Employers prefer to hire people who are already employed. It's not that HR departments are biased against people out of work, although t...
Being unemployed, especially for a long time, sends a negative signal about your work ethic and employability. If you find yourself out of work, try to minimize gaps in your resume and keep in touch with your professional network.
What unemployment says about you
One of the reasons why it may be easier to find a job when you are already employed is that you are not very eager to get a new position. Zeal is an obvious clue when looking for a job and can be a barrier to some employers. Rightly or wrongly, employers assume that people don't leave a job without another one up their sleeve unless they are about to be fired, have actually been fired and are just saying they are leaving, or are potentially someone who is leaving when things get frustrating, which It's worrying, because of course, in any job, there will be frustrations at some point.
Having a job also gives you a greater advantage. You're in a better bargaining position if you don't need the job they're offering you. Employers know this all too well.
Work is also a network
In fact, when you have a job, you have certain advantages, whether you are looking for a new one or not. One of the important things is your professional network. When you work, your professional network works for you because you are constantly in contact with people in the industry. When you are not employed, you lose this advantage.
Confidential
Looking for a job once you have one comes with some risks. Your current employer may hear about you looking for a job and consider it disloyal or even misconduct. It's a good idea to discuss your dissatisfaction with your current boss before looking for work elsewhere. Your company may have options such as moving or changing departments. If those options don't exist, it's really time to look further.
What to do with references
It's best not to tell your boss that you're looking for a job. Your supervisor may perceive your willingness to leave as a betrayal. Related to this is the difficult problem of references. When interviewing for a new job, always ask if your current employer can be contacted. Assuming the answer is a firm no, you'll still need references. Ask for references from previous employers and colleagues, or a supervisor who recently left your company. If you must, choose someone you trust from your own company.
