Preparation is Key to Explaining Employment Gaps During a Job Interview

A large part of any job interview is discussing your resume. The interviewer(s) want to know how your experience can aid their company. They also want to know how your experience will help you perform the job properly. Often, interviewer(s) will want to discuss any gaps in employment. There are some dos and donts for discussing employment gaps.

Recent economic conditions are making this less of an automatic interview killer. In the past, low unemployment and plentiful jobs really highlighted employment gaps. Employment gaps made the interviewer(s) wonder why you were not able to find a job. Recent economic conditions are making employment gaps less important. As the unemployment rate rises, more job applicants may experience employment gaps. You do have to be prepared to explain any employment gaps.

You should always be honest with the interviewer(s). When explaining any employment gaps, honesty is key. It is crucial to remember that any statements are subject to a background check. As the number of job applicants increases, companies are able to be much more careful. A larger number of companies are performing background checks on job applicants. While a statement may sound good during the interview, if it does not hold up to a background check then you are likely to not get the job.

Do not focus on the cause of the employment gap. Some reasons for leaving a job are easily explaining such as being laid off, the company downsizing, or restructuring and eliminating your position. Other reasons for leaving are not so easily explainable. If you left because of differences with your or other situations that require explaining, then do not mention them. If the interviewer(s) want to know more, they will ask for clarification. This will provide an opportunity to explain. Keep in mind, if you make a big deal out of a situation then the interviewer(s) may wonder why you see it as a big deal.

While honesty is crucial, you do have license to present employment gaps in a positive light. If it took a couple of months to find a position, after a job lay off, then explain how you honed your skills during the gap. You can explain how you spent the time to stay updated on industry changes or took courses to increase your skills. This shows that you are a self starter. It also illustrates that you care about the value of continually updating your skills. If you have a lengthy unemployment gap, you may explain this on your resume or in your cover letter.

A little preparation can help you avoid generating unnecessary interest in employment gaps. Often, how you approach and your answers about employment gaps will affect how the level of importance given by the interviewer(s). Before the interview, ask another person to review your resume. Ask them to take the side of the interviewer(s) and tell you anything they think the interviewer(s) might ask. If you know someone who is a manager or human resource officer then all the better. This review provides you an opportunity to identify and test answers for potential questions. This review also avoids undue hesitation during the interview.

Avoid undue hesitation. You should make sure and prepare answers to the interviewer(s) potential questions, before the interview. Over the last couple of decades, more managers and human resource officers are being taught behavioral interviewing. Behavioral interviewing teaches the interviewer(s) to look at the person as a whole. Hesitation when answering questions might hint that you are formulating an answer. While this may just by you being thoughtful, some interviewers might see this as you hiding something.

Current employment rates are making employment gaps more prevalent. However, the interviewer(s) may still have questions about employment gaps. When explaining employment gaps always be honest with the interviewer(s), do not place undue focus on the cause, spin the employment gap in the best possible light, prepare yourself for potential interview questions, and avoid undue hesitation. Remember, if you place undue emphasis on any employment gaps then the interviewer(s) will also place emphasis on these employment gaps.