Preparing answers for interviews
Hiring managers review resumes carefully to understand your complete work history. When you take time off from working, your resume reflects a gap of employment. Whether the break was a choice to care for a newborn or a child, support a sick family member, advance your education, or if it was because of a layoff, finding a new job takes a while. Skillfully addressing gaps of employment is important to show you are a qualified applicant. Learn what gaps of employment are, reasons employers ask about them, and some strategies to address them while maintaining focus on strengths and qualifications.
What are gaps of employment?
Gaps of employment are periods of time during your career that you were not formally employed by a company, organization, or other party. The time frame can vary from a couple of months to several years. Gaps in employment can concern hiring managers, so it’s best to prepare ways to address them within your resume and during the interview process. There are many valid reasons to have an employment gap and addressing them honestly will give you credibility.
Why interviewers ask about gaps of employment
Interviewers ask about gaps of employment because they want to know you are a reliable individual committed to your industry and career. The hiring process can be time-consuming and expensive for companies seeking qualified individuals. Employers need assurance that they are using their time productively and are on the right track to finding a suitable candidate. Plan an appropriate and informative answer that explains the gap of employment clearly, shows you are ready to rejoin the workforce confidently, and conveys positivity.
How to address employment gaps
Employment gaps may be concerning for recruiters and hiring managers seeking to fill a long-term position. Employers want committed employees to grow with the company and invest in its overall success. Although explaining a gap in employment is complicated, giving a direct response that shows optimism and an eagerness to work will confirm your qualifications and responsibility. Consider the following tips when addressing your gap of employment during an interview.
1. Be prepared.
Especially if the gap of employment is longer, employers will probably inquire about it. Have an explanation prepared to show confidence and interest in new employment opportunities. Give a quick and direct response, then transition the conversation to your skills that equip you for the position you seek.
2. Answer directly.
Provide a succinct response that gives the hiring manager a rational idea of the reason for the gap of employment. If you were a caregiver for a relative, or took time off for traveling, be honest in your response. The employer will appreciate your candor, and your directness will show your communication skills.
3. Focus on your abilities.
When discussing your employment gap, you can surface skills you gained during that time period that can help you fulfill your job responsibilities successfully. Consider explaining how you can apply some of your soft skills to further the company’s progress.
Learn more: How to Develop Interpersonal Skills
4. Provide assurance.
Reassure the interviewer that you are ready to work again by indicating that you have resolved the issue or situation that led to your unemployment.
5. Explain the value.
We gain some of our most valuable skills from life experience. The skills we have that can be applied in any industry and throughout life are called transferable skills. Explain how you spent your time and what you learned during the gap of employment.
6. Know the job description well.
Study the job description and identify keywords used to describe the qualifications needed and the responsibilities of the position. Align your skills with these to give validity to your experience during the employment gap. If you were administering medicine to a sick relative and recording vitals, you learned time management skills and became detail-oriented. If you were traveling, you learned how to communicate effectively with people of different cultures and backgrounds.
7. Minimize the gap.
Most people who are out of work find value in their time and learn new skills. Show you used your time for personal or professional growth by explaining how your volunteer experience has helped you become more empathetic. Taking garden courses at the local library, teaching GED classes at a community center, or gardening in the community garden are all valid experiences that minimize the employment gap and show your enterprise.
Learn more: How to Add Volunteering and Community Service to Your Resume
Tips for noting employment gaps in the cover letter and on a resume
Use these tips to focus your information on a cover letter and resume and give an authentic picture explaining your employment gap.
Explaining employment gaps for the cover letter
A cover letter is a good opportunity to explain your gap of employment. In paragraph form, you can detail the reasons for the gap and explain the skills you learned. Show how you plan on using the skills to succeed at your job and help the company. Addressing the gaps immediately proves you are direct, differentiating you from other candidates.
Addressing lapsed in employment for the resume
On the resume, you have a couple of different options. You can choose to use a combination format, which can focus more on your skills and less on the chronological account of your work history. You can also list work experience by years alone instead of months and years to lessen the gap of employment. However, if the gap of employment is longer, list what you did under experience and indicate the skills you learned. This will validate your actions and clear up questions.
Discussing any gaps in employment for the job interview
During the job interview, address the question directly and confidently. Make sure to explain what led to the gap, what you did during that time, what you learned, and how you can use what you learned to succeed at work. Detail your accomplishments in numerical terms. If you coached a midnight basketball league, explain the leadership skills you used and how successful your team was. You can even show how many team members you helped and in what capacity. A good deal of experiential knowledge is valid when presented with purpose.
Example answers to "why do you have a gap of employment?"
Review the list below of example reasons for gaps of employment so you can formulate your own answer.
Reason: To care for a newborn or child
I realized they needed me at home. I am grateful I was in a position in my career and personal life to take a breather and care for my children when they were young. We have some great memories and I am confident that was the best decision at the time. Now that my children are school-age, I’m ready to turn my attention back to my career and am excited for the new opportunities.
Reason: To care for a sick relative
My mom had a stroke and I helped her through her recovery. I could take her to doctor’s appointments and help her relearn life skills without having to call in an absence to work. I knew I would not have been able to produce my best work during that time because of my family obligations, so I took a break. It was an honor to help my mom who raised me. She is doing well now and has progressed so much that she no longer needs the constant support. I’m ready to focus on my career and feel energized for the new challenge.
Reason: To pursue your education
I felt it was time to finish my degree. I wanted to show myself that I was capable of that achievement and to show my family the value of an education. I have my degree, new knowledge, and am ready to apply my skills to a new career.
Reason: You were laid off
The company I was with restructured and the duties of my position were absorbed by another role. I learned a lot in my time there and am grateful for the professional relationships I still have. I’m ready to apply my skills in helping another company.
Reason: You were fired
Our company is under new management and we didn’t see eye to eye. Our expectations of my role were not aligned. I learned a lot from that experience and am excited to apply it with my relations here.
Reason: Change of locations
I loved my previous company, but my family relocated. I took some time to get us settled before rejoining the workforce. This is our new home and I’m looking forward to a place where I can use my skills and help a company succeed.
Reason: Travel
I needed to take some time for myself. I traveled to places I had never dreamed about and my experiences taught me a lot about myself and how to interact with others. I’m excited to join a new company and dedicate my time to my profession.
Explaining gaps of employment can be intimidating. With an optimistic approach, you can show a hiring manager that your time away from a traditional job was beneficial to you professionally and added to your qualifications. A job that is the right fit will value your unique experiences and see you as a fit candidate.