Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview

Seeking Guidance on Addressing a 2-Year Employment Gap

I am reaching out to you today seeking your valuable guidance and advice regarding a situation I am currently facing. I have a 2-year employment gap in my work history, and I am eager to learn how best to address this gap and present myself effectively to potential employers.

I understand the importance of transparency and honesty, and I am committed to providing a clear explanation for the employment gap. However, I am unsure about the best way to frame this gap on my resume and during interviews. I would greatly appreciate any insights you could share on how to communicate this gap in a way that showcases my skills, growth, and dedication despite the time off.

Furthermore, I have taken proactive steps during this gap period to enhance my skills and stay connected with industry trends. I have completed some specializations from Coursera to further develop my abilities and knowledge.

Your expertise and experience would be immensely valuable to me as I work to overcome this challenge and re-enter the workforce with confidence. If you could spare a few moments for a brief email exchange or even a quick call, I would be truly grateful.

Thank you for considering my request, and I look forward to the possibility of learning from your insights. Please let me know if there is a convenient time for you or if there are any preferred communication channels.

Thank you once again for your time and consideration.

5
1.4k
24
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
on Aug 18, 2023
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer

Hi,

This is a common concern, especially in very competitive economies. 

In my perspective, there are 2 scenarios:

  1. You have already been invited to the interview
    • In this scenario, the firm already thinks you potentially have what it takes
    • I wouldn't worry too much about framing the gap, just be authentic but also insightful in your key messages here
  2. You are going to apply and have not yet secured the interview
    • In this scenario, if the gap is hindering the strength of your CV, then you need to start strengthening the CV
    • If however it was a historical gap and your CV is still very strong with other actual work experiences, then again nothing to worry about

Hard to tell without looking at your detailed CV. All the best!

on Aug 17, 2023
#1 rated McKinsey Coach

Hi there, 

It's very difficult to help you without knowing your story. 

If I don't know your story I don't know how to present it in the best way possible. 

So my first piece of advice is to get a career coach to help you refine that and present it. 

Find somebody who can get really deep into your background and figure out how you could pivot with your story to make the most of your story. 

Last but not least, don't despair. This is totally doable. I've worked with people from super diverse background and from very atypical industries or ages to consulting which still make the transition possible. You just need the right guidance to navigate these changes. 

Best,
Cristian

on Aug 18, 2023
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Q: I have a 2-year employment gap in my work history, and I am eager to learn how best to address this gap and present myself effectively to potential employers.

It would be useful to know the reason for the gap to better answer your question.

For what concerns the CV, in general you could structure the two years with relevant experiences/achievements you have if it makes sense. You could also try to compensate for the gap with referrals as explained here.

For the interview, the answer depends on why you had to take the two years off, so we would need more information for that.

Best,

Francesco

Ian
Coach
on Aug 17, 2023
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

The honest answer is it is not great and will be a challenge.

However, here's what I recommend:

  1. Set expectations “low”: Don't go shooting for MBB right now. Rather, find boutiques, smaller firms, etc. that are more likely to go out on a limb for you
  2. Fill this gap ASAP: Get experience from pro bono and experiential learning programs like: GCG, Impact Consulting, etc.
  3. “Fill” your resume as much as possible to hide this gap
  4. Network: A Lot. Get on the phone with people so you  can show them you are capable. If they speak with you and you demonstrate your intelligence, your communication skills, your experience and capabilities, they are far more likely to take a chance on you

Here's some reading to help (internship tips apply to full-time role as well): https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-get-a-consulting-internship-tips-and-tricks

Good luck to you!

Anonymous B
on Aug 18, 2023
Hi Ian, can you clarify what is GCG? Not able to identify it on the website. Thanks!
Deleted user
on Aug 29, 2023

Hello,

Could you provide us with some more details about the employment gap, why it happened, and what you were doing before? This is a common question for candidates and employment gaps do happen. The key is to build a certain narrative and explain yourself in the right way. However, in order to be able to give you pointers on this, we would need to know what happened.

6
Similar Questions
Consulting
BCG PIPE Case
on Feb 28, 2025
Global
7
2.1k
Top answer by
Ariadna
Coach
BCG | Project Leader and Experienced Interviewer | MBA at London Business School
50
7 Answers
2.1k Views
+4
Consulting
What do they look in a candidate?
on Aug 31, 2024
Global
5
1.4k
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience
65
5 Answers
1.4k Views
+2
Consulting
McKinsey PEI - Same incident/story for Courageous Change and Inclusive Leadership
on May 28, 2024
Global
7
2.8k
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience
84
7 Answers
2.8k Views
+4
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely
Thanks for your feedback! Your opinion helps us make PrepLounge even better.