And does anyone want to practice something they've prepared?

Yes, we are happy to workshop your letter of explanation or lived experience interview talking points!

There is something to be said for being transparent, too. You should be interviewing and screening potential employers, not just being interviewed and screened by them. So, the more that you are comfortable sharing about yourself, what you're really doing is a form of a screening on your own behalf. If, for example, I want to talk about my family and how important it is to me, and that I absolutely value being home for dinner every night--and that fact causes them to raise an eyebrow becuase they typically expect employees to stay late as part of their work culture--why would I want to work for them? Why would I want to be part of their culture?

The point is this: your job is to learn all that you can about their culture BEFORE you get to an interview, and then you also test what you know about their culture. Getting a job that is not a good fit is almost as bad as not getting the job.

Before i came back to work it was 15 year.

Hi It’s new to me too! But I love it!

👍

John Ferrone: yes! Essential tip!

😀👍

What a great analogy!!!

Have we talked about why a gap is something employers are curiuos about? An employer is thinking one of the following or a combination: was this person fired and if so, why? Did they commit a crime? Were they on drugs? Ultimately... is there a risk,here, and can we depend on this person? So, how do you take that fear off the table? Usually, an interview begins with... "So, John, thanks for coming in... how about if you tell us a little about yourself." That's your opportunity to shape the narrative. You talk through your resume and highlight some things... and that's when you say, "You'll notice that there is a gap between year X and year Y... and during that time I had some personal and family challenges going on that required all of my time and attention. That's all resolved, which is why I'm now searching for my next position." Boom. Done. Set the narrative and boundaries, and now you've taken their fear off the table. You're all business, and you're ready to go.

If they see and hear you sum up and dismiss your own weak spot on the resume, that gives them great confidence.

Swipe past Jeremy

LOL

John Ferrone: that's so helpful for me to know & practice. Terrific advice!

Yes... every question they ask is an opportunity for you to impress. Even if you think it's your weak spot. How you respond is what they're evaluating just as much as what you will say. If you can see the resume gap as an opportunity rather than a liability, you will have the right mindset to impress them.

Wow! That is so awesome!!!! 🙂

All these tips & strategies r fantastic!

...thank you for this offering. I'm dropping off for another meeting now.

TY Elise, Jeremy & John & for everyone's input. Great stuff!

Thank

Thanks everyone!