Should job seekers explain employment gaps? Experimental evidence from Australian employers

The Department of Economics at NU invites you to a seminar by Arianna Gatta (The University of Queensland) on how employment gaps affect hiring decisions.

Using a large experiment with over 1,500 Australian employers, the study explores how gap duration and the reason for a gap shape employer perceptions, showing that providing certain explanations - like caregiving or company closure - can significantly improve interview and hiring chances, while disclosing mental health issues can backfire. The findings offer practical guidance for job seekers and employment services.