'What did you do in 1996?': Man claims HR asked about resume gap from 30 years ago

A job applicant shared a bizarre experience during a recent interview during which he was asked to explain a gap in his resume dating back to 1996. In the post titled "Asked me about a gap 30 years ago", the man recounted a team interview for a management role at a German company.
During the call, one of the HR representatives reportedly questioned him about a three-year gap immediately after high school. "I can see you ended high school in 1996, but I can't see what you did between 96 and 99?" the HR interviewer allegedly asked.
The applicant, now 47, said he was taken aback by the question and responded bluntly: "If I mentioned every job I ever had on my CV, it would be 10 pages long," before going on to explain the missing years.
"I can understand asking about a gap a year ago or so, but almost 30 years back? Seriously. What is the relevance?" he wrote, adding that despite being the only Swedish-speaking candidate, which the role required, he did not get the job.
The post drew widespread support from fellow Reddit users, many of whom shared similar frustrations about being asked to explain employment gaps.
"There isn't any relevance. The person who asked is an idiot," one user wrote.
Another added, "I lost a job offer because of a one-year gap on my resume. The hiring manager couldn't comprehend that I used savings to travel."
Others advised editing resumes to avoid such questions entirely. "I recently removed the months from mine and just kept the years. I got tired of justifying every short stint."
"There isn't any relevance. They're just trying to seem like they know what they're doing. They practice interviewing procedures, and they go by that," said one user.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Hans India

12 minutes ago

• Hans India

Reddit Mulls Eye-Scanning Tech to Combat AI Bots and Uphold Anonymity

In a bold move to clamp down on AI-generated bots, Reddit is reportedly in talks to adopt a futuristic identity verification system that scans users' irises. The technology, known as the Orb, is part of the World ID project co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The idea is simple but ambitious: confirm that a user is human—without ever revealing their personal information. According to an exclusive report by Semafor, the social media platform is evaluating the use of World ID to curb the rise of sophisticated AI bots, which have grown harder to detect due to the surge in tools like ChatGPT. If implemented, Reddit users may soon be asked to prove they are real by looking into a shiny, spherical device that scans their eyes. World ID is the cornerstone of Altman's broader initiative, World (formerly Worldcoin). At the heart of the system is the Orb, a biometric scanner that captures a person's iris and face to generate a unique, encrypted digital identity. Once the scan is complete, the original images are deleted, and a secure code—stored locally on the user's phone—serves as proof of their humanity. As Reddit remains rooted in pseudonymity, with millions of users engaging in anonymous dialogue, the platform is treading carefully. Sources told Semafor that Reddit intends to offer 'many' other forms of user verification in addition to World ID, though specific alternatives have not been disclosed. If adopted, the World ID system could let users continue browsing and posting anonymously—but with an added layer of authenticity. The goal is to preserve the platform's community-driven culture while addressing growing concerns about misinformation, spam, and bot activity. The Orb itself has already made its way into various parts of the world. After debuting in six U.S. cities earlier this year, the technology recently arrived in the U.K., with devices now seen in shopping malls and high-street stores in London. Expansion to cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Belfast, and Glasgow is expected soon. Tools for Humanity, the company behind the Orb, also plans to place self-service kiosks in select retail locations, much like ATMs. For users who opt in, there's a sweetener—those signing up for World ID receive a portion of the project's native cryptocurrency, Worldcoin (WLD), as a reward. However, this high-tech solution has not come without controversy. World ID has faced regulatory scrutiny across multiple countries. Germany, Argentina, and Kenya have launched investigations into its use, while Spain and Hong Kong have banned it altogether. In South Korea, the firm was recently fined over $800,000 for violating privacy laws. Still, Tools for Humanity asserts that user privacy is central to their mission. They claim no biometric data is stored and that all information is anonymised and encrypted. 'World ID is safer and more privacy-conscious than other systems, such as India's Aadhaar,' said project co-lead Alex Blania, referencing Aadhaar's history of data breaches. With over 1,500 Orb scanners already in operation and plans to roll out 12,000 more, Reddit's potential adoption of this controversial technology underscores a larger dilemma faced by online platforms today: how to preserve human integrity in a digital world increasingly shaped by AI.

