How to Get Hired When You’re Currently Unemployed

Laurie Hyllberg

Laurie champions Kinsa Group’s position as the top food and beverage recruiting firm in the nation and its presence in the global FMCG marketplace. To her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Business Management, and Marketing she adds over 20 years of executive search experience in the food and beverage industry at Kinsa. Building a network of executives and professionals through membership in the Women’s Foodservice Forum, Institute of Food Technologists, FaB Wisconsin, Chicagoland Food and Beverage Network, and maintaining professional expertise in recruiting as an Executive Board Member for the Recruiters Of Wisconsin association, Laurie is able to connect top talent in the food industry with food and beverage processors and foodservice providers growing their teams at the C-Suite, VP, Director, and Management level. Connect with Laurie today!

Determining how to get hired when you are unemployed may feel overwhelming. Some employers will only interview individuals who are currently working. Many automated systems screen out resumes that don’t list current experience. These are a few obstacles which can prevent you from scheduling interviews.

Here is what you can do to help you get hired when you are unemployed:

1. Highlight training, volunteer or contract work
2. Effectively address the length of your unemployment
3. Learn how to respond to ‘red flags’ on your resume

Highlighting Training, Volunteer, Contract Work

Employers may not rule you out for work for not having current experience if you explain what you have been doing since your last job. For example, on your resume, you can list:

• Additional training
• Skill mastery
• Volunteer work
• Freelance work
• Certifications earned
• Self-employment

To avoid being disqualified by automated resume screening tools, list contract work, consulting, freelancing, volunteerism, or anything else that you can list as current experience on your resume. Include any training or certification courses you have completed. Highlighting that you have been actively involved in learning a new skill demonstrates initiative.

Addressing The Length Of Unemployment

Not having current working experience will not have near the negative impact of lying or any misrepresentation. Highlight the positive aspects of the timeframe since you were employed, and divert the attention of the interviewer to your accomplishments.

There are many understandable reasons for not working including: company layoffs due to budget cuts, maternity leave, relocation, military, illness or caring for a family member. The less you say is often in your best interest. State the reason and move on. It is not necessary to share the details.

Responding To Resume Red Flags

There are circumstances that are out of your control that can impact your stability. Some of these include: company mergers, downsizing, companies going out of business, outdated skills, and new management teams. It is critical that you are comfortable when you are presenting your reasons for changing jobs.

If you are not forthcoming in sharing why your former employer eliminated your job, a future hiring authority may view this as a red flag. If you put a positive spin on your job changes, they can be perceived as a benefit. Stress the new skills you acquired, the variety of knowledge, the experience you now have, and your desire to make a long-term commitment to your next employer.

Find Your Ideal Position With Kinsa Group

We know that finding your ideal career opportunity in the food and beverage industry can be challenging.  Kinsa Group can help!  Here is what you can expect from our recruiting team when you chose to partner with us during your job search.

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