The first thing to know if you have a gap in your career history is that you’re not alone. The majority of people who are of working age have experienced unemployment at some point in their lives, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics.
In this article, we go over best practises for explaining work gaps during interviews.
What does a job gap mean?
Employment gaps are times in your professional life when you were not actively working, either voluntarily or unavoidably. Any period of unemployment longer than six months should be regarded as such. If you don’t explain the reason for your employment gap and the experience you earned during that period, employment gaps on a resume can be cause for7 concern.
You may have a gap in your employment for a variety of reasons, such as:
Cared for an ill family member
Stayed at home to take care of your child or children
Had medical or health problems
Travelled or relocated to a new region, or pursued additional education or professional training
Were fired or laid off
Actively looked for a new career but was unable to find one that fit
Methods of describing employment gaps
A few simple rules for how to address employment gaps in an interview are as follows:
1. Be ready to discuss it
You won’t necessarily be prevented from getting through the interview stage if your CV contains a gap. However, future employers will demand an explanation. Spend some time in advance figuring out how to fill the gap in a way that exudes confidence and optimism.
2. Be truthful
You should be honest without providing superfluous details. Your response could start with something like this: “I (explain the reason you weren’t hired). (What you did during the pause) during that moment. During that time, getting back to work was a key priority, and I’m prepared to do so today.
Here are various causes of employment gaps as well as illustrations of how to use that template in your particular circumstance:
If you quit your job to be a care-giver
“I served as my family’s main care-giver for a while. I was able to support my family during that period, but I always knew I wanted to go back to work. Now I’m prepared to carry that through.”
If you lost your job
“My employment was removed as a result of a restructure at my prior workplace. It was a tough period, to be perfectly honest. However, I departed with the knowledge that I had gained crucial skills there and solidified ties with my superiors and coworkers. I’m eager for the chance to use those experiences in my next position.”
If you lost your job
“I had different expectations from the company. I’ve since come to the realisation that there were several things I could have done differently during that encounter. I gained a lot of knowledge, and I’m eager for the chance to apply that maturity to my next position.”
If you have a personal leave of absence
“I had the opportunity to take some time off work to take care of myself. It was a period that helped me get ready to face new difficulties. The prospects that lay ahead, like this position, have me very pumped.”
3. Comb the hole
“You don’t have to go into information about what led to your employment gap, but you should describe what you did during that time.”
Mention any articles you read to stay current with the field, how you kept in touch with coworkers, or what you did to get ready for your comeback. Include any freelancing employment, volunteer or community jobs undertaken, workshops or events attended, or any other ways that you have improved your professional abilities. Even though you haven’t had a formal job, the point is to demonstrate that you have been actively involved.
4. Keep it brief and leave if necessary
A lot of people take time off for various causes. Sometimes, these motives are private and something you would rather not share.
Refocus the conversation on your willingness and capacity to do the duties of the job you are applying for once you have addressed the gap and described what you did during that period. Once you’ve provided an answer to their inquiry, you can accomplish this by asking your interviewer a question.
You can choose to remark, “I’d prefer not to go into more detail,” if the conversation takes a turn that you find unsettling. But I’m really eager to talk about my professional background. You might next include another work-related anecdote that demonstrates your qualifications for the post.
By stating, “I’m not comfortable with where our conversation is going so this may not be the right fit,” you can choose to end the interview at any time. I appreciate your time.