A
CNN article released today talked about how recruiters are increasingly
more discriminating between unemployed workers and those with a job. It’s a
fear for thousands of out-of-work job seekers who, like passive job seekers,
are looking for new opportunities thanks to a better job market. The new competition
that has emerged stands between the employees who were impacted due to restructuring
and business closure and the waves of disengaged employees who kept their heads
down waiting for companies to start hiring.
Now the dilemma
arises around perception. Are unemployed job seekers less qualified or
competent than those that managed to “keep” their job? You can see how this can
spiral out of control where the profile of the person is questioned more than
the circumstances that lead to why the person s unemployed (e.g. company or
division closure vs. the employee’s performance). If this perception is
growing, should unemployed workers lie on their résumés to ensure they get in
the door? Are we perpetuating bad recruiting practices as a result of these perceptions?
When two
equally qualified candidates are separated only by employment status as a key
decision factor; then we are treading into dangerous waters. Due diligence in the
recruiting process to find the best candidates is really all that should
matter, in addition to how that person fits the culture and systems of the organization.
What do
you think?
