During a job interview, any aspect of a candidate’s work history can be questioned, says career expert Erin McGough. This includes times when I am not working.
Don’t panic if your interviewer asks you to explain gaps in your resume, she says. Be prepared for questions and try to remain calm when answering them.
McGoff, author of “The Secret Language of Work: Hyper-Helpful Scripts for Every Meaning,” says that while employment gaps may have been a disadvantage in the hiring process these days, professionals with completely linear career paths are becoming increasingly rare.
Rather than trying to avoid talking about gaps in your resume, she says it’s best to address the topic head-on to allay concerns and show that you’re ready to continue building your career.
McGough says your goal is to provide an answer that makes the other person think, “Oh, that makes sense. That’s not a red flag.”
She recommends tackling this difficult interview subject.
Focus on the present and future, not the past
When answering this question, McGough recommends following the 90/10 rule. “Make sure only 10% of your answers actually explain the gap, and 90% talk about your abilities, learning, and improved skills,” he writes in his book.
It’s just as important to keep your answers positive and “positive,” she says.
For example, if you took time off as a caregiver, an appropriate response might start with something like, “I quit my full-time job to care for my young child.”
Next, it’s a good idea to highlight what you’ve done to develop your skills during that time, such as freelancing, attending industry conferences, attending workshops, and keeping up with industry news and developments.
Finally, please share your enthusiasm for the future. You might say, “I’m really excited to be joining you again,” and share what specifically attracted you to this role or company and what you hope to bring to it.
McGoff said another “very common” reason for gaps in a candidate’s career is layoffs. Given the spate of high-profile layoffs in recent years, companies are unlikely to see that as a red flag, she says.
Let’s start by briefly talking about layoffs. For example, you might say, “I loved my previous role. Unfortunately, I was affected by a company-wide restructuring.”
Next, focus on your interest in the position you’re interviewing for. “But I’m grateful because it means I can now pursue this opportunity.” Explain in more detail why you’re interested in that particular company or role, and highlight any experience or expertise (including transferable skills) you’ve gained from your previous job.
Please keep it short and sweet
According to McGough, responding concisely and confidently will allay any lingering concerns an employer may have about your work history.
He stressed that candidates are under no obligation to reveal the reason for their leave. If you don’t want to get into details, McGough recommends keeping your responses short and sweet. “I took some time off from my full-time job to deal with some personal issues. I’m happy to say that everything is now resolved and I couldn’t be more excited to be back.”
After all, gaps in your resume are probably not a “deal breaker” for recruiters. After all, the hiring manager saw your resume and brought you in for an interview anyway, she says.
When they ask about the gap, “they’re just curious about what you were doing during that period,” she says. “Don’t stress too much about it.”
Do you want to get your dream job? Take CNBC’s online course How to Ace Your Job Interview to learn what hiring managers really want, body language techniques, what to say and what not to say, and the best ways to talk about salary.
