How to answer: Can you explain the gap in your resume?

What the interviewer is testing.

A short, honest, confident explanation. Whether you can explain a gap briefly and honestly.

An outline for this question.

1. State the reason in a sentence or two: family, health, study, a job search or a career change.
2. Say what you did to stay current in that time, even small things.
3. Turn to the present: you are ready and excited for this role.

The mistake to avoid.

Over-explaining or sounding defensive. A short, calm answer closes the topic.

The general method: honest, specific, brief.

The same shape works for most hr questions, whatever the topic.

• Answer the question that was asked in your first sentence.
• Back it with one specific example or fact, not a general claim.
• Tie it to this role, and stop. A calm thirty to sixty seconds is enough.

Practice it, out loud.

Reading an outline is not the same as saying it. Answer this question in a mock interview, in your own words, then compare it with the outline above.

Practice this questionSee live interview help

More to practice.

• Tell me about yourself.

  Any role, HR

• What is your greatest strength?

  Any role, HR

• What is your greatest weakness?

  Any role, HR

• Why do you want to work here?

  Any role, HR

This is a Replysis practice question. It is not a leaked or official question from any company, and the outline is a guide to structure, not a script. Use your own experience and facts.