MBA Application - Include lay off ?

[prashant.ar]

I am applying to business schools next year and would like to know whether it's necessary to include one's layoff in his / her application form. I was laid off from my job 3 years back and I took 3 months to find a new job. Should I include this in my application ? I am in my current company - Microsoft for almost 2.5 yrs now.

[Jon@Admissionado]

Yes. If they ask for it. (Often schools will ask "reason for leaving the job). It was a long while ago, and no one will hold you against it, but still you might want to explain it in an optional essay.

[prashant.ar]

Thanks, I already applied for one of the schools this year and didn't specify that I was laid off. I would like to know whether it would be good idea to write to the admissions office about it or wait to see if it comes up during the interview and talk about it then.

[Jon@Admissionado]

I see. If you haven't written about it yet, then just let it slide. And I would say don't bring it up yourself either... but if they DO ask, be prepared with an answer.

[wmalum2006]

Yes, include it, and you generally have to explain any gaps in your full time employement history. Given that nearly every school wants you to disclose your job history to month and year (not just year), you will have to explain why you left your jobs.

I myself was laid off a job about a couple years ago, and it took me a little longer than you to find another job. However, during the time I also invested my time to other part time gigs such as tutoring kids and other volunteer work, while applying for jobs and I've now been at my current company for a year. I think schools are going to look at layoffs more about what you do while you're not working full time rather than the fact that you were laid off, given that the economy has been turbulent over the last several years.

Of the three schools I applied to, I got into two and waitlisted at one, but I'm confident that the layoff wasn't why I got waitlisted, I have good reason to believe it's the GMAT... of all things... So I'm going to take it again and hope for the best.

[prashant.ar]

Thanks Jon, I believe so too but I am a bit worried if they come to know about the fact during a background check (of course if I get through). is this of any concern / Does these kind of information usually crop up during checks or am I being paranoid.

[wmalum2006]

If the schools you apply to do background checks, they will find out when you left, but HR doesn't necessarily disclose why, and usually will not. If they get to your boss at that company (and the boss is still there), then your boss will probably do the same, but there's a higher chance that he or she could say more, but again, most likely they won't.

Most companies, especially large ones will just say that you worked from day X to day Y and leave it at that. However, note that no company is legally bound to just say that you existed and worked from day X to day Y.

[prashant.ar]

Thanks, I believe back ground checks are quite common these days and done by most schools. Anyway, I will explain if they ask for it. No worries as it's all hard work.