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Question about gap in employment

by deacoW » Fri Sep 06, 2013 3:03 pm
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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by CriticalSquareMBA » Mon Sep 09, 2013 7:59 am
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!

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by Sophia007 » Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:37 am
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!

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by blessu » Wed Sep 11, 2013 3:36 am
It's not so bad, one is allowed to take some time off, go on a trip etc. why not? :)
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by Kaneisha Grayson » Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:38 pm
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.

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by Michael@VeritasPrep » Mon Jan 18, 2016 1:13 pm
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!
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