Aaron H.’s Post

Recently I was asked… Why was there a gap between March 2020 to May 2020 Another asked Why was there a gap between between August 2014 to December 2014. Uh, that was 10 years ago.

“We have a great culture” ☠️☠️☠️

Here's an idea from left field: don't ask candidates about gaps ever. The answer doesn't matter. They're not predictive of job performance or retention. Recruiters and hiring managers are not mind readers, so aren't qualified to assess whether the candidate's answer says anything about how they'll be as an employee. Instead (bizarre recommendation coming), ONLY ask questions that predict performance in the job. Nothing else matters.

Love! Never ask about a gap. It could be very personal and turn a phone screen/interview awkward. Not to sound rude, but it’s no one’s business. People don’t not work because they slack. There’s a reason (multiple reasons…layoff, SAH mother/father, caring for an ill relative, injury, need time off for mental health, etc) and life happens. Never overlook a qualified candidate b/c of gaps OR “job hopping”. Every resume has a person and story behind that resume. Have the conversation. You won’t regret it.

There is not even such a thing like gaps in resume! There might be simply breaks between one and another job but it is not of any company interest what you were doing in that time. It is simply intrusive to even ask. People are not obligated to work all the time without any sabbaticals, breaks etc. We are not slaves and it is perfectly fine to prioritize your personal goals at time. If people can economically afford not to work for some period it is really nobody’s business what they were doing back then. The company should only worry if they have the necessary skills and attitude to perform the job. Period.

If the hiring process is effective and 1-2 weeks? Is it then ok, to ask?

This is brilliant! I don’t see the value in this question anyway. Who cares. Maybe they just wanted some time away, maybe they had an illness, maybe they had a bad employer and needed a metal health break. In my case I had a 3 months gap in my resume. I quit my job because I was being mistreated by the owner of the facility I was working for. When I was asked about it in an interview I instantly became uncomfortable. I had left the job for my mental and physical health. They outright asked why I needed time away from working. Then told me I wouldn’t be a good fit immediately after explaining it had been a bad working environment and I needed some time to remember why I loved the field I was in. Then Covid hit, I was pregnant and scared and took two years away from that role. It was the healthiest thing I ever did. I was able to see the job and how miserable I truly was. So I changed careers. And I’m much happier for it. Perhaps I should have taken more time before now.

All gaps are not created equal. If the candidate used the time to volunteer, travel, start a side hustle, etc. that's different than "I looked at job postings and answered some of them, watched Netflix, hung out" kind of answers. Employers don't care if their hiring takes months, in their eyes you should be using that time to be productive.

Or 2-3 months. Someone I helped at my former company told me that the huge company that delivers right to your door, haha, is now in the final rounds after 2.5 months. My response, run.

BOOM, roasted! 👏