Anyone who's actively looking for work can probably acknowledge that it's much easier to find a job if you have a job. Why is that? It seems counter-intuitive that you have to be working, in order for another job to fall into place at the right time. I have a theory that I'd like to share about that...
Employers Have A Lot To Choose From
Let's acknowledge that the job market is....shall we say....soft. It's not easy to find a job, especially one that pays what you need it to pay and offers you the flexibility and benefits that you desire. Employers are struggling with the tight market to remain profitable. One of the areas they have cut their costs is in labor. So, as business begins to ramp back up, employers are reluctant still to hire a large workforce again. They may chose to fill their positions part-time, thus saving on the costs of benefits. They may chose to fill their positions temporarily -- so that they can weather the storm if it begins to rain again. They may chose to max out their current team with overloading them with the work previously done by the 5 they had to let go. I've seen all of these strategies at some point.
Let's acknowledge that the job market is....shall we say....soft. It's not easy to find a job, especially one that pays what you need it to pay and offers you the flexibility and benefits that you desire. Employers are struggling with the tight market to remain profitable. One of the areas they have cut their costs is in labor. So, as business begins to ramp back up, employers are reluctant still to hire a large workforce again. They may chose to fill their positions part-time, thus saving on the costs of benefits. They may chose to fill their positions temporarily -- so that they can weather the storm if it begins to rain again. They may chose to max out their current team with overloading them with the work previously done by the 5 they had to let go. I've seen all of these strategies at some point.
If You're Working, You Are "Employable"
But, as an HR Manager, when I have a flood of resumes for a position I'm trying to fill, I've got the opportunity to be selective. And the ones that rise to the top, generally, are the ones who are qualified and are currently employed (even if they're not doing the same type of work that they are applying for). Because if you're employed, in the minds of HR-people, then you're EMPLOYABLE. If you're employed, even if it's a temporary position, it shows that you're still motivated, driven, willing to work and that are a person who can hold and maintain employment.
The sad truth is that the longer a person is unemployed (collecting unemployment) the less and less he/she is likely to be viewed as employable. I'm not bashing unemployment, or those who have to go on unemployment to temporarily help them in transition. In this blog, I suppose though, that I'm really trying to reach out to those people who argue that they can make more money collecting unemployment than by taking a lower-paying (or even a minimum-wage) job. It is scary to think that some people rationalize it that way. Worse yet, they are actually shooting themselves in the foot, long-term, and will likely wind up having a lower-paying position long-term because they chose unemployment over being employed somewhere.
Don't Take A Rest...Get Back On The Horse
Unemployment has been extended for 2 years in our state. So, feasibly, a person who had work skills, experience, drive and motivation, and was caught up in a massive layoff, now can coast for 2 years. They can sleep in, watch TV, do whatever they want to do, without any restrictions to their schedules. But, after those 2 years are exhausted, they are not considered desirable employees to hire over those that stayed working. I suppose there is truth in the phrase, "it's very hard to push a rope." I find a high number of employers who are extremely reluctant to consider someone who's been out of work for an extended (longer than say 6 months) period of time. So, time passes, and the chances get slimmer and slimmer.
Making Lemonade
Typically, preference will be given to those who show that they are driven, and willing to do work (even if they feel it's beneath them for a while). Funny, but those folks rarely stay down. Those are the folks that make lemonade (when life's thrown them lemons). Those are the ones that rise to the top and are quickly snatched up by employers for the better job opportunities. Those are the folks that quickly seem to get promoted to jobs with greater responsibilities and higher pay.
The solution: Get working a soon as you can! Network with people to stay informed of opportunities out there; work with recruiters whose business is to find people jobs; or go to a temporary staffing company to get working again. By all means, work on developing your skills, education and such...But try to work while you're doing so. The busier you are, the better.
Summary:
Let me say it once again, it's much easier to find a job when you have a job. Don't become a statistic. Don't kick back and collect unemployment. Get out there and stay employed. Time flies far too quickly, and the longer you're unemployed, the harder it will be to find a good job. Those who elect to remain unemployed will be competing for the minimum wage jobs once their unemployment runs out.
Kathleen Lapekas - PHR
Action HR Consulting
For Personal Attention to Personnel Matters...
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