JOB SEARCH TIP: Managing the bias of being unemployed.

As if it wasn’t difficult enough to be unemployed, there is research which provides evidence there is a bias to hiring people who don’t have a job. (Here’s a link to one study: https://tinyurl.com/y74mjgq2)

Why the bias?

According the research and my personal experience, some employers see unemployment as a “scarlet letter”, where somehow your lack of a job is a reflection on your character. Just because you don’t have a job doesn’t mean that, but the bias will be something you will need to manage.

Some ideas to lessen the bias:

· If you can, make it less personal: “As you may know, several people were laid off because of the pandemic”.

· Get multiple references from former employers.

· Network with employees who work where you are interviewing and establish a level of rapport.

· And, of course, be prepared to tell your story of your accomplishments.

I wish there weren’t biases in the hiring process, but they exist. Control what you can and make your case.

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There are training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout. This content is free: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources