It is all too common to be asked about your employment background during a job interview, as expected. How much of it is actually relevant to the application process, and how much of it is bias taking place before the job offer is presented?

Life happens. We shouldn’t be afraid to live out of fear that it will impact professional circumstances in the future. Covid-19 brought about hardships for many, but it also created The Great Resignation. Job seekers had a chance to use that opportunity to reflect on what they would no longer tolerate in the workplace.

That time off gave so many people a chance to really find themselves. Even those that began to work remotely had a chance to start hobbies or goals that were otherwise put off in the past. Who says you have to look for a replacement if you have the funds and fulfillment to enjoy life.

I get it.

An employer is concerned that this makes potential job candidates a flight risk. Maybe? That same employer also only offers only two weeks off per year. Now, that’s something to reflect upon. 52 weeks in a year, and it is standard practice to only get two, TWO, off.

No amount of free food/snacks, company swag, or irrelevant holidays compare to being able to choose when you want to take some time for mental wellness. In addition, most jobs have policies in place that force you to work more hours if you want to take additional days off.

I should not be limited to one long vacation per year if I do my job well and continue to bring value. This is how you lose employees. Those same employees that merely wanted an extra week for relaxation; those same employees that should not have to choose to use vacation time when, again, life happens. Now your real vacation is in jeopardy by taking paid time off (PTO).

Outside of that, other things do come up. If it’s medical-related, then employers tend to be sympathetic in the beginning, but if it becomes more than three days then managers start wanting invasive answers.

Maybe it’s a serious medical condition, or perhaps you’re taking care of a loved one. It could possibly be you have nightmarish cramps, or you have bunions growing the size of golf balls that need to be removed. Did your bias change while reading that?

So do employers.

Human Resources choose what is important to them. Because they are still people. They decide if they have empathy for your days off based on if it is someone suffering a miscarriage versus a “foot problem.” I mean, you work from home, can’t you just grab some foot cream and a bandage?

No one should have to share information about themselves that is this personal when it comes to looking for the next job, and at the current job it should only be with HR, and on a need-to-know basis.

It should be okay to put something as simple as “gap year” on your resume when submitting job applications when any amount of time was taken off, and you should be able to say “no” during an interview if asked, “can you tell me more about that gap on your resume?”

Sure, if there are several gaps that are consistent then this will raise red flags. Not fair because maybe there are longer-term things going on, but unfortunately, that will happen. I’d be equivalent to dating and someone saying they’ve had one partner versus ten in a five-year span.

The biggest problem with having to explain these gaps is discrimination. As alluded above, the person interviewing you might have certain views based on what is said that could lead to subconscious prejudice. For example, sharing that you took time off for mental health could instantly cause the person to either resonate or disagree that this is necessary.

Either way, now may be the best time more than ever to risk it. For someone that wants to take that time off, but might be scared about what that looks like on a resume, find the loophole.

Try volunteering once a week or month; start your own business so you can set the hours, start low-maintenance life coaching that only requires an hour or less a week, run a small club or organization, get a temporary or online part-time job. I did that last one before, and it worked perfectly because you “technically” are working for them, but can say when you want to work if it’s with the right company.

Don’t let something that hasn’t even happened yet scare you! Take as much time as you need. The caveat is to create the backup plan beforehand if you plan to pick up where you left off in the future, or even if you think you might need to turn back to the job hunt at any point.

I hope to see you all soon, and have a great week!