I have been reading about many attempts by cities and counties to decrease their unemployment rates that are hovering above 8%. Many of these ideas initially seem like they would make some form of difference, but looking at the big picture they have little to no effect and simply shift problems.
For example, Hinds County, Mississippi wants to push through a law about baggy pants with the claim that low hanging jeans seem unprofessional and are keeping youth from being hired. On the surface this seems logical, that a business wouldn’t want to hire someone that looks more at home in a gangland movie rather than in their office. If they truly need someone to fill a position they will fill it either way.
Another example is that many government agencies emphasize and spend tons of money on writing resumes and interview practice. Similar to the situation with of applicants choosing to dress poorly, available positions are GOING to be filled. Whether or not it’s by the most qualified person or simply by someone who has the best written resume or best interview skills does not create more jobs or make a different on the unemployment rate. One job filled is one job filled, no matter how qualified the applicant. And if the work demands additional workforce, more employees will be added.
As a hiring manager my main concern is that someone has the skill and desire to do the work required of the particular postion I am looking to fill. While I think it would be completely unorthodox for someone to come in wearing baggy and low riding pants and I would certainly take that into account during the process, I wouldn’t totally discount their resume because of it.
Basically if the candidate is a decent person, can write good code, and is willing to continue to learn on the job to make everyone on the team’s life better; I’ll hire them.
You’re right about these efforts missing the “big picture” if organizations think this will lower the unemployment rate. Long-term practices like this that improve the labor force are good – but the high unemployment of today wasn’t because millions of humans instantly became unskilled and poorly-dressed overnight.
So it’s short-run solutions that fix this type of unemployment problem. Long-run solutions are always a good idea and should be pursued, in times of high unemployment and times of low unemployment.