OMG! They Have a Gap!

Ever rejected a job seeker who had an imperfect employment history?

I submit into the record that passing on a candidate who has time gaps or spaces between jobs simply because their work history doesn't have the faux "perfect" 2-week max and no more from one prior employer to the next, especially without giving them a fair look or consideration, is 'gap discrimination'. This is even more egregious if the candidate meets all or most of the required criteria for the role, and selection is still open.

For decades we have pushed, pulled, and protected the well-known labor law practices and regulations in the area of discrimination. We have evolved and thankfully continue to evolve and strive for fairness and equality in the classic discrimination areas such as race, gender, age, disability, and others. Yet the cries and frustrations continue to grow louder and louder around the subject of employment gaps and career transitions. Why do we reject qualified people before giving them a fair look? Why are we so biased and predisposed to shun and negatively judge candidates who have "too much", "threatening", or "nonstandard" time between jobs?

For many job seekers and employers around the world, the COVID pandemic was a sea change and paradigm shift in the recognition and awareness of community, family, and personal health and how it impacts work. Though it was far from the first of its kind to bring most of the working world to a screeching halt, it was the first time tens of thousands of employers started recognizing that LIFE HAPPENS even to job seekers.

Do we need rotating pandemics or global catastrophes to remind us that life happens to us all? Don't corporations and organizations go through ups and downs or allow for bounce backs after off years? Does the stock market not rise and fall day to day, week to week, year to year, and decade to decade? Why are we so forgiving to accept, allow, and grant second, third, and 500th chances to organizations who suffer loss or go through transitions, but crucify job seekers for riding the waves of life.

Empathetic, aware, and grounded employers value and honor their people. They recognize that their employees nor life are perfect. They understand that they have families, challenges, loss, struggles, ups and downs. They grasp that humans sometimes change their minds, adapt, grow, tweak and alter their career paths along the way for reasons in and out of their control. Employers and leaders who get it recognize that almost all job seekers and candidates will at some point in their careers, have explainable gaps and space between prior employers. The difference between them and other skittish employers is

As an experienced recruiter, I have heard thousands of career backgrounds and accomplishments. I have met thousands of remarkable and impressive job seekers. Even more impressive and humbling are the lessons these people have taught me about humanity. I have been in a 13-year masterclass about the human condition. Job seekers are the reason I changed my wording of work-life balance to LIFE-work balance. Job screenings and interviews a safe and sacred. There is a massive trust and level of vulnerability in that space. The stories candidates share with me are gripping, touching, sad, incredible, shocking, infuriating, unbelievable, upsetting and exciting. Every conversation is an opportunity, a lesson, and and a reminder to approach my work seriously and compassionately.

Life and careers are both journeys with stops, twists, turns, reverses, spins, and even accidents along the way. As a responsible employer you reserve all rights to practice every ounce of professional due diligence at your discretion in your screen and selection process. The ability for candidates to demonstrate stability, dedication, and commitment is no small thing. Just remember those wonderful employees on your team and their imperfect stories and journeys that you wouldn't trade for anyone. Remember your own story, journey, and path as you screen through candidates who come your way. Every vacancy is an opportunity.