Out of Work: Don't Bother to Apply

It's a new form of damaged goods. Or at least that's what the perception is. The other day I heard about a young man about to fill out a job application in Los Angeles when he read, "unemployed need not apply."

It was a kick in the gut. The unemployment rate in California is still among the highest in the nation at 12.3%. Millions are out of work across the nation, that doesn't mean they are not among the best of the best.

"In a strong economy, there may be a case to be made that the strongest candidates are doing a great job in the job they are currently in," but that's not the case now, says Heather Whitley, director of human resources at Manpower Inc. in San Diego.

"Employers are shooting themselves in the foot if (they) are not taking a look at these candidates." Just because a person was laid off or is having a tough time finding work doesn't mean they are weak or incompetent.

And what a mind blower, "it's arrogant," at the very least says Jay Finkelman, associate dean at Alliant International University which specializes in psychology. He points out that the unemployed are not a protected class compared to those involving race, gender, elderly or disabled for example.

Just because you are out of work and assuming you are not capable is unconscionable." In fact Finkelman who teaches human resource management says instead there might be  "dysfunctional aspects" to the employment situation and it's better for the person who's looking for a job to "engage with a more rational employer. " 

Bottom line here is, it's the employers who are the ones missing out.

 

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