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Question about gap in employment
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When I graduated college, I was unemployed for six months before finding a job. I've since been employed for the past 4.5 years. When applications ask to address any gaps in employment, does that count as a gap that needs to be addressed? Thanks
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CriticalSquareMBA
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Hey there,
Technically, yes, it does need to be addressed. It would appear you graduated in 2008, so your gap between graduation and finding a job isn't exactly difficult to explain. You're probably not the only applicant with a gap in the 2008 - 2009 range (recession anyone?).
However, I'm making an assumption there that your joblessness was due to not being able to find anything despite 100% active looking. If I'm wrong in assuming that, let me know!
Bhavik
Technically, yes, it does need to be addressed. It would appear you graduated in 2008, so your gap between graduation and finding a job isn't exactly difficult to explain. You're probably not the only applicant with a gap in the 2008 - 2009 range (recession anyone?).
However, I'm making an assumption there that your joblessness was due to not being able to find anything despite 100% active looking. If I'm wrong in assuming that, let me know!
Bhavik
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Sophia007
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Absolutely! That is considered gap in employment. In the "optional" essay - please make sure to bring it up and address it with integrity. These things happen but you're better off being upfront about this than let it slide.
Hopefully, this helps!
Good luck!
Hopefully, this helps!
Good luck!
Sophia Pathak| Admissions Consultant |
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If my post was helpful, let me know by pushing the thanks button.
Please free to directly email me at [email protected]. ANY questions are welcome! check out what others have to say about their experience with me https://mymbamentor.com/?page_id=31-
Kaneisha Grayson
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So you've gotten the answer that you need to address it in your optional essay, which is true. I'll provide some advice on HOW to address the gap in employment in your optional essay:
* Point out the 6-month gap
* Explain why the gap occurred
* Explain what you did during the gap (personally, academically, professionally)
* Tell the AdCom what you learned during this time / from this experience
* Explain what you will do differently/same if you ever encounter this same dilemma again
* Let the AdCom know what resources of the school you will use if you ever encounter this dilemma again (e.g. career center, networking with classmates, etc.)
* End your essay with a confident, upbeat concluding sentence about your enthusiasm to attend the school and do well afterwards in your chosen career
I find it helpful to provide applicants with "writing points" to cover in their essay so that they can have some structure to it as they write. I hope you found this helpful!
Please visit my website (https://theartofapplying.com) and see if I can be of service to you in some way in your process.
Regards,
Kaneisha
* Point out the 6-month gap
* Explain why the gap occurred
* Explain what you did during the gap (personally, academically, professionally)
* Tell the AdCom what you learned during this time / from this experience
* Explain what you will do differently/same if you ever encounter this same dilemma again
* Let the AdCom know what resources of the school you will use if you ever encounter this dilemma again (e.g. career center, networking with classmates, etc.)
* End your essay with a confident, upbeat concluding sentence about your enthusiasm to attend the school and do well afterwards in your chosen career
I find it helpful to provide applicants with "writing points" to cover in their essay so that they can have some structure to it as they write. I hope you found this helpful!
Please visit my website (https://theartofapplying.com) and see if I can be of service to you in some way in your process.
Regards,
Kaneisha
Harvard Business School MBA 2010, Harvard Kennedy School MPA 2010
Founder, The Art of Applying
Admissions Consulting for MBA, MPP, Joint Degrees, and Fellowships
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Founder, The Art of Applying
Admissions Consulting for MBA, MPP, Joint Degrees, and Fellowships
https://theartofapplying.com
Want free advice that actually works? Sign up for my weekly MBA, MPP, and JD newsletter here: https://theartofapplying.com/newsletter/
My clients have earned over $3.1 million in fellowships from Harvard and other top MBA, MPP, and JD programs since 2010.
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Michael@VeritasPrep
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I think it is generally ok to apply with such a long gap in employment. However, if I'm on the admissions committee, I would be asking what you did with those one and a half years. Did you just sit on your butt and ponder the meaning of life? Or, did you volunteer, learn a new skill, so some local consulting or try to start your own business? Those are two very different experiences, the latter of which I could actually see giving you credit for. Good luck on your applications!
