Do you need to have a job to get a job?
A survey of more than 4000 job seekers and 129 hiring managers revealed that employed candidates have a better chance of getting hired than unemployed candidates. 80% of those surveyed believed that passive job seekers become better employees than active job seekers.
As they say, perception is everything.
But according to research, this is a simply not true.
Economist Rand Ghayad conducted an experiment where he sent out 4,800 fictitious resumes for 600 job openings. He found that managers would rather hire people with no relevant job experience than someone who has been unemployed for a long time, or has had several jobs in a short period of time.
Ghayad’s findings: “When comparing long-term employment history data with ultimate tenure across a population of over 100,000 applicants, there was virtually no difference in employment outcomes based on how many jobs a person had, or even how many short term jobs they had previously.”
In today’s talent landscape, with the unemployment rate of 3.8% and a talent shortage threatening many industries, this unemployment stigma can be detrimental to an employer. A company that refuses to hire the unemployed will lose the war for talent.
There are many benefits of hiring the unemployed:
• Eager to begin work
• The ability to start (almost) immediately
• Extra knowledge and skills gained while unemployed through consulting, volunteering or taking classes.
• People who are re-entering the workforce often bring loyalty to their new companies
• Independent professionals often gain more knowledge working with a variety of firms
Don’t dismiss an unemployed candidate before taking the time to evaluate the resume and learn more about why he or she left their last job. Understand why the candidate has been unemployed for so long. There could be a family or health issue involved.
Candidates, be clear on your resume and honest with potential employers. Managers often turn to their network for feedback. Always assume a manager will discover the very thing you do not want them to know. Discussing it up front will demonstrate your integrity.
Unemployment can be a terrifying trap, but to be successful, you must maintain a positive mindset.
Some of the world’s most successful people have been unemployed.
Harrison Ford went through a time of unemployment during which he taught himself carpentry. He became the stage hand for the rock band The Doors and then was hired to build cabinets at the home of director George Lucas, who later hired Ford to become Hans Solo.
View unemployment as an opportunity. Go into each interview with a great attitude. Get up every day believing something good will happen. Everything begins inside your mind. With the right mindset, you will succeed!
Carrie Charles
CEO BroadStaff
