How Should Recent Grads Explain a Medical Gap in Interviews? Seeking HR Insights

Hello All, I have a question for all HR professionals and experts. I searched extensively for this question but received mixed responses. Is it a fault to be loyal in today's world?

Question About Interview Gaps

My question is: Is a medical accident a negative reason to mention during an interview for a year gap for a graduate who has completed their degree and immediately met with an accident before starting any job? According to my research, I found mixed reactions from many people:

- You should tell the truth in an interview.
- You should not give any medical reason for the gap or leaving the job or anything else.

Thank you.

I am not sure where you got this feedback from regarding "should not give any medical reason for a gap or leaving a job." As long as you are able to produce medical records/evidence, companies agree to consider the candidacy unless the gap is very high (a few years). Even in such cases, it also depends on your interview performance.

Communication Skills in Interviews

Regarding your comment "say the truth in the interview" – that's right. But at the same time, it depends on HOW you say it, which leads to your communication skills. For example, saying that "you are a bad guy" and saying that "you have the following areas to improve upon" essentially mean the same thing, but with a difference – the key being what one is focusing on. This is also suggested for another reason – it's easier to speak the truth than to lie and then think of ways to cover it up. Like the saying goes: "Truth can stand alone while a lie always needs an accomplice." Hope you got the point.

Loyalty vs. Honesty

Regarding your remark "Is it a fault to be loyal in today's world?" – it looks like you are confused between "loyalty" and "honesty." I suggest giving details of the ACTUAL situation so that members would be able to help you better with possible solutions.

All the Best.

Regards,
TS

Thank you very much for your response. I would like to share that I have searched on the internet and heard that it gives a negative impact, such as the candidate may be lying since they may have failed to clear interviews or may still have some medical problem which may lead to their discontinuity in the job, etc. If the gap is seriously almost a year (10-11 months), does it bring an impact that the candidate is fake, because in the first contact you can't directly produce medical documents?

Also, I would like to ask, will it be logical to include the gap period or reason on your resume? Because if a candidate is without a job for a year, it becomes difficult to get an opportunity due to the gap.

Regards,
PAS