Understand that an interviewer is only interested in knowing the reason for the gap in employment, and what you’ve been doing since then.
So plan your actions and responses in advance for you to be in the “safe” zone:
1. In most cases, personal reasons (e.g maternity, parenthood, marriage) are considered acceptable. However, there could be certain exceptions, and it's safe to act in accordance with the reasons. E.g :
a. Illness – Offer to share proof (e.g Medical certificate etc.) to validate the reasons. Moreso if the reason of the gap has to do with your own illness, imperative to show that you are fit to resume work.
b. Travel/ Personal break – Maybe you were hit by the travel bug or perhaps, just needed a break - make a mental list of how the break has enriched you as a professional. Eg. Travelling makes you more culturally aware, enhances interpersonal skills, adds new perspectives etc.
2. And if you have actually quit your job for professional reasons, then your response needs to be worded appropriately:
a. Quit due to professional dissatisfaction – Bad boss, bad work culture or perhaps office politics – don’t rant. Instead, give a diplomatic, objective perspective and show that the exit was a well thought of decision and not an impulsive one.
b. Been handed a pink slip? - Whether the pink slip was an outcome of Organization downsizing, takeover or perhaps your performance - engage yourself immediately alongside your ongoing job search. Take up a consulting/ freelancing assignment, up-skill yourself by adding a certification or doing a course to add value to your credentials, do some volunteer work. These would show a prospective employer that you aren’t a quitter and have the ability to make the most out of a negative situation also. Through the interview, talk about how you have leveraged the time that you had in hand since the break.
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All the best!
