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Phone Mock Interview

To help you prepare for your next job interview, here are 30 interview questions you may be asked over the phone.

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Question 16 of 30

You have a few gaps in your resume. Can you explain these?

When responding to this question, make sure you answer honestly about your gaps of employment, whether your discrepancies are due to staying home with the kids, an illness, taking care of an ailing parent, or taking some time off to think about a career change.

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How to Answer: You have a few gaps in your resume. Can you explain these?

  • 16. You have a few gaps in your resume. Can you explain these?

      How to Answer

      When responding to this question, make sure you answer honestly about your gaps of employment, whether your discrepancies are due to staying home with the kids, an illness, taking care of an ailing parent, or taking some time off to think about a career change.

      Answer Example

      "The first gap in my resume was from 2007 - 2008 when I took a year off after completing University, to travel. Even though I was not working, I learned so much about business and interpersonal communication during that year of travel. After being laid off in 2012, I was without work for six months. Those are the only two gaps in my resume."

      Admin

      "There were two times where I had a gap in my career. One gap was taking time off for personal reasons in between a great career pivot. The other, I took some time off to attend schooling for an administration certificate. The certificate greatly improved the quality of my work and my organizational skills."

      Manager

      "The gap in my resume was when my employer went bankrupt and my role dissolved with no notice. We were in a recession, and it was an incredible challenge to find employment. You will see that I ended up relocating to gain employment. It was certainly a trying year."

      Marketing

      "The only gap on my resume is the three months after college graduation when I traveled a bit but had a job lined up for my return. Additionally, you may see that there are seven months between the two companies I've worked for, but that was when I left my sales position and worked freelance marketing before being brought on as a full-time inbound marketing coordinator."

      Retail

      "The gap in my resume was due to an apprenticeship with a professor while getting my associates in fashion merchandising. Technically I was still employed but very part-time during this time. The following semester was outstanding but in an unpaid untitled assistant role."

      Sales

      "I completely understand your interest in them. There is a gap between my college education as I left one University for another. Also, I took some time off when my mom was sick with leukemia. Thankfully, she is in remission. There is one other 6-month gap after I left my role at ABC company when I took the time to spend with my son when he was a newborn."

      Teacher

      "I started my career as a substitute teacher in a smaller city where opportunities were few and far between. To try to fill the gaps, I did work as a bartender; however, chose to leave that off of my resume to avoid confusion."

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "Yes, I do have one gap in my resume. I took a break in my career, after the birth of my second daughter, to spend time raising my young family. It was a decision that I am confident was the right thing to do for my family. After my children were all of elementary school age, then I went back to work, part-time at first, and then increasing to full time. The transition back to work was smooth, and I've been working full time in the city for over ten years now."

      Rachelle's Feedback

      Excellent! You did what was right for your family, and should be very proud. It's great that you mention how smooth your transition was, back into the workforce. Your answer is very confident and professional.
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