Easier to get a job when you're unemployed?

MagicMarker

In the past I always heard that it's easier to find a job if you're already in a job. Is that still the case?

You're an employer and there is an abundance of unemployed people out there more than qualified and able to start immediately. Why would they choose someone already in a job who is required to give 2-4 weeks notice?

Any thoughts?

pow wow

I'm beginning to think it's 'easier' if you're unemployed, the last couple of interviews I've been to have tried to talk me out of leaving my existing job in the 'current climate'. It's a risk I'm willing to take, apparently they don't share the sentiment.

Berty

From the interviews I have had they always said

"We would prefer to wait to find the right candidate that make some hasty decisions"

I think if you are the right person for the job then you will get it.

MagicMarker

Berty wrote: »

From the interviews I have had they always said

"We would prefer to wait to find the right candidate that make some hasty decisions"

I think if you are the right person for the job then you will get it.

I've no doubt that's true but with the amount of people available immediately now I'm sure there are plenty that would be the 'right person', where as a couple of years ago that probably would not have been the case.

CorkFenian

I am finding this to be the case first time ever, very strong hints of "well Mr ... the other applicants arent working right now, what is your notice period" was mentioned 3 times in 2 interviews, there are loads of people available, within reason, I dont think working is the advantage it used to be, crazy I know!!

7861213

As im from an IT background and have been unemployed for nearly two years. I personally think it pays to be in a job for the IT sector as your skills are current for the marketplace. Regardless of how many years experience you may have.

Mrs OBumble

It depends on how you've spend your unwaged period.

If you've done very little, got into slack habits, slouched out of bed at 10 or later in the morning, watched TV for most of the day ... then being unemployed will have affected your mental job-readiness.

If you've stuck to a good routine, set yourself goals and achieved them, and have something to show for the period, then immediate availability is probably an advantage.

mrgardener

I always thought it was easier to get a job if you were already in a job, because the interviewer would be impressed that you would leave your current role to work for them.

donkey balls

swings&roundabouts at the moment it's an employers market where as years ago it was an employees market,another thing that some employers always looked at was consistency.

JJJJNR

Might be able to get someone who is unemployed a bit cheaper, where someone who has been in work wouldn't be that flexible with regards salary.

JJJJNR

7861213 wrote: »

As im from an IT background and have been unemployed for nearly two years. I personally think it pays to be in a job for the IT sector as your skills are current for the marketplace. Regardless of how many years experience you may have.

I'd think the opposite, its a great time to upskill and diversify, there has been a big drop in unemployed IT contractors in the uk, the IT market here is picking up also.

_Kaiser_

JJJJNR wrote: »

I'd think the opposite, its a great time to upskill and diversify, there has been a big drop in unemployed IT contractors in the uk, the IT market here is picking up also.

It's a great time to upskill and diversify IF you have the money to pay for the training.

For example: I've worked in IT over 12 years now and my last role was an IT Manager. I've extensive experience in everything from Windows servers, client deployment to purchasing, helpdesk management, team leading etc.

Realistically then sending me on an ECDL course is pointless. To get Cisco certified would cost several thousand euro that I don't have and would not be likely to get!

However, that said I'm starting to come to the opinion that the tech end of IT is something for the younger crowd. People who have their fresh degrees and who can afford to (living at home/sharing) work for 25-30k at the start, and do the running that's expected.

Once you pass 30, unless you have a specialisation (eg: Cisco, or Sharepoint), you become "overqualified" and having worked your way up, your salary expectations for your average sys admin role are a fair bit over that basic 25-40k range.

Personally I think I'm going to try and focus more on the team-lead/management/purchasing side of my CV as I think these skills are more "portable" and ultimately profitable in the longer term.

JJJJNR

Well have you been to your local fas office ? e.g. there are CCNA courses ran by distance. All you need is a web cam to participate and if your out of work longer than six months it will be paid for by FAS, I'm down to start one in July.

Also if you can make your case you can get funding for these technical courses, I've recently taken a VMware course which was part funded by me, FAS, and the dept of social welfare.

I agree about the tech end of IT being for the younger crowd, but thats because I'm also coming from an IT management background. Being honest to try and get out of the tech side I completed a diploma course in project management a few years ago. Most of the project work here seems hen pecked even though I've a cert (prince2) and diploma (DBS) ! and experience.

