'Most Recent'

I’m going to double down on last week’s topic on account of having acquired another perfect example of what an (apparent) challenge it is to produce a chronologically accurate work history.

Recall I mentioned that my muscle memory had been so well trained in this regard that I reflexively ask what a person’s most recent job was, regardless of whether I am staring at resume at the same time as speaking to the potential candidate. In fairness to half of the people I speak with, they can usually answer that question fine, even if their written resume is effectively garbage. The other half of the time, though, people don't seem to know what 'most recent' means, even in conversation.

Case in point:

Me: Your resume indicates that XX was your most recent job, but it looks like you left nine or so months ago.

Most Recent (henceforth to be known as MR): Yes.

Me: [muscle memory kicks in, ignoring the phrase “most recent”] Have you worked since that job? 

MR: Yes. YY Company.

Me: [internalizes it is one of those candidates] Alright, so YY Company was your most recent job?

MR: Well, I mean, XX was my most recent, then I was at YY Company, and I just left a caregiver job about 2 weeks ago.

Me: [rubs temples in an attempt to quell a rapidly blooming headache] So, caregiving was your most recent job?

Why is it that 'most recent' is such a difficult concept to understand? By the time 'what was your most recent job' comes out of my mouth, I'm usually kicking myself for not asking 'where did you work last' because that seems to be more digestible. I suppose that means these situations are partly my fault?