Unemployed for over 800 days: Why you may be overlooked for jobs

800 days without a full-time job. One man’s story pulls back the curtain on hiring bias, grief, and grit.

In this deeply personal and powerful episode of Control Your Career, host Julia Toothacre speaks with Francis "Tank" Rhodes about the realities of long-term unemployment, especially post-pandemic, and despite having years of experience in HR and operations. Together, they discuss the importance of empathy, transparency, and community support in recruitment. The episode offers practical advice for job seekers and urges hiring professionals to recognize candidates’ diverse experiences and foster more inclusive hiring practices.

We also unpack:

• The emotional toll of being unemployed long-term

• The damaging assumptions hiring managers make about resume gaps

• What “code switching” really means (and why Tank refuses to do it)

• HR’s own inclusion problem and why it can’t lead DEI initiatives

• How hiring bias shows up, even when candidates do everything “right”

• The importance of showing up as human first, manager second

If you’re in HR, recruiting, or a hiring role, this is a conversation you need to hear.

And if you’re a job seeker struggling to feel seen or supported, Tank’s honesty will remind you that you’re not alone and you’re not broken.

Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/

Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ 

Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/07/16/season11episode10/

Learn more about the Career Advancement Intensive: https://ridethetidecollective.com/coaching/intensive/