While shortlisting potential candidates for my business, I often come across applicants with gaps in their employment history. These are periods during which they are not engaged in any work, business or employment and such periods always draw attention.

It draws attention because the employers will be thinking: “Were you fired?”, “Why didn’t you line up a job after quiting?”, “Why is it that you can’t land a job quickly?”, “Will your skills remain up-to-date and sharp?”, “Will you need more time to pick up work again?”, “Did you not get along with your team?”

When it draws my attention, I will certainly ask the candidate what he/she did during that period in an interview. Interestingly, the most common answer till date has been, “Oh, my mother was unwell during that period in time and I quit my job to look after her. Now that she is well, I decided to look for a job again.” The answer is usually given with a variation of a direct relative, usually father or mother.

While I do not doubt the truthfulness of such an answer, it lacks a punch. To turn your explanation of a gap in your employment history into an advantage, my suggestion is to make your answer more compelling by completing your answer with, “During this time, I remained connected to the industry and field of work. I kept up-to-date with industry (or professional) development via industry journals, books, associations, events, etc. and did freelance/part-time work in my field.”

To put the interviewer’s attention back to your suitability and away from the gap, always express, very proactively, your keenness to get back into the job circuit. Reiterate how you fit the job and company inspite of the gap and highlight the value that you will bring to the organisation and your readiness to contribution.