Unemployed Persons Need Not Apply

Posted by in Career Advice •


I read an article recently about how some jobs at some companies actually have a restriction stating that unemployed people need not apply and would not be considered for the position. Some companies who have openly stated that within the ads, when asked about it, immediately changed the ads to remove the wording.

 

Even without the explicit wording in the ads though, the underlying principle is still in effect. The point is, that some positions are being opened only to those who are currently gainfully employed and seeking to switch careers. Unemployed applicants get ruled out right at the start, without even knowing. Of course, unless the ad states this, there is no way to know when and if this is happening behind the scenes.

 

It has been admitted by some job consulting firms that there are many executive recruiters that do not even look at a candidate’s paperwork if they do not have a job currently. One of the first questions they ask is if the candidate has a job; and if not, they are often told they will not even get the interview, and if not told, they are just silently passed over.

 

One of the reasons this practice takes place is because it is often assumed that the reason the candidate is unemployed is because they were laid off due to bad performance issues. Obviously this is not always the case in times like today when unemployment is so high, but it exists in some fields nonetheless.

 

While many professionals in the hiring field state it is indeed a bad practice, it is not illegal and not really something that can be regulated very easily. Sadly, there are millions of people unemployed due to no fault of their own, and this kind of immediate disqualification could be ruling out some of the best and brightest candidates for a job. Some professionals do say that if a company is actively working this way when it comes to hiring, in a time of high unemployment like we have now, then they have no appreciation for the state of affairs in the nation.

 

One of the other reasons that hiring agents have stated they apply this practice is because of the huge influx of applications received for any and every job postings. Many people are applying for any opening, even if not even being close to qualified. With such mounds of paperwork, trimming it back by quickly eliminating candidates based on things like this, help to make things more manageable. Trying to determine why someone is currently unemployed is too time consuming in these cases, and so the decision is made to just eliminate them from the running.

 

In a way it kind of all works out in the end I think, because if a company hires an employed candidate only, then that leaves an opening in the company where they left. So even if a company here or there is practicing that, it will ultimately lead to openings in companies that do not.  

 

What do you think about such practices like this? Do you think there is a valid reason to justify this type of elimination process? Share your thoughts below.
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  • Ramona H
    Ramona H •
    My professional opinion is the practice of not hiring a potential candidate because of his/her unemployment status is discrimination and perhaps it should be added to Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act 1965. Indeed, it reveals the internal mindset of the company in the negative and one would inquire of the turn over rate, especially, in view of the economy within the previous four years.Sincerely,Ramona H
  • Sheila M
    Sheila M •
    I would not want to work for a company like that anyway.....
  • Debra R
    Debra R •
    I for one do not like the policy of not getting employment because you are unemployed. I have been looking for work for 2 years after working with my last employer for 12 years and the one before that for 18 years. It's not right.
  • Laurie R
    Laurie R •
    Personally, I think this is very unfair. It is my opinion, in this economy, that the employer has the advantage and the employer knows it. So us millions of unemployed people have to go along with what the employer dictates.
  • Jeffrey McCormack
    Jeffrey McCormack •
    I admit, when I was reading up on it and heard it was happening, it made me kind of step back in disbelief. In some ways I can see their point for doing it, and like I mention above, not all companies do it, and those that do get the position filled, which still causes other positions to open up elsewhere, so hopefully it kind of takes care of itself in the whole scheme of things.
  • Jo Ann B
    Jo Ann B •
    I think these practices are discriminatory in nature and should be considered illegal!  Employers and recruiters should expect mounds of resumes since the unemployment rate is high due to employers reducing staff for what ever the reason maybe.  Employer's/recruiters that follow this type of elimination process contribute to the current joblessness.
  • James B
    James B •
    It scares me that this can happen. I have been out of work for nearly two years and having been seeking employment 7 days a week. I am an older individual with good working experience and if I knew this practice goes on  that companies would not even look at my resume cause I have been out of work for so long is scary.

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