How To Talk Confidently About Your Career Break in Job Interviews

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.

As a career coach and resume writer, I understand how intimidating a resume gap can be. Whereas in the past, the predominant social narrative was that a woman leaving the paid workforce would have a difficult time reentering–now global corporations are recognizing the value mothers bring to the table. Companies like JP Morgan Chase, Tesla, and NBCUniversal have implemented return-to-work internships and programs to support mothers in their transition from at-home parenthood back to the office. The programs have proven successful in terms of recruiting and retaining top female talent—and other companies are quickly following suit. 

I say this to show that the looming specter of the resume gap is no more. In fact, I liken these employment gaps to life as a former college athlete. What I mean by that is that when an athlete steps away from their sport, the core tenets of their athleticism still remain. Yes, once they return to the pursuit it takes time to find their rhythm and return to their previous level of performance. But they still have it. And where your career is concerned, so do you.

So, if you have an upcoming job interview or are just beginning your job search after taking a career break for motherhood, having a strong narrative about the period of time in which you were not formally employed is critical. 

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 to Handle your Resume Gap in a Job Interview

Address It, But Be Concise 

You should certainly address your career gap in your interview—but be sure to do so in a concise, pointed manner. For instance, if your interviewer asks what you have been up to since your last corporate position, simply say the following:

“I spent the last five years focused on my family, and am excited to return to the workforce. This is the perfect time and opportunity to do so.”

Your script: ‘I spent the last five years focused on my family, and am excited to return to the workforce. This is the perfect time and opportunity to do so.’

It’s that simple. No apologies, no extra detail, no fluff. 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. 

So 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!

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. For instance:

“I’m thrilled to be considered for the project management position at Johnson & Johnson, because it will enable me to leverage my background in process improvement and partner with team members across functions.”

Your Plan, in a Nutshell

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? MU has expert-backed resources for building career confidence, beginning the job search after a career pause, negotiating for what you really need at work, and so much more.