Okay you're an employer hiring someone.

They both have about equal qualifications and experience.

One has been unemployed for 2 years and has lived off unemployment.

The other took a job that many would consider beneath his education and experience but it helped support his family more.

Person A had access to the same job that person B took.

Who would you hire?

I say person B everyday and twice on Tuesday but some people say number 1.

I think it depends on a lot more than the job beneath one's education and experience.

If that job did nothing to further their education and training for the position I have open, that job is irrelevant to me. What you do with your personal assets is of little concern to me.

This sort of call would be made on personality, my ability to work with the person. Just because person B took the job doesn't mean he isn't a complete douche bag.

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How can actions that are wrong lead to a greater good? - Jean-Luc Picard (Star Trek)

Person A could have been looking for a job for those two years, and chose to pass on the first job offer thinking there may be something better out there for his or her family. In some places it really is that tough out there. Person A could have went back to school in those last two years to earn a certification or an Associates degree to improve their future job prospects. Or perhaps, Person A really was lazy as the OP may be implying. What if Person B's job was in an irrelevant field?

Honestly, I don't know. I would have to look at more than who was on unemployment for how long, it's a bit more complicated than that. Having a steady job though, by default, usually means you're better equipped to ready yourself into a new workplace as opposed to someone who hasn't work for an extended period.

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"Bush tortured people, Obama just kills them."
---Noam Chomsky

Also, what Dabateman said, that's why we have interviews.

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"Bush tortured people, Obama just kills them."
---Noam Chomsky

Assuming that I'm not allowed to have them fight with swords on Pay-Per-View for the job, I'd take the one with the highest qualifications. The one that worked at a low paying job would have extra considerations, since a work ethic is a qualification.

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“Quod scripsi, scripsi"

"Sometimes, the source of the beautiful dawning light that drives back the darkness, is your house burning"

Neither situation would have any impact on my decision.

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You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves. ~ Abraham Lincoln

Gypsy Soul Memories
Scuba Diver Life
Success Freaks

I would pick the one I think can improve my business. Simple as that.

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"I swear- by my life and my love of it- that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine"- Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the democrats believe every day is April 15. ~ Ronald Reagan

Same...I wouldn't pick one based solely on the options given...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

Yep, need more information........

I say screw 'em both and hire the young blonde with nice legs..........

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And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.

John F. Kennedy January 20th 1960