The "Unemployed" Need Not Apply

[guido911]

Yep, only those currently employed will be considered by some companies:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/04/disturbing-job-ads-the-un_n_600665.html

ducking now

[rwarn17588]

Get a job, you jobless people! 

[Gaspar]

This is very common.  I worked for a staffing company last year where I went through hundreds of resumes a day.  Most of our clients were not interested in talking to people who had been unemployed for any duration of time.  They knew that by hiring the currently employed they were more likely to get people with a work ethic and skills that made them valuable to their current employer.

The changes to the Unemployment Program under this administration allows recipients to collect for almost two years (22 months).  Also, the Gov't is paying half of their COBRA now, so they are getting their full medical for less than it cost when they were employed.  Anyone willing to simply collect is sure to have a very difficult time when they start to look.

I was laid off last year.  It was difficult to find work I was qualified for, and it took about 3 weeks of solid interviewing until I found something. I have friends who were also laid off who are very qualified, but haven't spent very much time interviewing.  Some have flat out told me that they have 11 months left and that they don't intend to to look for anything until they absolutely have to.  I don't think they realize how much that's going to hurt them.

My advice, if you find yourself unemployed, spend at least 8 hours a day looking for a job.  Call at least 30 companies you would like to work for (takes about an hour).  Ignore the news paper employment section (worthless).  Use Indeed, www.indeed.com.  Call all of your old clients, co-workers, and friends and let them know you are looking.  Talk to previous employers that you have a good relationship with.  Talk to vendors that you enjoyed working with.  Feel guilt and PERSONAL humiliation every time you cash an unemployment check.

[waterboy]

Common is not correct. The personnel function in business today is broken. It has been divided up into benefits/payroll and the recruiting/hiring function has been farmed out to poor quality agencies. It wasn't done because it was a better way of hiring. Its cheaper, the responsibility of employers to take any chances on new hires is diminished and it removes potential liabilities.

It results in stupidity. Agencies use the internet to do background checks. Poor reliability. I've pointed out before that a quick check on one of the more common search engines shows I am currently in Lexington Correctional Facility. How does that affect my chances Gas? Its wrong but I was told I need to prove to them that I am not that guy before they will change it. Guilty till proven innocent in the business world.

It results in total lack of loyalty by employees and a sense of no investment on either side. A job is like a marriage. Try using those two elements in your wedding vows and see how long the marriage lasts.

My advice? Follow Gaspar's rules of the road. They're good. But don't be over 40, don't ever work for yourself (that is as bad as being unemployed for long periods of time), don't expect your employment agency to work for you and don't draw unemployment unless you absolutely have to. Employers informally pass that info and hate you for it.

[Gaspar]

Common is not correct. The personnel function in business today is broken. It has been divided up into benefits/payroll and the recruiting/hiring function has been farmed out to poor quality agencies. It wasn't done because it was a better way of hiring. Its cheaper, the responsibility of employers to take any chances on new hires is diminished and it removes potential liabilities.

It results in stupidity. Agencies use the internet to do background checks. Poor reliability. I've pointed out before that a quick check on one of the more common search engines shows I am currently in Lexington Correctional Facility. How does that affect my chances Gas? Its wrong but I was told I need to prove to them that I am not that guy before they will change it. Guilty till proven innocent in the business world.

It results in total lack of loyalty by employees and a sense of no investment on either side. A job is like a marriage. Try using those two elements in your wedding vows and see how long the marriage lasts.

My advice? Follow Gaspar's rules of the road. They're good. But don't be over 40, don't ever work for yourself (that is as bad as being unemployed for long periods of time), don't expect your employment agency to work for you and don't draw unemployment unless you absolutely have to. Employers informally pass that info and hate you for it.

Agree 100%

The Recruiting function is also quite sleazy.   It's akin to pimping.

That said, having owned a business, and with a wife that owns a business, as well as several other family members, we do tend select employed candidates over unemployed.

[waterboy]

I guess I was speaking more about larger corporate entities. Smaller businesses don't have much luxury to take chances, but they can be much better at matching qualifications to job needs.

[sauerkraut]

This is very common, the bottom line is get a job any job as a stand in- if you want to be looked at by a head hunter at a good company. Many temp agencys also won't touch someone who has no job. That's just the sign of the times.

[bmuscotty]

Anyone besides me remember way back when that the hardest part of getting a job was passing a physical? Now its background checks and so on.... and now this.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Gaspar,
How do you make 30 calls in one hour?

As my company grows, I am keeping an eye out at McDonald's at their entry to mid managers.  If one can find a successful McD's manager who has survived for more than about 2 years, one has a candidate who will likely be very good to have, even if need significant training.  And they typically appreciate the reduced hours and higher pay (less than 60 per week and more than $9 per hour).

[Gaspar]

Gaspar,
How do you make 30 calls in one hour?

I've done it, many, many, many times. . . but you're right, it's ambitious. 

Another thing I've always done, is leave messages like "Hi Mr. Johnson, this is ______ give me a call back at 555-555-5555." 

I don't have discussions or leave detail with voice mail.  I want the guy to call me, not make a decision from my message.  I want him/her to understand that I am as important as anyone they would call, and my time is just as valuable.  We can learn about each other when we talk.  I don't sell myself to a recording or package my message.

[Conan71]

Gaspar,
How do you make 30 calls in one hour?

As my company grows, I am keeping an eye out at McDonald's at their entry to mid managers.  If one can find a successful McD's manager who has survived for more than about 2 years, one has a candidate who will likely be very good to have, even if need significant training.  And they typically appreciate the reduced hours and higher pay (less than 60 per week and more than $9 per hour).

It's called "dialing for dollars".

Many moons ago, I worked for a small loan company as a collector. 30 calls per hour was the norm, nothing less was expected from my supervisor.  You obviously don't get ahold of 30 people an hour, especially when they owe you money, but you try nevertheless 

[Gaspar]

It's called "dialing for dollars".

Many moons ago, I worked for a small loan company as a collector. 30 calls per hour was the norm, nothing less was expected from my supervisor.  You obviously don't get ahold of 30 people an hour, especially when they owe you money, but you try nevertheless 

"Dialing for dollars" . . .that phrase brings back memories!

[custosnox]

You guys are scaring me.  After loosing my job last August, I had some trouble re-entering the job force since I had no real marketability.  Now I'm going even longer since I have made the decision to return to school and get a degree. 

[nathanm]

You guys are scaring me.  After loosing my job last August, I had some trouble re-entering the job force since I had no real marketability.  Now I'm going even longer since I have made the decision to return to school and get a degree. 

You should be fine, presuming you actually get the degree. You don't have an unexplained gap in employment, you decided to go back to school and improve yourself.

[custosnox]

You should be fine, presuming you actually get the degree. You don't have an unexplained gap in employment, you decided to go back to school and improve yourself.

Good, now if I can only find something part time in the interum that is very flexible on hours