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

BillJones

makeyourdaddyproud wrote: »

But at the moment of the very first offer, that employer had no provenance against which to judge your value. Unless of course that first opportunity missed something?
.

That's not really right, though. They had met me, discussed what my plans would be for their business. They'd found out about the team I'd built previously, got to know a bit about how I think, and of course knew about my educational background, doctoral research rtc.

It's not like they made the decision based on a photograph.

The others had been interviewing me for about six months, not getting round to a decision either way.

dawyldthing

it depends on the type of work. As care work always seems to have positions coming up and are difficult to recruit for too. We have a local manufacturing place near us that does recruit from the jobcentre so some still do too. I think a lot of it is being at the right place at the right time, especially for some roles

scooby088

I think its just as tough to get a job whether employed or not, depending on your skill set, lets face most jobs dont change much over the years. It the availability of those jobs that changes.

melysion

scooby088 wrote: »

I think its just as tough to get a job whether employed or not, depending on your skill set, lets face most jobs dont change much over the years. It the availability of those jobs that changes.

I would agree, but the employed do have a significant advantage over the unemployed. Furthermore, I have read that in the USA at least, some firms have declared that the unemployed need not apply on their job advertisements. Says all you need to know really.

noelphobic

I haven't been in paid employment since June last year, after taking voluntary redundancy. I'm not 'officially' unemployed as I am not signing on or claiming any other benefits. I've only applied for a handful of jobs and they're for completely different jobs to anything I've ever done before.

I am at a disadvantage when I go for jobs where other applicants have proven track records in similar jobs.However, I have relevant current experience as a volunteer and have a relevant recently completed degree. I can start immediately and am happy to accept part time/temporary/zero hours etc. Most people in permanent full time roles wouldn't want to do this. I think if I can get a short term role it will help me to get something longer term.

CC-Warrior

I don't find it to be the case, I've always found it easier to get a job when I'm not working. I'm more motivated, I'm able to go for interviews without hassle and can start a job immediately.

chewynut

I've just changed jobs. For the first time I've been employed whilst job searching and I can't believe how different it's been. I think a lot of it depends on the job you've got, the one you're going for and then you as a person.

I applied for 4 jobs in the space of 2 weeks, got interviews for 2 of them and heard back within 2 working days with job offers. I still can't take that in because I've spent about 2 years altogether on the dole and could go months without hearing anything back.

One of the interviews was a group assessment and that was the first time I've seen the difference having a job makes. I was the only one in full employment. 2 others were students and 2 had been unemployed for a while. I was the only one who'd even been on the company website. The others were just sat there in silence when the whole point of the group assessment was to see how friendly you were. I think when you're unemployed you get used to being on your own and not having to deal with situations like that. When you're employed you're interacting with people all day so breaking an awkward silence and problem solving etc. isn't so much of a big deal.

scooby088

I am doing a zero hours contract works well for me at the moment, I have never done less than 10 hours per week and last week did 50 hours. I would like a guaranteed hours job but many of those are for unsociable hours and I dont want to work nights for nmw.

Dangermac

melysion wrote: »

Well that would mean someone being vindictive just for the heck of it. Why would anyone do that?

Of course, if there was any fairness in the world, the unemployed should have priority over the employed when it comes to jobs, just because the employed person is well - employed already - but we all know that's not the case. Being unemployed doesn't mean you are less likely to be a good employee than someone already in employment. All things being equal, the only difference between the two is blind prejudice - which is pretty depressing if you think about it.

Nonsense.

One of the main reasons that most/many employers would prefer a candidate who is already in employment, is that the candidate would be joining the new employer for (hopefully) the right reasons, whereas, someone not in work may be taking the job because it solves a short-term income problem, and may use the new job as a 'stepping stone'.

Nothing to do with blind prejudice at all. Please stop getting depressed

DM

noelphobic

scooby088 wrote: »

I am doing a zero hours contract works well for me at the moment, I have never done less than 10 hours per week and last week did 50 hours. I would like a guaranteed hours job but many of those are for unsociable hours and I dont want to work nights for nmw.

I was pretty much offered a zero hours contract in February but am having to go for an interview for it on Thursday (long story!) If nothing more permanent comes up before I (hopefully) start then it should be the perfect stop gap for me. I will be earning money (zero income at present), gaining useful experience and will still have time to look for jobs and go for interviews. Plus something more permanent could come up within the organisation (I was also offered that before, another long story!)