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How do I address a three and a half year period of unemployment?

Advisor

Rebecca Decker Monument, CO

I am completing my doctorate program in two months and I am beginning to start my job search. I haven't been employed for over three years and I am not sure how to properly address the reason behind my long period of unemployment - PCS to Okinawa, full time doctorate student and starting a family. Should I just highlight the pursuit of my doctorate degree during an interview? I appreciate your insight.

17 March 2015 19 replies Interviews

Answers

Advisor

STEVE SWENERTON Boulder, CO

I would not fabricate anything that is not true. You sound like someone who is well-organized, has clear goals, and is on track to achieve them. Those are all very desirable qualities in a new employee. I would focus the conversation on when you decided on the path you have taken, why you chose that path, why you are proud of what you have accomplished, and what your expectations are for the future. Achieving goals, especially if they are challenging ones, is one of the most important qualities employers seek in employees. That is how I would direct the conversation. And I would not diminish the decision to have children, but you should indicate that the family will not limit your ability to perform to the employer`s expectations. Be confident, positive-minded, results-oriented, and you will do fine!

Good luck.

18 March 2015 Helpful answer

Advisor

Ted Mittelstaedt Portland, OR

A relative who is VP of sales at a major radio station was telling us the other day about how they are now looking specifically for people who have children. The reason why is because they have hired so many young single millennials and have discovered that most of them are so self-absorbed that they get bored and they float from job to job - they get hired, work a couple years then just when they are getting valuable to the employer they quit to go "find themselves". She has accounts that are so mad about it they have told her that if another of their sales reps disappears they are going to go to a competitor. Since they have nobody depending on them it's difficult to motivate them with money.
Her top sales producer is a married family man (also a millennial) with 3 kids and she is dying to find more like him. While it is true that it is very illegal for an interviewer to ask if you have children, as you are leaving the interview if you happen to let slip "I gotta run since I got to pick up/meet my husband and/or kids and/or both" far from being a minus for many employers that is a huge plus.
I don't know where the idea got started that employers want childless employees but it's ridiculous. The people hiring you most if not all of them have kids, and their bosses mostly have kids and your coworkers likely mostly have kids. You probably will see pictures of kids on a lot of these people's desks. If an employer rejects you because your a mother then trust me you dodged a bullet, working for them would have been very difficult. Being on the other side of the desk during these interviews myself, I would be a little more concerned with a woman in prime childbearing age that didn't have kids than with one that did, particularly if I'm hiring her to put her to work in an office of other women all of whom have kids and have no qualms about talking about them. The last thing you want to do is put someone into an environment where they feel like they don't belong.

22 March 2015 Helpful answer

Veteran

David Jackson Midland, MI

Rebecca,
If it had anything to do with family/kids, it's against the law for a potential employer to ask anything about kids, family, husband. In an interview, an interviewer will try to get around that question (do you have any kids?) by asking you the question of "Tell me about yourself" A majority of people aren't prepared for that question so they give out a lot of personal information, which is not what you want to do. A good answer would be to give them your "2 minute commercial" tell them how your skills, knowledge and experience will fit their hiring needs perfectly. If an interviewer should ask you about kids/family, it's because they are concerned about attendance. Mom, is still the main care giver for the kids and if you have any, then that might mean to the employer that they risk you missing possibly more work than someone without kids. So should they ask, respond with a statement about you having a very good attendance record and the fact that you will be there. But back to your question,,,,,,,, I would focus on your education and let that be the only thing that is shown for that period of time. If there is anything more that you feel that I might be able to help you with please feel free to contact me.

18 March 2015 Helpful answer

Advisor

Lisanne Sison Sacramento, CA

If you want to redirect the conversation, make sure you emphasize why this is the right time for you to return to the workforce, and how your time away has improved your skills and capabilities. Getting a JD and starting a family at the same time is an accomplishment that highlights your dedication and ability to make the most of your time. I would not ignore or try to downplay your choice to start a family. Life is about balance and includes both family and career. I believe good employers appreciate people that invest in both.

18 March 2015 Helpful answer

Advisor

Fouad Malik Los Angeles, CA

Being full time student or starting a family are legitimate reasons to drop out of workforce for extended period of time and most employers recognize this. Further, some employers consider a year of post graduate studies as a year of work experience. Be very upfront about the gap in employment and let them know that you were pursuing a PhD degree. Further, in my opinion, It is unnecessary to talk about starting a family or discuss anything personal as employer may wrongly conclude that you may have to be absent again to take care of your family obligations.

In a nutshell, organizations have business needs and have bias for candidates who will be able to competently perform essential functions of a job. Therefore, organizations look at the past to predict future performance. So during interview, know the essential job functions of position you are interviewing for and then answer the interview questions by providing solid examples from prior work experience. Further, remember that stable work history is just one of the many factors that employer use to determine a potential fit for certain position.

