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Debra Wheatman, President of Careers Done Write, provides expert insight to the job search process that puts your career in gear with tips for interviewing, networking, job search strategies and how to create a winning resume and cover letter.

Unemployed Need Not Apply: Insidious Bias in the Hiring Process
Job Search Strategies Debra Wheatman Job Search Strategies Debra Wheatman

Unemployed Need Not Apply: Insidious Bias in the Hiring Process

We know that the hiring process isn’t always run by rational folks, and many of them can’t help making value judgments about people who are unemployed. There is a prevailing attitude that someone employed must be doing something right – they are “employable” and have been validated by another company. In contrast, a candidate who has been out of work for months or years raises red flags. Laid off? Must not have been that valuable relative to these candidates who are still employed. Health/personal issue/moved? Sounds like they aren’t going to be reliable. Culture fit issue? If they didn’t fit in there, they won’t fit in here either. Contract ended? Must not have been good enough for renewal. Outsourced? Must not be competitive. These are just some reasons I’ve heard hiring managers pass on candidates who are not currently employed….

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How to Address a Lengthy Unemployment

Dear Deb, Q. I haven’t worked since 2009 and I was wondering if there is anything I can do to downplay this gap? It seems like the longer I am unemployed the more this becomes a big issue for me.  –T.J., Connecticut A.  For a variety of reasons, hiring managers do tend to favor people…

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Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman Job Market Trends Debra Wheatman

US Department of Labor Employment Report

December's unemployment number shows improvement with the nominal rate dropping from 9.8% to 9.4%, but those numbers might be misleading for a variety of reasons. In order to see why they might not be the great news some of our more ebullient analysts might make you believe, some basic discussion of how the rate is…

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