I can think of no earthly reason why companies would refuse to even interview someone who currently has no job. Maybe they think that the currently unemployed are the dregs of the earth and that the collapsed economy was entirely their fault. If you can't tell already, I have no respect for HR personnel. ... especially those who have been unemployed themselves for any period of time. (And there are LOTS who fit in that category!) The HR person may make lame statements such as: "That's the direction we got from the boss and there is nothing we can do about it." My answer to that: "Total bullshit." YOU are the one tasked with filling the position with the best possible candidate. How do you know that the unemployed person you just rudely turned away was not the perfect fit for your company? You didn't even look at his resume."
I found this article on the InterTubes and thought it was a good answer for a bad situation. Try saying this the next time an HR person stuck in the Middle Ages asks you if you are currently employed:
"I'm not working now. But if you'll tell me what you want a new hire to accomplish in the first six weeks on this job, I'll outline right now how I'll do it for you. Of course, I welcome you to shape my approach. And if you hire me and I don't succeed in six weeks, then I'll quit. I'm willing to make a commitment to deliver the work you need to have done."
(from: Ask the Headhunter: The Right Way to Search for Jobs When Unemployed | The Business Desk with Paul Solman | PBS NewsHour | PBS:)
If the HR person STILL says, "I'm sorry but you don't meet our requirements", you can end the call by saying: "BULLSHIT".
Good Luck and Good Night
da penguin
