Exactly What to Say About Your Career Break in Interviews (With Scripts)
When it comes time for job interviews, having a strong narrative about your career pause is critical. A career coach explains how to get it right.
Quick Take: How do I interview after a career break?
Resume gaps are more accepted than ever. But how you discuss your time away from the paid workforce matters. Here’s how to do it with confidence:
Address your career break head-on
Be clear, quick, and concise
Focus on your skills, experience, and expertise
Convey enthusiasm and dedication to returning
By Julia Lynch
As a career coach and resume writer, I understand how intimidating a resume gap can be, especially when you land a job interview. For years, we’ve been sold the idea that a career break is a career ender, and re-entering the workforce is guaranteed to be an exhausting, uphill battle. But now, with global corporations recognizing the value mothers bring to the table, the narrative is finally, and blessedly, changing.
Still, the question comes up in practically every interview: What were you doing during that time? And your answer may determine whether you receive a job offer, or not.
When thinking about employment gaps, consider a former athlete. When this athlete steps away from their sport, they don’t lose their athleticism. Sure, it takes time to find their rhythm and regain their strength and dexterity after time away. But they still have it. And where your career is concerned, so do you.
So, how do you handle questions about your career pause? Start by understanding that your resume gap itself isn’t the problem—it’s how you discuss it. With the right messaging, you can frame this chapter in a way that shows you’re valuable, and ready, for your return. Here’s how.
Meet the Expert
Julia Lynch: A New York-based career coach and strategist who works with clients across industries to rethink their careers and land their dream jobs.
How Should I Discuss My Career Break in Interviews?
Your 3-Pronged Approach
You should absolutely address your resume gap in job interviews. But be sure to do so in a concise, pointed manner. No apologies, no extra detail, no fluff. Keep it strong and simple by combining the following points:
Your reason (e.g., raising children)
Your value
Your job readiness right now
It’s that simple. If the interviewer follows up to ask additional details (how old your kids are, if you engaged in any volunteer pursuits, etc.), feel free to respond if you feel the line of questioning is genuine and open. But if you feel that the questions have a discriminatory slant and are intended to intimidate you, simply remain diplomatic in your response. If there is a bad vibe in the interview, the atmosphere would be even worse if you ended up working there.
If you sense in any way that the interviewer is not supportive of mothers returning to the workforce—that’s on them. You have a lot to offer, and a company should recognize that!
What Exact Scripts Can I Use to Describe My Career Break in Job Interviews?
To put this 3-pronged approach into practice, here’s exactly how to answer questions about your career pause in a job interview.
Sample Answer (15-Second Version)
Your script: “I took time away to focus on my family, and during that time I developed strong skills in managing competing priorities and problem-solving. I’m now excited to bring those strengths back into a professional setting. This is the perfect time and opportunity to do so.”
Sample Answer (If You’ve Freelanced/Volunteered)
Your script: “I stepped away from a full-time role to focus on my family, but stayed engaged through [freelance/volunteering/etc.]. That’s helped me stay current, and now I’m ready to return full-time.”
Sample Answer (If You’re Planning a Career Pivot)
Your script: “During my career break, I realized I wanted to shift into [new field]. I’ve since focused on building skills in that area, and I’m excited to pursue roles like this one.”
Let Your Skillset and Ambitions Take Center Stage
Once you’ve addressed your resume gap, turn the interviewer’s attention to your expertise, ambitions, and what excites you about the company or industry you’re considering.
Your script: “I’m thrilled to be considered for this position, because it will enable me to leverage my expertise in [industry or skill] and return to work I find rewarding and meaningful.”
How Do I Answer Follow-Up Questions About My Resume Gap?
So, you’ve perfected how you’ll discuss your career pause—and you’ve vowed to keep it short, simple, and excuse-free. But your interviewer keeps poking for more. Now what? File these quick Q&A’s away in case you need them during your job interview.
If they ask… “What did your day-to-day look like during your time away?”
Your script: “No day is ever the same with young kids, so I learned to adapt to balancing each child’s unique needs with an ever-changing schedule—all while staying calm and collected.” This demonstrates two strengths every mother has in her toolkit: Calmness under pressure and flexibility under changing circumstances.
If they ask… “How do you feel about jumping back into a fast-paced environment here at [company]?”
Your script: “I respond well under pressure, can pivot and adapt to changing circumstances, and feel more ready than ever for my next challenge.” This takes the focus off your career pause, while touching on some of the key skills you no doubt gained during this time.
If they ask… “What are you hoping to do next in your career?”
Your script: “I am eager and ready to lend my expertise in [industry/background] to a company like [name] that’s moving the needle on [issue].” This demonstrates your commitment to returning to the paid workforce, and will lend confidence and credibility to your candidacy.
What Should I Not Say About My Career Gap in an Interview?
Returning to the traditional workforce is often an exercise in confidence. While many women are conditioned to downplay their roles in the home, a job interview is the very right time to kick that habit to the curb. Remember, you may have spent a chapter without a paycheck, but your contributions have been valuable.
Project confidence in your chapter of at-home motherhood—and illustrate your job readiness—by striking these words and phrases from your job interview vocabulary:
Just: You are not “just” a mom. You did not “just” stay home. Your experience is not “just” volunteer work. Using “just” in this way undermines your expertise and confidence. A quick fix is to simply strike it from any sentence.
“I haven’t been working”: You may have not been collecting a paycheck, but you have absolutely been doing important work. When asked about a period of time away from the paid workforce, position it as a chapter in which you dedicated time to children and gained x, y, and z skills that are transferrable to the workplace.
“I took time off for personal reasons.”: Being vague can be risky and make you look like you’re hiding something. Instead, be upfront about your reasons for taking a career pause, and convey that in a pointed, concise way.
“I’m trying to get back…”: If you want to portray strength, determination, and confidence, admitting that you’re “trying” will only undermine your goals. Instead, say something akin to, “I’m eager to return to [industry] and use my expertise and skills to help grow [company].”
Next Step
While interviewing after a career break, your plan should be simple: You’ll want to lay the foundation by briefly acknowledging your resume gap, expand on your excitement for the role, and re-emphasize why you’re a great fit. Need more support? Get your Starter Kit for Returning to Paid Work. This kit includes
Resume scripts
Negotiation advice
Networking how-to’s, and more
