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Home | Unemployed workers only have a six month window to find a job

Unemployed workers only have a six month window to find a job

Posted on Friday, 19 June 2009 08:53AM by Janet Davies, Editor
According to new research published this week by The Institute of Leadership and Management, workers that have recently been made redundant only have a 'six-month shelf life'. After this window of opportunity, the stigma of being unemployed kicks. It seems a little harsh under the circumstances, but those of us who have been on maternity leave will recognise this crazy prejudice only too well.
 
They surveyed 1000 managers who were (and still are) actively involved in recruitment. The findings revealed that the vast majority of managers (84%) are initially not concerned about the unemployment status of a job candidate and were simply interested in recruiting in a meritocratic manner, making decisions based on ability or performance. However, if a candidate has been out of work for half a year or longer, then they are less likely to hire them. Over a quarter (28%) of managers said they are less likely to hire someone that they considered to be long-term unemployed.

On a more positive note, they also asked how redundant workers could improve their employment appeal. Studying for a qualification scored pretty highly (notwithstanding that this was commissioned by the ILM!), demonstrating an up-to-date knowledge by reading technical or professional books, magazines or journals relevant to the role, undertaking voluntary work or working as self-employed. Taking a gap year or and/or volunteering overseas was the the only option rated negatively - seems a little harsh to us, but the views and prejudices of recruiters are often a revelation frankly!

Penny de Valk, Chief Executive of the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM), who commissioned the research, commented: “Unemployment isn’t necessarily an indicator of ability, especially in the current climate when hundreds of talented individuals are being made redundant through no fault of their own. The good news is that most employers will treat unemployed applicants exactly the same as other candidates.”

So, for those of you still struggling to find a new role, do consider your options (and our tips) on learning new skills and volunteering . At the very least, get acquainted with your local library and what it has to offer and make sure you can demonstrate in an interview that you've been doing something constructive with all that free time you have on your hands.

Happy hunting!


Source: 'Bouncing Back - Attitudes to unemployment' is published by the Institute of Leadership and Management. They currently have an offer for unemployed managers to join the ILM free for six months - for more details of the offer that we have published previously please click here .

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