India Today

an hour ago

• India Today

Reddit eyes Sam Altman's Orb scanner to verify humans and crack down on AI bots

Reddit may soon ask users to prove they're human – by scanning their eyes. According to an exclusive report by Semafor, the social media platform is in discussions to adopt World ID, a controversial digital identity system co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The goal? To fight the rising number of AI bots on Reddit, which have become harder to detect as tools like ChatGPT grow more ID is part of Altman's broader project, World, formerly known as Worldcoin. At the centre of the system is the Orb, a shiny, spherical device that scans a person's iris to create a unique, anonymous digital identity. This 'proof of humanness' can then be used across various apps and platforms – potentially including idea is to offer Reddit users a way to confirm they're real people without giving up personal information. Sources told Semafor that Reddit also plans to include "many" other verification options besides World ID, though details are unclear. If adopted, World ID could allow Reddit users to log in anonymously but with added credibility, keeping bots and fake accounts at bay. The platform, known for its pseudonymous culture and user-led communities, is facing increasing pressure to ensure authenticity while respecting eye-scanning Orb itself already arrived in the UK earlier this month, after launching in six US cities earlier this year. Orbs have now begun appearing in high street shops and malls in London. Rollouts in Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Belfast and Glasgow are expected in the coming months, according to Bloomberg. The company behind the tech, Tools for Humanity, also plans to install self-service Orbs in select retail locations – much like standalone is how it works: you look into the Orb, which scans your iris and face. It then generates an encrypted code that becomes your World ID. The original images are immediately deleted, and the digital ID is stored locally on your phone. As an added incentive, users receive some of World's own cryptocurrency, Worldcoin (WLD), for signing World ID has drawn criticism globally over privacy concerns. Regulators in Germany, Argentina, and Kenya have opened investigations. Spain and Hong Kong have outright banned the technology, and South Korea recently fined the company over $800,000 for violating privacy for Humanity maintains that it does not store any biometric data, and that all iris scans are encrypted and anonymised. Ludwig has argued that World ID is safer and more privacy-conscious than other systems, such as India's Aadhaar, which has suffered multiple data breaches over the present, there are around 1,500 Orb scanners in use globally, with plans to distribute 12,000 more in the next year. As Reddit considers tapping into this controversial system to clean up its platform, it joins a growing list of companies struggling to answer one urgent question: how do we stay human in the age of AI?

Time of India

3 hours ago

• Time of India

'Shirt tucked, ribbon in hair': Bizarre dress code in job offer letter sparks discussion; netizens say ‘Welcome back to school'

In a bizarre incident, a purported offer letter from an Indian organisation highlighting a rigid dress code has surfaced on Reddit, which has gained massive attention from netizens. The strange dress code left social media users amused and stunned at the same time. On Monday, a post surfaced on the social media platform called Reddit, where a user under the name @r/IndianWorkplace shared a post with a title saying, "My friend got an offer letter, and we were going through it, and just wow, what does tucking in shirts or pinning shawls even have to do with the work people do?" As soon as the post surfaced on the internet, it quickly grabbed eyeballs and went viral. 'Dress code and grooming': What are the guidelines for men and women? The user shared an offer letter, allegedly for a developer position with a monthly salary of Rs 12,000, that contained a section called "Dress Code and Grooming" that outlined strict clothing requirements for men and women. For men, formal wear and tucked-in shirts are mandatory at all times, with a ban on T-shirts. However, jeans are allowed, but only if they are paired with a tucked-in shirt. While for the beard, it is mentioned that it should be well-trimmed and groomed. The policy is particularly strict for women, permitting only kurtas and churidars paired with shawls that must be 'properly pinned.' Additionally, it requires all women to tie their hair and secure it with a ribbon, drawing comparisons to school uniforms. The screenshot read, "Loose/open hair is not allowed. Hair should be tied with a ribbon and maintained neatly. Attire must always be neat, modest, and appropriate." Netizens react to the bizarre dress code in office As soon as the post surfaced on social media, it quickly grabbed eyeballs, and one said, "It's always the low-salary ones." While another said, "School mei bhi itna strict nhi hote the." One wrote, "looks like the company don't care about the work." "Welcome back to school they forgot me mention no running in the corridor and pin drop silence😁😁😂" "Indian workplaces are operated like schools with headmasters. another thing i dont like is for women formals means atlest 4-5 different types of clothes including pant shirt, salwar kurta, saadi, skirts etc. even foot wear includes shoes, sandals etc. But for men its only pant shirt (that too full sleeve in indian weather), and closed shoes (which make feet sweat)," another added.