I'm actually looking to get into tech sales at the moment which should be plain sailing as I've done a lot of buying over the years, so hopefully will be able to turn the tables around.

billybigunz

The people who tend to be in jobs are usually a better quality and hence mroe attractive to other employers.

JJJJNR

So by your reckoning an employed plumber is better quality than an unemployed one.

_Kaiser_

JJJJNR wrote: »

Well have you been to your local fas office ? e.g. there are CCNA courses ran by distance. All you need is a web cam to participate and if your out of work longer than six months it will be paid for by FAS, I'm down to start one in July.

Also if you can make your case you can get funding for these technical courses, I've recently taken a VMware course which was part funded by me, FAS, and the dept of social welfare.

I agree about the tech end of IT being for the younger crowd, but thats because I'm also coming from an IT management background. Being honest to try and get out of the tech side I completed a diploma course in project management a few years ago. Most of the project work here seems hen pecked even though I've a cert (prince2) and diploma (DBS) ! and experience.

I'm actually looking to get into tech sales at the moment which should be plain sailing as I've done a lot of buying over the years, so hopefully will be able to turn the tables around.

Hi there,

Cheers for the feedback.. seems like you were in much the same boat as I am now then!

I'm just hitting the 6 month mark this month, but a big part of my problem I suppose is ignorance of what exactly I'm entitled to. I went into FAS when I signed on but the woman there couldn't get me back out the door fast enough!

I've always been fortunate to be working since I finished college, and the biggest problem I've found since I was laid off and trying to get my entitlements or find out about whatever options might be available is this attitude (from the officials in charge of the system I might add) that because you're on the dole, you must be some sort of scumbag waster that's an "inconvenience" and a "leech" on the system - it's an attitude I've seen echoed here on Boards.

As I'm sure you know yourself, not everyone who is currently unemployed is there because they can't be arsed working... speaking for myself, I'm applying for anything that I think I might even remotely be suitable for, regardless of the location because I don't WANT to be sitting around all day, and I don't want to get to the point where I do!

I've never really considered the sales side actually - I've always been in the support end - but like you a big part of my last role was procurement (drawing up tenders, negotiating with suppliers, managing the ordering process and following up on all this as needed) so maybe it's something I should look into as well - I've always thought I couldn't sell snow in the desert, but I've been told I should have been a politician because of my ability to get my point across and "spin" (though that's only when she's in a bad mood! )

dan_d

Interesting question. I've applied for one job in particular lately, that I'm crossing my fingers for. I've also had to take voluntary redundancy from my current job (other option would by statutory a few weeks down the road).
So I'm wondering if I'm lucky enough to get an interview, do I tell them I've accepted voluntary redundancy? So they're aware I'm out of a job shortly? Or do I say nothing, because they'll think well you're getting a sum of money so you'll be okay for a few months.....
Tough one.

Johnny Bitte

I don't think that employers would think that a person that is out of work is less qualified than one in work, provided they showed some sort of attempt to keep up to date with their relevant field.

Its the view that someone currently employed is up to date and currently using there skills that might be a factor but as stated before, having someone that can start tomorrow is a big factor too.

Depends of the person doing the hiring and I guess if you make a big enough impression either factor will not matter.

Being qualified and having experiance will only get you an interview, after that make sure and not be a twat!

shoegirl

JJJJNR wrote: »

Well have you been to your local fas office ? e.g. there are CCNA courses ran by distance. All you need is a web cam to participate and if your out of work longer than six months it will be paid for by FAS, I'm down to start one in July.

True. I did a CCNA by myself some years back. On the back of the book and the exam fee. I had no hands on experience outside of a Boson simulator. That said I had a lot of "real world" application and systems infrastructure support experience that helped get a bigger perspective. It really paid off and still does get noticed.

I don't think its easier to get a job if you're unemployed. Irish people are hyper conservative and make all kinds of assumptions - even if its clearly not your fault. My OU tutor said a while back that a recruiter friend is still placing 80% of her roles to people in jobs. The big difficultly is paying for courses etc on a small income. That said a lot of low to mid level IT people are, contrary to popular folklore, quite modestly paid so that extends to them also.