Employment gaps shouldn't matter should they?

74jax

Andrea_jardin said:

We work to live, not live to work, so why are employers so bothered about gaps?!
If someone wants a take a couple of years to have a baby, travel the world or learn about art, it's not really the employer's business.

I've handed my notice in, no job to go to and will have the 'unexplained gap' you mention.
It doesn't bother me in the slightest, however, as someone who conducts cifting and interviews I'll make damn sure it's explained in every job application and the advantages of the career break to each individual application. Yeah, they don't need to know, but if I want the job I understand I need it to appeal to them.
I still don't know how long I'll not be working, so no idea yet on the length I'll be explaining to people. 

AW618

74jax said:

Andrea_jardin said:

We work to live, not live to work, so why are employers so bothered about gaps?!
If someone wants a take a couple of years to have a baby, travel the world or learn about art, it's not really the employer's business.

I've handed my notice in, no job to go to and will have the 'unexplained gap' you mention.
It doesn't bother me in the slightest, however, as someone who conducts cifting and interviews I'll make damn sure it's explained in every job application and the advantages of the career break to each individual application. Yeah, they don't need to know, but if I want the job I understand I need it to appeal to them.
I still don't know how long I'll not be working, so no idea yet on the length I'll be explaining to people. 

I am possibly being pedantic, but if you make damn sure it is explained then it is not an unexplained gap.

The whole problem with an unexplained gap is that the employer will assume that the reason you have chosen to say nothing is because the truth is worse than saying nothing.  And that will be a correct assumption often enough to make it the most practical way for them to proceed.

In your case I don't imagine it will be much of a problem at the moment, but if you do not get another job for a year while looking for one (which hopefully won't happen) then employers will start asking why other people have not wanted to employ you.  It's unfortunately a bit of a vicious circle in that regard.  I think  I would rather go to an employer and say I have been travelling for a year that say I have been looking for a job for a year and failed to get one.

Doshwaster

If you do use the "I've been travelling" excuse then just be prepared for lots of questions about where you went and what you did. 

74jax

AW618 said:

74jax said:

Andrea_jardin said:

We work to live, not live to work, so why are employers so bothered about gaps?!
If someone wants a take a couple of years to have a baby, travel the world or learn about art, it's not really the employer's business.

I've handed my notice in, no job to go to and will have the 'unexplained gap' you mention.
It doesn't bother me in the slightest, however, as someone who conducts cifting and interviews I'll make damn sure it's explained in every job application and the advantages of the career break to each individual application. Yeah, they don't need to know, but if I want the job I understand I need it to appeal to them.
I still don't know how long I'll not be working, so no idea yet on the length I'll be explaining to people. 

I am possibly being pedantic, but if you make damn sure it is explained then it is not an unexplained gap.

The whole problem with an unexplained gap is that the employer will assume that the reason you have chosen to say nothing is because the truth is worse than saying nothing.  And that will be a correct assumption often enough to make it the most practical way for them to proceed.

In your case I don't imagine it will be much of a problem at the moment, but if you do not get another job for a year while looking for one (which hopefully won't happen) then employers will start asking why other people have not wanted to employ you.  It's unfortunately a bit of a vicious circle in that regard.  I think  I would rather go to an employer and say I have been travelling for a year that say I have been looking for a job for a year and failed to get one.

You are completely right to point it out.  I meant I 'could' have the unexplained gap, but understand it would be much better to explain it away.
I don't know when I'll start looking for another job.... I think I'm secretly hoping I just never do.  In conversation the other day I said 'when I retire.......' and hubby just laughed saying 'oh you're retiring now are you' but it was purely because I was reading an article about it at the time......
Maybe a year out then look, but I really don't know. 

Andrea_jardin

AW618 said:

I think I would rather go to an employer and say I have been travelling for a year that say I have been looking for a job for a year and failed to get one.

I am inclined to agree, especially as travelling can really improve mental health.

[Deleted User]

Doshwaster said:

If you do use the "I've been travelling" excuse then just be prepared for lots of questions about where you went and what you did. 

...and have proof of travel, such as of purchased tickets,accommodation and itinerary - with dates.

Doshwaster

amazonian17 said:

Doshwaster said:

If you do use the "I've been travelling" excuse then just be prepared for lots of questions about where you went and what you did. 

...and have  proof of travel, such as of purchased tickets,accommodation and itinerary - with dates.

Or some Photoshopped pictures of you in front of famous landmarks!
I can't imagine many employers wanting to see tickets or other such proof but if you said you were teaching English in China or saving the rhinos in Africa then you would expect to be asked about it just as you would any previous job.

Andrea_jardin

amazonian17 said:

Doshwaster said:

If you do use the "I've been travelling" excuse then just be prepared for lots of questions about where you went and what you did. 

...and have proof of travel, such as of purchased tickets,accommodation and itinerary - with dates.

it sounds like what the Australian Border Force demand just to be allowed to enter the country!

TELLIT01

amazonian17 said:

Doshwaster said:

If you do use the "I've been travelling" excuse then just be prepared for lots of questions about where you went and what you did. 

...and have proof of travel, such as of purchased tickets,accommodation and itinerary - with dates.

Unlikely.  If they have doubts about the honesty of the supposed travel they simply won't employ them. 

AW618

I would just like to point out that saying I would rather go to an employer and say I had been travelling than looking for a job unsuccessfully doesn't in any way imply that one should  make up a story about travelling.  It just means that I would feel happier if that were the situation.  Not least because if you invented a story and the person interviewing was someone you would  be working with you would have to keep up the pretence throughout your working time there, with everyone, and I don't fancy anyone's chances of doing that.