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Valid dodging answers include: - I took a sabbatical - I did private/contract work for a while - I took a working holiday - I spent some time renovatin
by nikatwork 13y ago
Valid dodging answers include:
- I took a sabbatical
- I did private/contract work for a while
- I took a working holiday
- I spent some time renovating my house
- I took some time off to look after a sick relative
Take the Jesuit line that if there is a kernel of truth in the statement (eg you fixed your gutters one time while unemployed) then you're not actually lying.
Really, this HR obsession with "zomg a gap in employment history" is pointlessly stupid and deserves to be gamed.
- mcv 13y agoAbsolutely. It doesn't matter much what your reason for the gap is, as long as you make it sound like something you were in control of. Something that you chose, based on your own life priorities. Don't sound like a victim.
- tieTYT 13y agoActually I was asking about what you do when they ask how much you were PAID at your last/current job, not what to say when they ask why there's a GAP in your history. What do you say to that?
- nikatwork 13y agoAh, yes that's a tougher question. It's a red flag to me, but sometimes beggars can't be choosers. Here are some tested dodges: - "I don't think it's appropriate to discuss that" (be firm) - "I signed a non-disclosure agreement and I'm legally obliged to keep my renumeration details confidential" (needs confidence to work) I've caved once to this question when I really wanted the position. Luckily I told the truth because they demanded to see a payslip before I started. But if they play hardball like that in the interview, you can expect the same treatment throughout the company - don't kid yourself that things will change once you're employed.