5 ms·
As a person who's reviewed a lot of resumes, I don't actively look for job gaps, so I probably wouldn't notice. I'm more interested in what technologies you us
by cbanek 7y ago
As a person who's reviewed a lot of resumes, I don't actively look for job gaps, so I probably wouldn't notice. I'm more interested in what technologies you use (role), and what you've done in the past (experience). As long as you are sharp and know your stuff, you'll do fine.
Even if it is a red flag to some, I strongly believe software interviewing is a numbers game, due to randomness and bad interview processes. And once you do get a job and get back in the workforce, if you don't like it, you can switch again. And you at least won't be in the middle of a current gap.
I'd just definitely have a a go-to answer when you interview, and medical is a totally fine answer there. I don't think any competent hiring manager would ask past that due to legal risk (although there's always someone who asks illegal questions at interviews anyway).
Best of luck!
- pcurve 7y agoYep. I've reviewed thousands of resumes but I never paid much attention to gaps. Gap of 1 year wouldn't even register in my brain.
- scandox 7y agoOh gaps are usually pretty interesting. I once dug into a big gap (3 years) and went down quite a rabbit-hole with a candidate that was in every other respect excellent. But the gap: Let's just say it was the worst thing you can imagine.
- pcurve 7y ago3 year gap would stick out for sure. I think it's also depends heavily on when the gap was, and what followed after.
- virtuexru 7y agoNow I'm intrigued but I'm assuming something like jail/prison. :D
- kubanczyk 7y agoNah, that's just the first thing you've imagined. I think: commander of concentration camp for disabled ponies and baby elephants.
- Polylactic_acid 7y agoThe worst thing I can imagine would hardly leave only a 3 year gap.
- rytill 7y agoPrison for almost killing their interviewer for asking about an employment gap.
- Trias11 7y agoSecond gap for killing and escaping the prison.
- muzani 7y agoDid they get the job, though?
- PascLeRasc 7y agoHe was installing Chrome over a modem connection.
- snovv_crash 7y agoI concur. I look for whether what you already know fits what we need and complements what we have. If there's a gap I might ask offhanded about what you were doing, but spending a year slumming in Cambodia is just as acceptable as taking time off to care of your invalid parents. What I care about is what you can offer, and if you'll be able to fulfill that potential.
- lainga 7y agoCan I bring up the converse question - who would actively look for job gaps? And why?
- cbanek 7y agoI'm sure there is probably someone who is worried about job gaps and actively looks for them, but I think in general I might notice a gap if I was trying to tally up someone's years of relevant experience on their resume.
- x0x0 7y agoI do, or at least would notice if eg your most recent job ended 12 months ago. Mostly because I'd be curious what you've been doing. Saying sabbatical and/or medical issues would be the end of the questions.
- Gustomaximus 7y agoI usually look for time patterns in CVs. Gaps could be part of that. If someone turns over many jobs quickly I don't want to pay to bring someone up to speed only to see them leave when they should hit their stride. Or a month or 2 gap after every job can indicate they are getting the boot as most people swap one job for another. But one gap for a year, not many would really care I suspect as long as there is a reasonable rationale if they do ask. If someone had many long gaps then if might flag there is something going on and you'd dig around.
- another-dave 7y ago> Or a month or 2 gap after every job can indicate they are getting the boot as most people swap one job for another. Or it's a chance to take a stress-free break after finishing up one job as you've already another lined up.
- Gustomaximus 7y agoPossible. I try to do that myself every change but typically I find/see companies wants you ASAP (especially if you have a decent notice period already) and is flexible with a week or few, not a month or few unless executive level.