Why are gaps a problem? "Any of their business?"
Someone recently asked me, "Can you maybe explain why gaps are a problem for employers or any of their business? I don't really understand this issue. If I want to not work for a while, why is this something I need to explain to anyone? Are we considered runaway slaves who have to explain our whereabouts? I had always thought that my time and private life was my time and never thought or expected I would have to explain my private business to someone who has and won't have any real connection to me other than they are looking for me or at least someone to help them out with some work. Do our employers become our slave masters or are they just hiring us to do a job? I'm a little confused. Can you explain the issue further? Thank you."
I couldn't answer directly (because of how our comments section works right now), but thought it was a terrific set of questions & points, so here it goes...
Slave master?? Absolutely not. Period.
I'd argue the exact opposite: The person who is interviewing you wants to understand who you are and how you think - they also need to determine if you'll be a good fit for the job, company, team, etc. The only way to make that decision is by listening to you. Each question (hopefully!) is assessing your fit. Your reason for moving from a job to ANYTHING ELSE (another job, city, no-job) tells us something about you: what you value, how you see the world, how you interact with people... all important stuff...
When talking to someone who wants to hire you, you should be prepared to explain why you've made decisions... in the no-job example, even if you say, "I had a personal issue that required my full attention," you should follow up by explaining how you took care of the transition before you left, made yourself available afterwards (if possible), and that you left in a respectful way - the person will use that to decide what to do next.
No, nobody owns you. They want you to be a valuable member of the team. Help them understand.
I can see how this is a significant question to ask an applicant your considering for a job opening. I think there's a big misconception around what's considered business and personal. My experience is that they overlap. Physical, emotional, and mental experiences that affect my personal life (negative or positive) carry into my business life and vice versa. No way getting around that and I think hiring managers, as humans, understand that. I wouldn't be overprotective or offended by the question or even feel like I need to be specific. But I would have an answer prepared to account for the time off.. my opinion!
We may not be slaves but I do agree with the sentiment that delving into personal areas us intrusive and extremely subjective. "Fit" is supposed to be primarily the ability to perform the job and act in a professional manner, not whether you have the sabe hobbies or what responsibilities you have outside uf work. I think if you've been wirking fur many years there are twists and turns in life and career choices are a bit if a balancing act . "Fit" unfortunately has become so broadly defined it intrudes in privacy and civil rights that protect health and family matters and cab be one a work- around more direct and federally prohibited questions about marital status, etc . in short I don't agree with dismissing these concerns
This is AWESOME stuff, Marijoy! Thank you so much for sharing with the community!
I guess only the company doing the interview can explain why they ask applicants to explain gaps in their work history. All the applicant can really do is speculate. I have conducted interviews before and asked it. My main reason was that some applicants had lots of job changes or short stints on previous jobs. That made me suspect they wouldn't stay long if hired. Knowing the reasons for their gaps gave me insight as to their stability as an employee.
Other reasons I think potential employers ask it is to find out what a person might have been doing. Is the gap because they were incarcerated? Hospitalized? Are there personal issues which might affect their attendance? How were they supporting themselves during the gap? etc Depending on the job being applied for, something in technology or medicine for example, there might have been significant changes in the field which someone who hasn't worked for awhile wouldn't be up to date on. I find the question a nuisance personally but it can be a valid question necessary to ask. I consider it just another part of the application and interview process. It's not the only determining factor used to make a hiring decision. I consider it just another of the aspects I have to do my best on to get hired for a job.