Do hiring managers tend to view unemployed applicants less favorably than those who are currently employed, and if so, what can an unemployed applicant do to make a more favorable impression?
A. While it is always more challenging to get a new position when you are unemployed, in this economy many employers realize that there are very skilled and capable employees being let go and that not having a job isn’t necessarily reflective of you personally. The important thing is to stay positive and never play the victim. - Cay Gliebe, VP, Sales and Marketing, Northgate Arinso
A. During the process of screening resumes, those that show time lapses in employment appear to be viewed a little less favorable than those that don’t, especially if there has been an extended period of time between jobs. In order to change the negativity, an unemployed applicant must continue to show growth during this transitional period. Individuals can begin by having their resumes reflect involvement in professional development courses or field-related volunteer work to avoid lulls. – Ronald Miranda, HR Manager with Aldeasa A.J.V.
A. Prior to the economic downturn, applicants with résumé gaps were not viewed as favorably as employed applicants. However, with today’s high unemployment rates, many talented candidates are available through no fault of their own. Successful applicants should explain what they have done in the interim, including volunteering in the community and enhancing their skill sets. – Margaret Hintz, team manager for Administaff in Atlanta
These human resources professionals are members of the Atlanta Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management. If you have a question you would like to ask a panel of local experts, please e-mail it to Sharon Belhamel, vice president of public relations for SHRM-Atlanta at sbelhamel@bellsouth.net. For more information about becoming a member of SHRM-Atlanta, please visit their membership section or call 404.442.7335.
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5 comments Add your comment
eric watson
October 28th, 2009
12:17 pm
good information to know.I Think it is entirely unfair for potential employers to judge you less favorably because of a long term period of being unemployed people do tend to get discouraged after a point.You come home and turn on the television watch the evening news after submitting resumes all day to see wall street once again has record earning numbers….
Michelle
October 28th, 2009
10:44 pm
I recently had two interviews and the employers seemed shocked to here that I have been unemployed for a year. Both employers wanted to know what have I done within the past year. I expressed updating my computer skills with self training courses, while continuing my job search. The provided information does help and now my focus is on updating my resume to show volunteer work during my down time.
The Unemployed
November 3rd, 2009
11:50 am
Oh please…people aren’t allowed to have a little down time between jobs? That’s what’s wrong with this country. Employers look at you as an “under-achiever” if you’re not up to your ears in staying busy. What is wrong with doing nothing more than brush up your skills? Afterall, when you ARE lucky enough to land a job, you’ll be humping your A$$ off because of the lean staff on hand. And chances are, you were humping before you lost your job as well. It’s a nice, long vacation…the ones they’re used to getting in Europe!!!! Not a measly 10 days!!!
Nick Gonzalez Demendoza
November 3rd, 2009
4:18 pm
11-1-09 671,000 unemployed in GA. Let’s face it, what responsible people have done for 2 yrs. is search for employment to pay all of the bills! This is what they ahve done when employed and not at work; and during the gap when unemployed! People have filled out 400+ databases, aps., mailed resumes, etc. and been interviewed very little. Co’s. all need help; but can’t afford to pay people. For Ex: This Burlington Northern Co. deal includes much less cap. expenditures; and less people on the payroll; among other things such as efficiency, less trucks on the road, and longer trains. Plus, Asian Imports, grains to Asia from the USA, and coal as a cost effective fuel, and its tranported by rail, also. I digressed!
The GA. DOL has 391 + jobs posted, which is .05% of the jobs needed. So, 95.95% of Georgians who want a job are failed by the situation.
Labor Ready, in N. ATL./Roswell, GA. areas has 10 to 20 workers waiting on work M-Sat. with few assignments in 12 + days of sitting around 2/3+ of the time. Yet, I see 15 new office complexes and retail sites in N. Fulton County GA.
With the kind of manpower avail., we could build a pipeline, a high speed railline, a biotech health center, a Stadium, and multi-use projects.
The Infrastructure is being built in small sections of the road at a time by a few workers in heavy construction; or even smaller groups in grading, etc.
The point is this now too: If you envision it, then show Georgia that you want to employ people now.
One project, GM Doraville, is stifling much economically in N. ATL.!
The deal makers need to Partner up; so that Georgians can direct deposit their pay back into another fin. in$tit.
The un-employed survivor
November 4th, 2009
9:33 pm
When employed I found myself struggling to pay bills. I never live beyond my means. I did not have a furtune 500 status. Guess what? Since I have been unemployed my status never changed. Must stay focused and allow life to take its course. I DEFINITELY AGREE WITH ‘THE UNEMPLOYED’ COMMENT.