Question about Gap in Resume

Share tips as you apply, write essays, interview...
This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2011 7:08 am

Question about Gap in Resume

by jdunlap » Thu Sep 22, 2011 4:03 pm
Hello Everyone - Would love to get some opinions on how to handle the following situation:

I am 5 years out of Undergrad. I had 2 years of excellent experience out of school, but then decided I wanted more so I resigned (with great references - including recs for my app). Then I spent the next ~2 years traveling the world (spent a total of almost 1 year overseas in 10 countries), volunteering for causes I feel strongly about (including biking across my home state, volunteering in Peru for 4 months, etc.), and also worked for a youth development program for a period of time(another passion).

Since then - I have moved to Philadelphia and now have 1 year and counting of strong experience here.

My big question is how do I frame this experience effectively in my MBA Applications? Especially in regards to a resume (one page is impossible with all the experiences, but gap is bad too, right?)?

Also, as a corollary, is this sort of story admit-able or did I torpedo my chances? Other parts of my application are pretty strong (UNC Undergraduate Degree with 3.4 GPA, 770 GMAT). My career goals are all social-enterprise related so there is a strong correlation between that period and my intentions, if that makes sense.

Would really appreciate any assistance from any of the experts here - I would be more than grateful.

Best Regards,
Jackson
Source: — The Application Process |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 3135
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 am
Location: Everywhere
Thanked: 589 times
Followed by:332 members

by Jon@Admissionado » Thu Sep 22, 2011 9:15 pm
Jackson - You have great numbers!

Don't let this story get you down. My advice to you: Take what seems at first glance to be a "problem" and present it as an advantage. You have a great around the world experience, fascinating stories, you volunteered, you did something brave, unique, off the beaten path. And you are also currently employed! So it obviously didn't harm your professional development. The way to deal with is head on - in every application you will have to write an essay about this trip. But there's no reason for you to "Excuse" yourself. Present it as a choice, something that helped you mature, that you are proud of.
Make the schools LOVE your story.
"Hands down the best MBA admissions consulting firm of all-time, and boy, what an incredible founder!" -- Raj Patil, Founder of Admissionado

Something for everyone:
https://admissionado.lpages.co/admissio ... nter-2018/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Admis ... 700945.htm

Reach out, and let's gab. Our only requirement is that you don't prefer warm milk over cold milk. Everyone else, 100% welcome.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 866-409-4753
Hit us up on WhatsApp.
Ping our satellite: 0884#&@-2#101101
Contact us via web form you lazy git: https://admissionado.com/contact/
Mostly, email Claudia.