I remember a saying that went something like “You have to have a job to get another job” (I’m paraphrasing). I wonder if some companies, businesses etc... look more favorably toward an applicant that is currently employed vs one (maybe with better qualifications) that is currently unemployed?
Companies DO look more favorably towards those job seekers who are currently employed. This has been common the business world for years, unrelated to the current economic downturn.
The thinking, rightly or wrongly, is as follows:
Businesses hiring for any but an entry-level type of job seek those who have experience in that area. The ideal job candidate will be someone who is currently working in the field.
And related to that, the thinking is that if a job candidate is such a great candidate, that he/she would not be out of work for long. The thinking is that if he/she were laid off, that he/she would find something else soon if he/she was a top notch candidate.
And, related to layoffs and downsizing, the thinking is that if one were such a great worker,that he/she would not have been laid off; that he/she would have been among those kept when a business went through a merger/reorganization/downsizing.
Bottom line — business people think that top notch job candidates will find work fairly quickly if they are unemployed involuntarily for any reason. That may not be fair, but that’s how many business people look at it.
That factor has ben in the news a lot lately.One of the companies actually put in their help wanted ad.Most companies just toss the application without saying anything.
“I wonder if some companies, businesses etc... look more favorably toward an applicant that is currently employed”
...absolutely! Just ask any 20 year housewife.
Yes.
I used to hire a lot of engineers and my view was that 'there must be something wrong that I'm not seeing' on the people who were unemployed for an extended time.
And, with so many applicants/choices...why should I take the chance.