How to Explain a Work Gap When Returning to Corporate

How to Explain a Work Gap When Returning to Corporate

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If you’ve found yourself unemployed for some reason at any time in your career and are seeking a return to a corporate job position, then you may need to explain that work gap to a hiring manager.

While it’s not necessarily a “make-or-break” detail in your job application, it should be handled with tact, as it can be seen as a red flag by some employers.

What Is A Work Gap?

A work gap is a period of unemployment in your professional career. This may have been caused voluntarily (i.e., extended sabbatical for personal reasons), or it may have been the result of something out of your control (i.e., company-wide layoffs)

The reasons for unemployment could be anything but might include:

  • Health issues
  • Travel
  • Moving to a new city
  • Layoffs or termination of employment
  • Maternity or paternity leave

Usually, any period longer than 6-months of unemployment would be considered a work gap. According to a survey from Statista, the average duration of unemployment in the US in 2021 was 28.7 weeks, or a little longer than seven months. 

Hiring managers will want to know about your work gap and understand what you may have done with that time. This article will provide a few tips to help you explain a work gap in an interview setting and help you successfully return to a corporate job.

Be Honest… But Reserved

There’s no need to lie about a work gap, and it’s usually better to be transparent about what happened and why. Life happens, and hiring managers know that, so be confident and prepared to talk about your work gap. 

Prepare Experience & New Skill Talking Points

Instead of focusing on the reasons for your unemployment or the personal information that may have happened during that time, it’s better to have prepared a few talking points that help explain what you learned or how you developed during that time.

This helps keep the conversation focused on your qualifications as a candidate and avoids potential pitfalls in the interview process. Use this as an opportunity to show a hiring manager how you push your professional growth even during unemployment.

Emphasize Your Autonomy if the Work Gap was Voluntary

Hiring managers will respect thoughtful explanations and decisions made with intent. If your work gap was voluntary, make sure that you emphasize that point to let them know that you were aware of the impact it might have on your professional career.

Even better, emphasize why you made this decision and how you anticipated it would better prepare you for a return to a corporate job. 

Don’t Overtly Complain if the Work Gap is Involuntary

While you may be able to stir up some compassion from a hiring manager, it’s better to demonstrate that you are returning to the corporate world stronger and better despite the involuntary work gap in your career. This helps show that you are a dedicated professional that can overcome challenges, even when there’s been a negative impact.

While you may try to encourage some sympathy from your interviewer, ensure that you remain optimistic and focused on how you stay the best candidate despite that work gap in your resume.

Explain Why You Are Ready To Return To Corporate Work

Don’t focus too much on the details of your work gap. Instead, use it as an opportunity to discuss why now is the best time for you to return to corporate work and how you are fully prepared for the position. Ultimately, hiring managers are evaluating you for a job position, so do your best to keep the conversation focused on your qualifications as a candidate and avoid potential pitfalls in the conversation.

Be Confident

Regardless, the most effective way to address a work gap in your career is to remain confident about the entire issue. Life happens, and it’s only sometimes possible to keep up a consistent job in every case. 

A work gap can be a non-issue if you are confident in your response, and a hiring manager will intuitively pick up on how you perceive the work gap yourself. A strong confidence around the topic will help express that you are still qualified and ready to return to corporate work successfully.


Do you need more career guidance before returning to work?

Consider scheduling a consultation with Ivy Exec Executive Career Coaches


 

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