Ask HR: How do you explain gaps in employment?
We asked a panel of experts from SHRM-Atlanta (Society for Human Resource Management, Atlanta chapter) the following question:
“Q. How should a job applicant explain short-term job stints without appearing to be an unstable job seeker or job hopper?”
Here are the answers from the human resource experts. The overwhelming advice was to be honest, so don’t try to hide those gaps of unemployment just to make yourself a more attractive candidate on the surface.
Have you faced questions in job interviews about gaps in employment? How did you respond, and did you end up getting the job?
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2 comments Add your comment
Daniel 2017
January 22nd, 2010
2:32 pm
The reality is, in a 10% unemployment market, if your resume is anything less than 100% optimal, you are essentially unhireable. Even with a perfect record, you still have only a small chance of success.
My qualifications and skill set out strip by far, many many other applicants for the jobs I’ve been applying for, but I do not even get a phone call or email or …. nada. I can’t imagine any other reason than gaps/spottiness. Otherwise my record is *impeccable*. I’ve been looking for months now, and after countless submissions, hundreds of hours, NOT ONE SINGLE RESPONSE PERIOD.
I think a kid with 6 months assembling bicycles at a hobby shop could get a job assembling bicycles OVER An ASE-certified Auto Mechanic with 20 years at an auto dealership, just because the kid previously assembled bicycles and the ASE Mechanic didn’t.
Yolanda Price
September 8th, 2009
8:23 pm
Yes I have been questions about gaps and I responded by telling them my mother was ill and I have to return home. I am from Cleveland, Ohio, and if this is not a good answer then how should I have answered.