L Loop (L-001) Evidence: supported

Employment Gap Penalty Loop

An employment gap triggers automated downranking (M-011), which pushes the profile below keyword and qualification filters (M-008); fewer interview invitations lengthen the gap, which in turn strengthens the downranking.

Reinforcing Cycle Edges (SCC)

M-011 (Employment Gap Downranking Bias)

→ amplifies →

M-008 (Automated Keyword / Qualification Filter)

→ amplifies →

M-011 (Employment Gap Downranking Bias)

Participating Mechanisms (2)

M-008 candidate

Automated Keyword / Qualification Filter

Deterministic filter rejecting applications missing exact acronyms, certifications, or specific years-of-experience thresholds.

M-011 none

Employment Gap Downranking Bias

Automated ranking algorithms or human screeners discount candidates with recent career breaks regardless of verified project history.

Interventions Proposed to Break This Cycle:

I-004: Remove Career Gap Feature from Automated Ranking Models

Disable employment duration gap penalties in recruitment AI algorithms and screening models.