As a staffing industry professional, hearing the words, “I’m making more money on unemployment” from my candidates is extremely frustrating. I’m sure many of my colleagues, particularly temporary recruiters, would agree with me. As recruiters, we want nothing more than to keep people working and networking. We have done our job well when our candidates are set up to go to work the next day. We are fulfilled when we can keep our candidates employed, busy, learning new things and meeting new people.
Unemployment provides safety for those who have been taken out of a secure world and placed into a very unsecure, scary situation. It provides time to find work and income to those who have none. It provides temporary security and momentary assistance. It is a type of “insurance” for each and every person to be able to maintain an income when work is difficult to find and when the recession is still looming.
This is where it gets tricky- while recruiters are thankful for the stability unemployment provides our candidates, we also want to work with eager candidates. We want to represent those individuals who are motivated, flexible and ready to work! As a recruiter, I become extremely excited when a great opportunity comes in and I can present it to my unemployed pool of very talented people! I will provide a detailed example:
I call my candidate, ring ring, “Hi Jane, guess what? I just got in a 5 week position – it’s got your name written all over it! Great hours, good pay, nice group of people, solid company. What do you think?”
My candidate responds, “Hi Jaimee, thank you for thinking of me, but I am making more money on unemployment. It wouldn’t be worth it for me.”
At this point, I go into counselor mode. I inquire about the weekly net dollars that the individual is earning on unemployment. I take that number, and to be modest, divide it by 35 hours/week. Nine times out of ten, the hourly rate this person is earning on unemployment is significantly less than the hourly rate I have offered. Not to mention, my candidate could be passing up unlimited networking possibilities that come from being in the workplace!
The picture begins to look a little different, right? Why wouldn’t you choose to earn $20/hour while meeting new people, learning new things, and filling that growing gap on your resume over earning $11/hour just waiting for the perfect permanent opportunity to arise?
Ah ha! My frustration as a recruiter has been revealed- but unfortunately not everyone understands the benefits of accepting a temporary or contract job. When you are finished reading through this blog, please read my fellow co-workers blog, titled To Temp or Not to Temp? That is the question! Stacie Renna, Staffing Coordinator, clearly explains it all!
Now please, let us do the job we love so much and allow us to keep you working =)
Jaimee Cascione
Staffing Coordinator- Temporary Division, Office Support
