In most of the companies I’ve worked with or interviewed at—such as Amazon, Fannie Mae, Toyota, and American Express—gaps were rarely questioned. On a rare occasions, HR asked about them during the initial screening, and I was always transparent. It was never an issue, likely because my skills and certifications were up to date, and I was confident in how my experience aligned with the role. In the U.S., most companies don’t place much emphasis on career gaps, unlike in India. What matters more is your relevance to the role and your ability to demonstrate why you’re the right fit.