A B = C. So how does this equation affect your job search?

Perhaps more than you realize.

A…Yes, the job market is robust, actually very robust. Our national “official” unemployment rate continues to hover around 4%. Economists consider this “full employment.” There must be a job immediately available for anyone who is qualified and wants one, right? 

Well, not so fast.

Yes, the job market is quite strong; that’s the good news. But, for the most part it’s also very, very competitive; that’s the bad news.

Some surveys have suggested that up to 70% of professionals would be interested in a new position. Of course this includes many “passive” job seekers; but 70%. That’s a lot of competition!

B…JobSearchDx LLC has surveyed over 1,000 hiring managers and has validated what we all know to be true – employers continue to have a preference for hiring the employed applicant.

There’s that stubborn, lingering concern, “What’s wrong with Paul? Why did he lose his job? Let’s consider someone else…” This is thinking from the 1950’s!

This is thinking that has not embraced the reality of decades of corporate restructurings, position eliminations, outsourcing and the ongoing churn of new leadership within many organizations and its results. Terms like “restructuring,” “outsourcing” and “position elimination” did not even exist in the 1950’s!

Business has changed; and yet, our hiring practices have not caught up with this reality.

It’s most likely that Paul’s job loss had nothing to do with him. But recruiters continue to prefer employed applicants to present to their client organizations. And even LinkedIn penalizes us in their algorithm if we do not have a “current” employer. Why do we still think this way?

C…So what happens to that unemployed applicant? They’re at the back of the line.

And with the level of competition up to 70% of employed applicants in the market, the line can be quite long. Ugh. And many of the unlucky 13 million among us who are unemployed and underemployed are on that line. We need to help them.

We really, really need to change this paradigm. It’s time. Actually, it’s way past time.

And we can change our collective thinking on this issue, but only one person at a time.

It starts with you. Pass it on.

________________________________________________

If you’re seeking a new position - especially if you are dealing with the additional challenges of unemployment - consider taking the Job Search Diagnostic™. jobsearchdx.com

The Diagnostic is the first-of-its-kind “expert system” that comprehensively evaluates the effectiveness of a professional’s job search and provides personalized advice so you can get better results – and land faster. It is based on a proprietary framework of the 3 Principles & 22 Factors™ that will determine the success of your search.

 It’s the Digital Coach™.

It was developed by Peter Dubner and Paul Stuhlman who have 40 years of experience and have coached over 4,000 professionals during their job search.

The Diagnostic is our attempt to help the 13 million - one at a time.

If you think this post could be helpful to others – especially if they are in transition – please consider sharing with you professional network.

Join us. Let’s help the 13 million. Together.

Paul Stuhlman

Co-founder

JobSearchDx LLC

jobsearchdx.com

linkedin.com/in/paulstuhlman

[email protected] 

“Helping professionals conduct a smarter job search”