As you review candidates for a position, you’ll probably come across a few with employment gaps. Consider the fact that in this economy, particularly since the recession, a number of qualified candidates may well have gaps in their work histories. It’s important to gain a thorough understanding of the reason for any gap before coming to a final hiring decision.
- Ask the right questions. Keep it simple to start: Ask the candidate directly about the employment gap and listen carefully to the answer. You can also consider asking additional questions such as:
Would you have chosen to leave on your own?
What letters of recommendation do you have?
- Mind the gaps. You definitely want to keep your eye out for long employment gaps (say, anything over a year) and ask probing questions to understand the reason for these periods of time. You also want to look for numerous short work stints, as this could be the sign of a job hopper, or it may just indicate periods of temporary assignments. And while it’s not necessarily a red flag, you may want to ask questions about employment if a candidate only lists years of employment, rather than months. Again, the candidate may have a perfectly legitimate explanation, but watch how quickly and clearly they respond.
- Consider the response carefully. The candidate may have taken time off to volunteer, help a sick family member, or raise a family. Has any of that given them skills that could help on the job? Have they managed to keep up with trends in the industry while away from the formal workplace? Time away from the workplace may enhance a person’s sense of who they are and what they wants to focus on.
Consider employment gaps as thoroughly as possible by asking questions and listening carefully to the answers. For help hiring top medical talent, reach out to the experienced recruiting team at Medical Professionals today!
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