Nobody wants to hire unemployed people. Frankly, we’re all just a little suspicious of them. And, if we’re honest, poaching talent from another company works wonders for your ego.

However, thanks to the financial crisis, we are currently facing the tricky situation where secure positions are scarce and nobody wants to risk moving companies.

Meanwhile, unemployment is at a premium - why are we ignoring the talent that is actually available to us?

The sad thing is that unemployed individuals often have a lot to offer. By hiring them you can save money and gain a loyal, skilled employee.

To begin with, an unemployed candidate can start work sooner, rather than having to work out a lengthy notice period. This will help keep the cost of recruitment low.

Additionally, victims of cut backs and redundancies will be keen to get back behind a desk. Their enthusiasm for work increases productivity and has a positive impact on others in your business.

Despite this, many business owners are unable to get past resounding clichés. After all, if they’re that great they would still have a job, right? Wrong.

References exist for a reason. If somebody is in employment, you’re unable to check their references without jeopardising their existing position. By the time you receive feedback from past employers, you could already saddled with somebody undesirable or wrong for the role.

If somebody is out of work, you can freely check their references without hesitation. More often than not, you’ll find that their joblessness was caused by a bad company situation rather than a personal failing.

Regardless of the circumstances, however, there’s still widespread reluctance to hire somebody who is between jobs for fear of a deteriorating skill set. And this may well be the case for some people in certain industries. But it’s worth considering that people in a fast-paced sector understand the need to keep their skills relevant and fresh.

Before ruling out a worker, consider what they’ve been up to while between jobs. Any efforts to improve knowledge and employability indicate a strong work ethic, too.

By Natasha Sabin from Tirebuck Recruitment