Question re: unemployment / employment gap

Launched September 22, 2008
This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Aug 13, 2010 7:39 am

Question re: unemployment / employment gap

by sl86 » Wed Oct 20, 2010 12:40 pm
Hi,

I have a 4 1/2 month gap in my employment history. I've heard that gaps greater than 3 months should be addressed in an optional essay. However, I feel like this might call more attention to it and I don't really have a great explanation anyway.

Explanation: I voluntarily left my job after two years to move to another city and underestimated how difficult it would be to find another position. The position I left was a two-year analyst gig, and although I guess I could have asked to stay on until I found something else, I really just wanted to move right away. Some of it was family reasons, but since I'm applying to schools in cities other than where I currently live, I can't very well explain it by saying remaining in XYZcity for my family is of utmost importance to me.

What I did: looked for another job, mainly. Interviewed a lot. Some volunteer work, hiking, reading, crosswords, visiting museums. TV and sleeping of course. But nothing impressive to build an essay around.

I have been working for a year since the gap (the gap was summer of 09). Need I still address it? I feel like I have a pretty strong candidacy otherwise and I don't think of this gap as very significant (I have friends who took off almost as long of a time in between two jobs). Thoughts?

Thanks!
Source: — Ask Clear Admit |

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 900
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:49 am
Location: San Francisco, CA
Thanked: 106 times
Followed by:81 members

by Stacey Oyler » Wed Oct 20, 2010 4:19 pm
Hi,

Thanks for your post. While you need not necessarily write an optional essay explaining your gap in employment, you should be aware that most bschool applications specifically ask for a detailed explanations on gaps longer than 2-3 months. This question is usually posed in the employment section of the application data forms and has room for an explanation. My advice is be honest, we all make changes to our careers and it doesn't always make for a smooth transition from one job right into another. I do suggest leaving out the "closer to family" piece since it won't really jive with your desire to leave them to go to bschool.

Best,

Stacey
Sign up for my MBA admissions course, featuring me and other Clear Admit experts, by visiting: https://www.udemy.com/business-school

Stacey Oyler
Clear Admit, LLC
[email protected]
215.568.2590

Stay Informed with Clear Admit!
Read our Blog for daily MBA admissions tips and updates.
Follow us on Twitter for breaking b-school news.
Download our Publications on MBA programs and admissions strategy.
Visit our MBA Admissions Wiki to read and share application insights.

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2010 1:53 pm

by divyag25 » Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:09 pm
On the same lines,

I have been unemployed for the past 4 months due to relocation. Should I use the optional essay if there is no explicit question asked in the employment history? And I m actively searching for job now. How many months of experience do I say I will have by Oct 2011?

Regards,
Divya

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 900
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:49 am
Location: San Francisco, CA
Thanked: 106 times
Followed by:81 members

by Stacey Oyler » Tue Oct 26, 2010 12:36 pm
Hi,

Yes, you should plan to address the gap in employment in an optional essay. Keep it brief and to the point (less than 250 words). It's a bit hard to predict how many months you'll be employed by next fall, it all depends on when you get a new job. If you don't have one by the time you apply, I suggest calling the school to ask how to address the question.

Best,

Stacey
Sign up for my MBA admissions course, featuring me and other Clear Admit experts, by visiting: https://www.udemy.com/business-school

Stacey Oyler
Clear Admit, LLC
[email protected]
215.568.2590

Stay Informed with Clear Admit!
Read our Blog for daily MBA admissions tips and updates.
Follow us on Twitter for breaking b-school news.
Download our Publications on MBA programs and admissions strategy.
Visit our MBA Admissions Wiki to read and share application insights.

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 900
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:49 am
Location: San Francisco, CA
Thanked: 106 times
Followed by:81 members

by Stacey Oyler » Wed Oct 27, 2010 1:05 pm
Hi,

Thanks for your post. Unfortunately, I don't think I am a good resource for your question. My expertise is in MBA programs and I'm not familiar with Masters in Management. Best of luck!

Regards,

Stacey
Sign up for my MBA admissions course, featuring me and other Clear Admit experts, by visiting: https://www.udemy.com/business-school

Stacey Oyler
Clear Admit, LLC
[email protected]
215.568.2590

Stay Informed with Clear Admit!
Read our Blog for daily MBA admissions tips and updates.
Follow us on Twitter for breaking b-school news.
Download our Publications on MBA programs and admissions strategy.
Visit our MBA Admissions Wiki to read and share application insights.

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 900
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:49 am
Location: San Francisco, CA
Thanked: 106 times
Followed by:81 members

by Stacey Oyler » Thu Oct 28, 2010 1:30 pm
Hi,

I can't compare the MBA programs to the Master programs. I can tell you however, that there aren't many MBA programs that take applicants without work experience. I suggest checking out the career office webpage as the schools on your list to see which companies hire their graduates in order to get a better understanding of job opportunities post MBA.

Regards,

Stacey
Sign up for my MBA admissions course, featuring me and other Clear Admit experts, by visiting: https://www.udemy.com/business-school

Stacey Oyler
Clear Admit, LLC
[email protected]
215.568.2590

Stay Informed with Clear Admit!
Read our Blog for daily MBA admissions tips and updates.
Follow us on Twitter for breaking b-school news.
Download our Publications on MBA programs and admissions strategy.
Visit our MBA Admissions Wiki to read and share application insights.