How is it easier to get a job when you already have one?

falko89

This saying has been floating around for years but I really can't find the reasoning behind it, why would an employer want to hire me and pay me X amount per week, when he can get someone unemployed to do it for peanuts/min wage? I know in the past when at interviews and it comes up about me working at the moment this is the nail in the coffin, I can sense it.

So as I say I just really don't understand the meaning of this statement as to me it has always been the opposite.

melysion

It's because employers wonder why someone is unemployed in the first place. Were they sacked? Why were they selected for redundancy? And - the longer you are unemployed the harder it gets. They start wondering why noone has snapped them up before now. What's wrong with them?

redcard

You have a job: Waiting 6 months to get another job isn't really a bit deal.

You don't have a job: Waiting 6 months to get a job is a big deal.

It's not the case that it's magically easier, it's just less stressful and there's no panic to get something sorted ASAP.

[Deleted User]

I don't believe the saying sorry.. It really is because with someone out of work there is no notice period, the employer doesn't have to wait.








For me the saying "the grass is not always greener on the other side" is the most worrysome element of them all. Guess the only thing you can do is make it clear in a covering letter/CV/application form you are working and hope that is picked up on?

falko89

Deleted%20User wrote: »

I don't believe the saying sorry.. It really is because with someone out of work there is no notice period, the employer doesn't have to wait.








For me the saying "the grass is not always greener on the other side" is the most worrysome element of them all. Guess the only thing you can do is make it clear in a covering letter/CV/application form you are working and hope that is picked up on?

Another good point I didn't think about.

Two4Tuesday

It is because, whilst some (most) employers may want to pay as little as they can get away with, they also want the best they can get for their money.

Most employers may feel that a person who is in work has already been 'vetted' by previous employers, and is a safer bet than someone who is out of work.

geri1965_2

Surely it depends on the employer and the type of job available. If it is a minimum wage, no skills required position then I imagine someone who isn't working might do. If they are looking for someone experienced in the field, then they are prepared to pay and wait for the right candidate.

browneyedbazzi

Not all employers are looking for the cheapest person to do a job - I'd think the majority (other than manual labour jobs) will be looking for the best person for the job. If you're in employment and have a good reference then that sends a signal that you're 'employee material'. If you're unemployed then there's always a question of 'why?'.

I also think that people in work are more selective about what they apply for - looking for jobs that they particularly want to do or have the skills for etc, so they are more likely to get the jobs they apply for. Someone who's out of work is more likely to apply for all sorts of things because they really want to find some work - so they might be applying for things they aren't particularly suited for, therefore less likely to get the job.

PasturesNew

Once you're in a job it can be hard/impossible to get the time off for an interview (which might be 20 miles away or more) .... and then there's the notice period the employer has to wait for you to become available. I'm in the camp of "it SHOULD be easier when you don't have a job".

noelphobic

I took voluntary redundancy last year and have only recently started looking for a new job. I am being quite selective about which jobs I apply for (living off redundancy payment and not claiming JSA). I'm trying to start a completely new career and am doing relevant voluntary work and have a relevant newly completed degree.

I have seen jobs advertised that I would have a good chance of getting (admin work) but would only take one as a stopgap measure. This limits me because if I take a full time job i will struggle to get the time to apply for jobs/get time off for interviews. So the only way I will presently consider an admin job at the moment is if is part time.

I do have the advantage of being able to start immediately and am prepared to take temporary and/or zero hours jobs which people in permanent jobs are unlikely to apply for.

Swings and roundabouts in my case. I do think if I get a temporary or casual job it will make it easier for me to get something permanent either with the same organisation or elsewhere as I will have experience in the type of work I'm looking for.

tomtontom

Some employers value quality over quantity - they would rather wait for/ pay more for someone with proven (and recent) experience.