So they say it's easier to get a job when you have one, which is generally true, but the problem is you barely have time depending on what your current job and schedule is. So for example if you work an 8-5 office job and you're looking to work at another one, the chances are the employer will expect you to come in for an onsite interview during work hours.
A few months ago, my friend referred me to his new job at this insurance company downtown Chicago that pays pretty well. I had the experience needed plus my friend referring me helped. So I had the phone interview and they liked me enough to bring me in for an onsite interview. I told them I was available Mondays and Fridays, since it's just me and 2 others in the office (not including my boss). They instead scheduled me at 12 PM on a Wednesday. If this was a block or 2 away, that'd be fine but I had them push it to 12:15 as I had to the CTA train one stop and walk 10 minutes. I even had to sneak out 10 minutes early to make it on time. So the first interviewer shows up 10 minutes late, he seemed to like me. Then the 2nd interviewer shows up 10 minutes late and goes over the pay structure. The interview was ending at 12:55 PM-1ish which is when my break ended. And then the 2nd interviewer was giving me a tour of the office and I told him I had to get back to work and then said thanks for the interview, when should I hear back. He said within 48 hours at the latest. I then had to get a Lyft back because I was running late and because it was by lower wacker drive (which is very confusing for anyone driving in Chicago, especially Lyft/Uber drivers), the driver got circled around for 10 minutes straight so I fucking bolted to the red line stop and got back in my office at 1:25. Fortunately nobody wondered where I was or got suspicious, let alone my boss. I was so anxious about getting fired.
2 days later, I don't get any call or email so I send a follow up to the recruiter. And then the following week I get an email saying they went with someone who was more qualified. And my friend who works here said they hired a guy who was already licensed to sell health insurance and had experience. It was a bummer but oh well, that makes sense. Then a week later, my friend said the real reason they didn't hire me is because I was “rushed”. And it's like are you fucking kidding me? The only reason I was rushed was because I had to get back at my work. An interview isn't a guarantee of employment or a job offer and had I lost my current job for showing up late while not getting this one, then I would have been really fucked. So in other words, I got fired for having respect for my current employer.
Oh and on the flip side of that, when you're unemployed at work, you have all the time to look for jobs and interview, yet employers will reject you strictly because you're unemployed.