Advisor

James Dye Hinesville, GA

Rebecca, you answered the question in your statement. PCS to another country is a whole learning process in itself. Show it as a step in your personal growth. Obviously networking was involved learning how to get around. It's a selling point. Exposure to diversity....working on your Doctorate...enough said...that is a full time job in itself. Developing your professional growth by continuing your education shows an employer that you are intelligent and bright enough to learn whatever a new employer can throw at you. Starting a family highlights multi-tasking! Again sell it as a skill set learned and earned.

Advisor

James Cummins

Treat the PhD period as a job. Write it down as a job, giving your responsibilities, your accomplishments, and so forth. Many academics, for example write down a description of their time in their graduate programs as research experience, right along any research jobs they might have. No one expects you to work full time while going to school full-time, and 4 years is more than reasonable to complete a PhD.

Advisor

Behzad Bigdeli North Richland Hills, TX

You seem to have already received a lot of good answers and I am sure that you will succeed. However, in case you decide to explore more global opportunities then you are welcome to contact me (bigdeli.behzad@gmail.com) for some advise in that regard. Good Luck!

Veteran

Steve Smith Cedar Park, TX

Thank you for your service and congratulations on your recent accomplishment!

I agree that being honest is the best approach. It is perfectly fine to take time off for focused study and family - it says something about you and your values. I would be cautious about going to work somewhere that had a problem with those decisions to focus on your education.

Did you conduct any volunteer work at this time? If so, I would be prepared to discuss that experience as well. Good luck!

Advisor

Tara Johnson New York, NY

Hi Rebecca,

I agree with Jeff Martin in that, if asked in an interview, you should focus on your educational pursuits during those three years. Most employers don't assume or expect a student to hold a full- or part-time job while in a degree program (most students don't have time to!), so they won't think it's strange that you haven't been employed during that time. If there are other things that you've done while in school such as independent research projects and volunteering, you could highlight those to show that you have been active. Good luck!

Advisor

Gerald Mannikarote Houston, TX

Hi Rebecca,
I've been in multiple positions and a hiring manager on more than one occasion. I've also mentored and coached many people for interviews, helped with their resumes, and helped them into new and better jobs. I can tell you that you shouldn't hide anything. In fact, you should highlight the fact that you completed you PhD.
Completing a PhD is no small feat. You were able to exercise time management, planning, resource management, budget planning and execution, personal development, as well as other skills. This is what you should highlight during your full time PhD pursuit- along with, of course, your PhD specialty.
The 2 minute commercial/ elevator speech is a great tool. Keep it fresh and ready. I would also consider developing a list of skills, particularly those you have developed during your time as a PhD student.
I hope this helps.
Warm regards,
Jerry

Advisor

Emanuel Carpenter Alpharetta, GA

Rebecca:

Just be honest. There is nothing wrong with taking time off for education and family.

Be prepared to tell potential employers why you're in it for the long haul this time. And be sure to address any presumed skills gaps between the last you worked and today.

I would suggest you write a Skills resume that focuses more on your skills and education than your employment history. List your past employers at the bottom of the resume but highlight your skills and education on top.

Advisor

Jeff Martin Ashburn, VA

There is lots of good advice here that I would echo. I would list your education focus for that time period and consider that your 'full time job' for job continuity and interviewing purposes.

Advisor

Jacqueline Dye Goose Creek, SC

Entering the Pathways Programs for the Federal Government sounds like it would be most suitable since you have been in school during this time. The Pathways Programs is looking for recent grads that will be completing school soon. Log into USAJOBS.GOV and do a search about the program. Good Luck!

Advisor

Christopher Ahlberg Holtsville, NY

Just echoing the above

a) honesty always win
b) be proud of doing a doctorate (i'm proud of mine haha!)
c) be proud of taking care of family.

state b) and c) short and briefly without making excuses.

Advisor

Julie Budzik Blue Bell, PA

Be honest! If you were working on your PhD, that it itself is a full-time committment. Whatever the reason, just tell the truth and don't evade the question. As a human resources professional, I have heard everything and can tell when someone is being honest or doesn't want to answer the question. I'm always hesitant of those that don't want to answer the question, it makes me wonder what work related issues they may hold back when they are in my employ.
Good luck with your search.

Advisor

Susana Moraga Hayward, CA

Rebecca,

Whatever you write on a resume or say in an interview should reflect on your skills that the employer is seeking. You want to have knowledge of the position, the company and the industry to know how to best present your transferable skills.

Given unemployment stats, it isn't unusual for someone to have significant unemployment. Education and volunteering are always good for filling in the time.

Good luck,

Advisor

Rebecca Decker Monument, CO

Thank you for your time and responses. I conducted my first phone interview today and used the "2 minute commercial" recommendation from Mr. Jackson to highlight my career experience and my passion for education and continuous learning when asked "Tell me a little about yourself."

Advisor

Craig Hordlow Naples, FL

You were taking care of a sick family member. Very respectable thing to do. No one will ask more questions.

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