Picture this scenario -
You’ve been unemployed for a while and though
you’ve done the best you can, you just can’t seem to secure an offer. You
suspect the huge gap on your resume is the major reason why you’re not being
considered for jobs.
So, how will you answer this dreaded question during your next interview?
–
“I see you’ve been
out of work for a while, what have you been doing over the past two years?”
To begin with, don’t let this question throw you. Everyone has taken a
break at one time or other and in today’s job market, it has become all too
common for applicants to have gaps on their resume. It doesn’t matter if you
have been forced to do so due to downsizing or to attend to your personal
affairs.
Instead of dreading the question, be proactive and prepare for it with
confidence.
First of all, be honest about the reasons and then balance it with a
strong proposition that the hiring manager cannot resist.
Here are a few suggestions:
Demonstrate that
you are in tune with the latest trends in your field
Read up on what’s happening in your industry, join trade associations,
and network with people in your field to find out about the latest trends in
your industry. Perhaps, even write an article or blog and submit it to a trade journal
or write a white paper on a relevant topic. You can bring the white paper with
you on the interview, post it to your LinkedIn profile or look for an
opportunity to mention it during the interview.
Fill in the gaps on your resume
The primary concern
that a prospective employer has with applicants that have been out of work for
extended absences is that their skills may not be up-to-date. The best way to
address this is to prove that you’ve been able to keep your skills current. You
also want to make it look as though you’ve been productive and not just busy
looking for a job.
An easy way to keep
your skills current is to work on a project as a volunteer for a charitable
organization or for a local chapter of your industry association, (another
option is to get work as a consultant or freelancer). The key here is to do
work that is relevant to your job target.
For example, John was
an attorney who volunteered to serve on the Board of Directors as legal counsel
for his local Red Cross chapter. He was able to talk about the various legal
issues he encountered and also added this experience at the top of his resume
under “relevant experience.” On top of that, he was able to show his passion
for charitable causes.
Be enthusiastic
Every candidate who has an unbroken career path is your competition. He
or she is what a hiring manager would call the safe and sound choice. How can
you differentiate yourself from the conventional choice?
Display your passion. Show that you are up to the challenge. Instead of trying
to cover up a career break, put forth plausible reasons and show that your
skills are up-to-date.
Then when someone asks what you’ve been doing, you can say, “I took care
of a family situation for a while, but most recently I’ve been consulting on a
part-time basis…” or “While taking a career break to attend to family matters,
I worked with a not-for-profit organization where I was able to keep my skills
current doing …”
When you take the initiative to address or bring up the career break on
your own, you take the advantage away from the interviewer. It shows that you
are prepared and weren’t hoping that the question will not come up.
You have addressed the elephant in the interview room and turned the
situation to your advantage.
