long time. As you suggest and I always tell my clients, volunteering if not contracting or consulting will always make them a more attractive candidate by closing the employment gap. These two things also help increase networking opportunities.
To the writers who suggest volunteering: New York State Unemployment policy prohibits beneficiaries from volunteering. I had an active volunteer relationship while working full time (45+ hours a week). When my position was downsized due to the company's financial woes, I let the unemployment representative know I was volunteering a few hours a week which was contributing to networking opportunities, activity level and confidence, I was ordered to stop immediately as it violated policy and would lead to a loss of benefits.
My daily job search has been nothing less than rigorous. The market is tight and the competition is fierce, and the on-line application process is a black hole. Emotionally it's isolating and discouraging. New York State Department of Labor should reconsider their volunteer policy and view it as a beneficial piece of the job search.
I wouldn't consider breaking the rules and risk my reputation and integrity. That, and my family member's law enforcement unit prosecutes unemployment fraud in our locale!
In the meantime, I'm training to take my administrative and management experience into the sustainability field which is an expanding industry.
Many times you can sidestep volunteering laws if you are doing an internship as a part of school - check into that.
This stuff is just BS, how many companies are being paid to make the unemployed look worthless. Even recruiters are picking about who they send. I have 28 years experience, but I am 55 so experience does not matter and oh yeah we only hire experience, how do you get new if they will not hire you. There is so much BS out there it makes me sick!!!!!
Allow me to be perfectly clear -- I'm employed [by the seat of my pants]; also over 50, also encountering all kinds of discrimination -- kindness as it's been described -- along the way; volunteering or contracting -- whatever you wish to call it -- until my fingers bleed.
What the UE really needs is not to be given fish, but to be taught how to fish ! Nowhere have I ever read, viewed, or discussed this portion of employment with anyone during networking. The UE are simply tired of the same old crap, repeated by minions, parrots, and puppets alike ...
PLEASE -- come up with something new, inventive, or ingenious that will actually solve problems and show critical thinking so much so that the UE becomes the EE !
Megan thank you for sharing your insight into a very thorny subject. This came up in our Career Cafe discussion panel last Friday. Your article shared some good reasons for hiring employed vs unemployed. I think job seekers should be mindful that they need to make a case for their skills and transferrable skills in every conversation they have with recruiters, hiring managers or HR.
There are levels to everything. I agree, to a degree, that organizations only want to hire the employed. From my perspective, this has been around forever. I think it's simply more visible now due to the unemployment situation.
I liken this to a complaint I recently heard while I was attending a networking group. A lady suggested that age discrimination was getting worse. I politely—very politely—suggested that maybe she was seeing age discriminating because she was now in the group that was being disciminated against. It was just more visible to her now. It was there before, she just didn't have to deal with it over the last 20 years as she was gainfully employed during that time.
All I'm saying it that the unemployed more clearly see discrimination against other unemployed people because they are now wearing those shoes. Yahoo/CNN simply wrote a story nobody wanted to hear.
David Roualdes
Founder & CEO of JobAspirin.com
Excellent article!
As a recruiter, I often recommend people search out ways to get involved with a non-profit in a capacity that will display their professional talents. This is also a great way to network with people that might have leads on paying opportunities as well.
I also recommend consulting opportunities. These keep a candidate's skills relevant and also provide networking opportunities as well (oh, and a paycheck to boot).
Being unemployed for any length of time can play havoc with a person's psyche. The thing to remember is that when you aren't working your job is to find a job. Keep moving, keep looking, and work through the desire to fall to despair.
Step back and look at yourself as if you were a potential employer. Do a SWOT analysis on yourself. Work on your weaknesses. Try to get to the root of why someone should pay you and what problems you can solve for an organization.
Both sides have their merits but the bottom line is this, what has happened to compassion? My husband was a Marketing Director with Samsung for 5 years when in 12/08 their company decided move the division he was working at in California to merge it into their corp office in NJ. They offered "relocation packages" which we did not take and everyone that moved is now out of work. None of the people my husband worked with have found work either. There are 4 million unemployed people in Calif right now and I watch as my husband networks like crazy, attends meetings at his professional organizations sends resumes out but companies hide behind the internet. Even if he's lucky to get an interview as soon as they see he's 61 all bets are off. He has a lot to offer but nobody sees that, just his age. He served his Country in Vietnam for 4 years but where is his Country for him?
