I’m sorry- I know the intent is good!

There are ALOT of people looking for jobs right now, “laid off”, “unemployed”, whatever you want to call it. Our favorite professional platform has given us a nice way to let everyone know that we’re “open to work” and unfortunately, I am just seeing so many green banners flood my Linkedin feed these days.

So here’s the thing. While the original intent of the green banner was great (initiated during COVID to help people identify those looking for work during a very unusual time), it’s losing it’s value for me.

We are living in a time of incredibly high job seeker supply, and low job demand. What that means is that employers have the upper hand in the market. It also means that there are soooo many more job seekers than available jobs. When this happens, recruiters don’t have to actively “source” the web for talent because the “talent” have all actively applied to their posting. It takes much more time for any recruiter to source/head hunt for people than to breeze through a database of warm resumes (all people who WANT the job).

So here is the moral of the story. Your green banner is NOT doing you any favors right now from a search perspective. It’s just a trendy green banner on your picture- IN FACT- it might be hurting your chances, and heres why:

There is still an unfortunate stigma attached to those who are unemployed no matter the reason (laid off, fired, or just taking a break). Especially guilty of this are your traditional executives or managers who assume that if you’re not employed, you might be less employable. Even victims of involuntary layoffs are viewed as the “low performers”…not fair, but true!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to fight a leader to disregard a gap on someone’s resume or consider them despite being terminated from another company. Its a classic stigma, and your banner could be unfairly categorizing you into this bucket.

I know, I know- everyone knows how bad the market is right?! Lots of great people have been impacted right?! Doesn’t mean you’re not great for the job!…. WRONG! THEY don’t know that. AND, in the event that a recruiter or hiring manager is actively browsing for people on LI (which is the intent of the banner)…they may still be operating under this mentality and completely pass over you if you’re broadcasting your status with a banner (vs. explaining your employment situation in a conversation).

If you’re looking for a job right now, what you want is a foot in the door (a LI message, a phone call or even a resume review). From there you can professionally explain your situation and overcome any biases with a discussion on your skills. Don’t let your banner define you potential!

~Looking out for you!

-Jaylene

PS- if you’re looking for more remote work options or want to get started in a completely remote lifestyle of digital marketing, check out my resources at stan.store/Jayleneziehm and my linktr.ee/Jayleneziehm to get started!