Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Working Wednesday: Not Hiring the Unemployed

Sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it? An employer refusing to hire someone who doesn't have a job. Isn't that why a job seeker has come to apply for the company's open positions? Do you not see on the headlines major companies still laying off hundreds/thousands at one time? What if the "hundreds" all live in the same city which has happened more than once since 2008? Many have the same job credentials. Do you really think your city or even your state can absorb all those unemployed at the same time into new jobs? We are still not over the depression. If we were, layoffs would not be large numbers at one time and people could find jobs within the traditional 6 months time period.

Job posting ads are popping up with words to this effect: "applicants must be currently employed" or "applicants must not be unemployed". Some states across this country are considering or have passed legislation to ban companies from discriminating against the unemployed. Each state is writing their law differently, so check your state for what the legislature is concerned about in particular. Most are concerned about marketing the open positions as noted above.

Rather than say "all unemployed" are not wanted at your company, take it on a case by case basis. Keep the playing field even by letting everyone apply for the position you advertise. Look at resumes and/or applications as your process dictates. Then call in the best candidates for interviews. If you do pick one that has been unemployed for awhile, be sure to ask what they have been doing in the interim. I know some have taken classes to update or enlarge their skill base, volunteered to keep abreast of their career field, joined network groups, conducted research, etc. You may be surprised they are now better matched to meet your needs. After all, it is all about you and your company. Don't short sight yourself if in the end you get a better employee than what is on paper.

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