Comments on: Ask HR: How do you explain gaps in employment? http://blogs.ajc.com/hr-roundtable/2009/03/22/how-do-you-explain-gaps-in-employment/ Atlanta recruiting and human resources pros share insights on succeeding at work Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:19:45 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Daniel 2017 http://blogs.ajc.com/hr-roundtable/2009/03/22/how-do-you-explain-gaps-in-employment/comment-page-1/#comment-222 Daniel 2017 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:32:13 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/hr-roundtable/?p=166#comment-222 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. 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.

]]> By: Yolanda Price http://blogs.ajc.com/hr-roundtable/2009/03/22/how-do-you-explain-gaps-in-employment/comment-page-1/#comment-159 Yolanda Price Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:23:55 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/hr-roundtable/?p=166#comment-159 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. 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.

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