Great article and comments! "True discovery consists not in finding new landscapes, but in seeing the same landscape with new eyes." ~Marcel Proust
Let's open our eyes people to the opportunities that are right before you right now!
The unemployment numbers are skewed. Department of Labor does not take into account those who worked for non-profit agencies like churches. Religious organizations are not required to pay into unemployment. As a result, those who work for churches are left penniless. It happened to me over a year ago, and I'm still unemployed and over the age of 50, and penniless. I have applied for numerous positions.
Who ever provided the 'advise' has obviously never worked at a real job. Anyone over 45 is basically in trouble if they are unemployed in the high tech area. As soon as you are 40, you better stay in the job or all is lost. Only the twenty some are getting hired or anyone who is dumber than the hiring manager. The hiring manager perceives anyone with twenty years of experience as a threat.
The other problem is the H1b and all the other so called temporary visas being issued in mass to unqualified foreigners. For the past four jobs I had, I was hired to 'fix' the mess. These were temporary jobs, which were the only ones I could get because of my experience level. I have twenty years and an engineering degree. I was capable of 'learning' on the job when I was thirty-five but suddenly not at forty-five?
Spend $100k getting a higher education in engineering or science, slave at work for twenty years and then watch as the industry hires cheap unqualified labor from India and China.
Nicely done,Megan. Just the fact that you have elicited 2 comments (whether they are positive or negative is irrelevant) goes to show that this article definitely struck a nerve!
leigh ann (norfolk workplace examiner)
Everyone can turn this into a 'the way it should be' conversation all they want, but what we need is NEW STRATEGIES because the ones we (the unemployed) obviously aren't working! Thank you Megan for the insider information and insight. I value it, and your column! Thanks!
Here's the thing. It is entirely clear that those in the reigns of hiring responsibility so many times get caught up in their own little "god" complex. Most people in HR are devoid of the ability to sniff out great talent. Getting a job in a tough market after getting laid off is insulting enough - to be thought of as somehow defective because you weren't hired back somewhere immediately borders on incompetence on the part of the HR people that harbor this predjudice.
It would be perfect justice if there was a major outsourcing to India of HR people, and the ones here in the states were left twisting in the wind for a year or so... they would be whistling a different tune then!
Oh, I love this discussion... "why should I pay a recruiter when I can get the same guy for free?" says it all. The value of recuriters was that they can find/bring talent to the table that might have otherwise been unavailable. If you are unemployed, don't waste your time with a recruiter because they add new value- apply directly.
We must organize as a nation now. Our government has allowed an invasion of over 30 million illegal immigrants of who are habitual lawbreakers, uneducated, criminals, terrorists, gang members, pedophiles, prostitutes, and drug users/dealers. Defense budgets and military bases all over the country are closing down. Open your eyes people they don’t need soldiers they want slaves. Your current lawmakers have sold us out to foreign nations, private investors and the poor south of our border.
The plan is to replace us with illegal immigrants then leave legal U.S citizens broke, hungry and defenseless to be taken over by rich and poor foreigners with bad intensions. Citizens born in the United States are the target of elimination and are slowly being pushed out of the workforce. Illegal immigrants in the U.S earn an average income of $30,000 per yr with no papers, elementary diploma, high school diploma, or college degree.
This is our land and civilization we were born here. The people do not have to accept this treason or any new laws or legislation that supports foreigners before it’s own legal citizens. Organize & mobilize join us at http://usmoa.org
I have recently talked to recruiters and they are saying that this is 100% true. Employers want what other companies want. Also, discussing this with recruiters, has led me to several key points. 1) In some companies the workforce was cut 40-50%. This means that the people left MAY have been good at their jobs but more than not they were the key people who could do the job. And now they are stressed out beyond measure having to work with skeleton crews, etc. 2) Another reason I say MAY have been good at their jobs, is that they may have merely been the most manipulatable...in other words...how many ways can the company take advantage of them without them saying anything? 3) Workers in these situations more than not, had very little time for professional development. 4) Many unemployed workers went back to school and got other training that makes them more viable than some working candidates. Just some thoughts. Hopefully this silliness passes quickly and we go back to the market where employees had a bit more leverage.
errr...I should have said that "they were the key people that could do the job...with the least amount of salary."
And that last post was mine. Got a little trigger happy.
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