With almost 45% of today’s out-of-work individuals considered long-term unemployed, keeping skills fresh while looking for the next opportunity is becoming increasingly important.  As this article suggests, there are certain jobs which lend themselves to seeing skill sets becoming stale over time, such as technology jobs where things are changing rapidly. 

You may be one of those employers that has been a little more forgiving when it comes to longer breaks in employment but what we are seeing is that most employers are not bending on knowing that a job seeker has been actively engaged in not only keeping skills fresh, but in learning new skills.  Hiring Managers will definitely look more favorably on individuals who have remained active in honing their skills during a job search regardless of their profession. 

Competition for available jobs is stiff out there these days and an employer can help their exiting employees stay active in continuing their education by providing materials directing them where to go for continuing education, guiding them toward additional educational opportunities to advance their skills and suggesting projects or activities that will help better highlight their skill sets so that when job opportunities come knocking they are prepared to put their best foot forward. 

Specifics will of course be determined by the individuals being laid off, but as a general example, if a web designer gets laid off, you may suggest that they create their own web page to keep their skills fresh and showcase their abilities.  Another great recommendation is to do volunteer work, which is a free way to learn new skills and can also lead to job opportunities.  I’ve seen examples of people leaving a professional position, doing volunteer work to keep busy and finding a whole new career direction for themselves which winds up being much more fulfilling that they one they just left.

Providing direction to exiting employees can help them get a new job faster which in turn helps you as an employer keep your unemployment costs under control.  Definitely a win-win situation for both the employer and the employee, so start building reemployment strategies into your off-boarding processes today.

Tammy Mullin