It is commonly known that it is always easier to get a job, when you have a job. So, I don't think this is anything new. There is some kind of stigma attacthed to people who are out of work because it is always thought that there must be a REASON the person is out of work. Even in a "down sizing", the though is "Why did HE/SHE get the boot? "
I can see this from both perspectives. I KNOW that good people do not usually stay out of work long. A few weeks ago, I just hired one of the best Mechanics I have had the pleasure of working with. The day he came in looking for a job, he had been out of work about two days. Good people are not going to sit around collecting unemployment until the benefits run out. Good people will be recognized as such by someone and snatched up before their competitors get him/her. Good people will recognize what the bring to the table and will seek out that match who values and rewards good people. Even in a down economy, employers NEED good people who help to keep them competitive and efficient. If you are that kind of employee, I promise you, you will not be out of work long.
Now, for a company to run an ad essentially saying the "out of work" need not apply.....that's either DUMB or a clever way of discriminating. I believe the thought process behind that is that Black people are often thought of as being chronically unemployed and therefore many can be eliminated by this rediculous requirement.