After several years working in HR, I've now found myself on the other side of the table with a gap in my resume. To keep things afloat, I've been driving for a rideshare service while I explore my next career steps. Interestingly, I've noticed that being upfront about my situation has been beneficial. In my previous role, I always advised candidates to be honest about their gaps, and now I’m experiencing the truth of that advice firsthand. Just last week, during a phone screen, the hiring manager expressed appreciation for my honesty about being between roles and actively keeping my skills sharp. I've always felt for candidates who tried to overcomplicate their explanations for employment gaps, often stretching dates or creating elaborate stories about freelance work that wasn't substantial. From my perspective as a recruiter, these tactics often backfire, making the gap seem more significant rather than less. Given the current job market, I sense that gaps are becoming less stigmatized compared to a couple of years ago. Of course, this might vary by industry, but I feel like there's been a shift in how hiring managers perceive these situations. I'm curious to hear if others are experiencing similar changes in their job searches or if it really does depend on the specific industry and the individual screening the candidates.
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