How many times we have heard how our friends and acquaintances with spectacular grades, astounding personality, impressive work skills and solid work experience, taking break from their work and end up ruining their proficiently-progressing careers! Or perhaps, it is not a story heard! It is something that you are experiencing yourself and want a solution for!
It is okay to tell them or yourself that this is not the end! It is perfectly fine to have a career gap and then desiring to work again, as long as the situation is handled wisely.
Taking a break to pursue education or short pause for Maternity is often taken lightly by the Employers. Though, there are other equally valid reasons for the gaps that must be intelligently articulated during your interview if you want to nail it! Here is some help with explaining the gaps in your career during your interview.
HAVE A CONCRETE AND HONEST REASON
Remember how they recommended you in your Business School, to do a SWOT-Analysis every time before you actually appear for an interview? Well, they were your Saviors! It is profusely essential to have a concrete reason for the gap in your career and you won’t know that unless you do a detailed analysis of your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
Some probable reasons for the gap can be: Family Obligations, Personal Health Problems, Unemployment, and alike. Whatever your reasons may be, try being as specific and honest as you can.
Remember, you will never have strong justification for a fake reason, and even if you do, you will always be at risk of the truth being revealed any day, consequently, getting you into hot water.
DON’T FEEL GUILTY
Because you are being honest, no matter how silly you think your reason is, don’t feel guilty about it! Be calm and confident when you talk. Remind yourself that you are dealing with humans and they will definitely consider your explanation, provided it is rational.
JUSTIFY YOUR REASON
More than what you say, it matters how you say it! A strong and valid reason can have weak justification and vice versa. Therefore, plan beforehand what you are going to say! When you start explaining your reason talk in a rational manner!
To give you an idea of what a rational explanation would look like, a sample is given below:
“After working for 3 years in Sales, when I was asked if I love my job, my answer was a clear ‘No’! This made me realize that I was not being fair to the company I was working with and myself because I simply cannot give my best unless I love what I do! Hence, I decided to take some time off, clear my head and decide what is that I can do best.”
“And when I did, I realized I was not able to give anything to my audience except selling the product, while I needed something more meaningful. Therefore I took this 3-month course in Communication. Now I am back in the field to work with the Training department of Corporate Sales!”
ENTICE THE INTERVIEWER BY SHOWCASING YOUR STRONG AND DIVERSE SKILL SET
As you are aware that you have a career gap, strengthen the ‘Skill Section’ of your Curriculum Vitae to make an attractive impression on the interviewer. During your interview, discuss these diverse skills and give evidence from your previous job and incidences during the Gap to support your argument. Make sure that your skills are relevant to the job and marketable!
PLAY LIKE A PRO
A common stereo-type associated with Career Gaps is that the applicant is no longer aware of the current Market trends and has gone out-dated. Break the stereo-type! Surprise the Interviewer! Before going for the interview, update yourself with the latest information and news relevant to your field.
Share your knowledge of the respective field and discuss your point-of-view on the current market scenario, but while you do it, be vigilant, do not sound over-confident or a show-off. Though, don’t be pushy and do not drag the discussion!
GATHER AS MANY REFERENCE LETTERS AS YOU CAN
Get genuine Recommendations on Business-oriented Social Networking Sites. Request your previous employers to provide you with Reference Letters or recommendation elucidating on your professional skills and present these to your interviewer during the interview.
There are number of prudent employers out there who will hire you for your skills and wisdom! So, be patient during your Job hunt and have faith in yourself!
About Writer: Stevens Stone is an executive editor at Assignment Geek. He’s an extrovert who has a thing for parties, get together and family retreats. When he’s off the desk, he prefers to hang out with his buddies and siblings.
Tags: Career Tips, jobs
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