Gap years on resume
I often come across posts about having gap years on resume which makes people difficult to come back to work. The struggles are around finding jobs, getting shortlisted and then eventually clearing an interview to get an offer.
I also want to share my slightly different experience of coming back to a regular job after 4 years of gap on my resume.
In 2013, I was working with Google UK as a software engineer (dream company etc). Decided to quit the job and try out a career in performing arts. I was already performing part-time and I thought in order to fully experience it, I will need to give it more time and immersion. I spent 4 years in learning different forms of dance and got 2 Diplomas in contemporary dance. I was performing, teaching and directing/choreographing dance work. Lot of fulfilment, transformation, life-learnings happened.
Eventually I decided to come back (another story why).
The thought of entering into the corporate world after spending 4 years into a totally unrelated field really scared me in the beginning. I spent 2 months only in preparation. Since I had worked as a software engineer before, the natural tendency was to fall back to it. I brushed up algorithms and data structures, started practicing some coding, read about the overall market and particularly about the startup scene which had become very strong while I was away.
Once I felt slightly confident, I started applying through my network. Here’s the first thing — never hesitate to reach out to friends, family and network. People are helpful in general. I was very open, was aware that they might judge me (now she wants to come back huh!) but once that part is over, the people who care, will care and help. Sometimes we don’t reach out for the fear of being judged but we should remember that on the other side of the vulnerability, lies empathy and support.
So I applied for a few software engineering jobs. But something was not feeling right. I felt I had acquired some skills in these 4 years which surely would be transferable and useful to some profile in a company as well. I used to direct dance shows which involves thinking of ideas, working with different people, coordinating, teaching and finally presenting a show on stage. I mentioned this to some college seniors, we discussed about my interests, personality, career goals etc and one of them brought the product management profile to my notice. So here’s the second thing — trust your instincts and be open to advice and possibilities.
After reading about product management, I was convinced I want to go for this. I think this made a lot of difference — finding the right fit given my skills, experiences and interests. I was confident and looking forward to this new journey. I had to pivot the preparation — starting going through product management skills, practicing questions, white-boarding, speaking to people and understanding what is expected and most importantly making sure that I want to do this.
Then I started applying to PM jobs — through network but this time also through job portals and head hunters. To be honest, I did not face a lot of discrimination or rejection at the exploratory round. Yes, all the interviewers/HR were super curious but I didn’t feel I was being harshly judged based on the gap years. It may have been because of my IIT degree or Google experience but I think some part of it was also because I had clear reasons of why I went, why I want to come back and why product management.
Then I started getting interview calls and after a few rejections, I finally got an offer. Let me list down some points which I think worked for me in the interview process:
1. Be [DAMN] well prepared for the job you are applying to — in my case like I said, I prepared for months before interviewing. I brushed up coding skills, practised loads of product questions, read about the Indian startup ecosystem, asked my friends for mock interviews. One of my friends asked me to write a PRD for an imaginary product, I did that and got his feedback. I really wanted to make sure I am a candidate companies don’t want to pass. Even if in the beginning the interviewer might take you lightly, if you are prepared, they will eventually notice your awareness and willingness to learn and perform.
2. Prepare for a LOT of (judgemental) questions about your gap — Why did you decide to take a break ? How can you do that after Google ? Now why do you want to come back ? Do you think it was a wise decision ? What have you learnt from that experience ? Did your family support your decision ? How can you apply those skills to this job ? Technology has moved so far, how will you catch up ? Are you sure you won’t leave again ? These questions are bound to come up but there is no need to get bogged down. If you have taken an unconventional step in your life and now you want a job, the employer has the right to understand your thought process. So prepare the answers (which does not mean cook up answers), just make sure you sound logical and honest. No pride, no guilt, no fear, no defence. Just straightforward, like ‘I always wanted to do that so thought of giving it a try’. Sometimes you may not have a logical answer, so it is ok to say “it felt like the right thing to do and it has made me a more mature person today”. If you end up being vulnerable here, it is totally ok. They may not understand fully but would be willing to give you a chance if you are open and humble.
3. Be ok with being offered a slightly junior position than your age — Again you may get luckier.. but there should not be any shame in accepting this because you spent some years doing something else so your experience will be counted less by that many years, which is only fair.
These are some very simple pointers to overcome any anxiety because of gap years :) In case you are struggling, I am happy to help! Feel free to reach out :)
