How Do I Explain a Year Off to Employers Without Using Fake Experience?

Hi, I have completed my MBA in 2010, and before that, I graduated in B.Sc.IT. My family is financially quite well-settled, and I am from a small town area. I was not allowed to do a job one year back as mostly I used to be out of home only during my academic sessions in IT and MBA projects. Being a female, my parents wanted me to learn to manage home first for at least one year and then get into the outside world and job management.

Now, after one year, when I am applying for jobs, the first thing they ask is, "What have you done for one year?" What should be my answer? I don't want to get into any fake experience certificates and all. Please help.

Thank you.

I don't understand your hesitation in giving the actual reason during the interviews. Or if you don't wish to give it, you can say that you had some personal/family issues to be resolved at home and now that those issues are resolved, you are ready to take up a job. In a way, you will also be indirectly conveying that your focus on the job, if selected, will be total. But please remember that you will be treated as a fresher with the appropriate salary structure. But never try to lie or bluff, since you will end up telling a second one to cover the first lie and then a third to cover the second, and so on.

All the best.

Regards, TS

Don't hide anything; just tell the real facts. Surely, you will get a job, but don't show fake experience or provide false information during the interview. It's always good to tell the truth.

Thank you so much. I feel I should speak the truth because it's a fact, and there's nothing shameful about it. In fact, I am proud. In my family, nobody has had a job. We are highly settled financially, and all the women are housewives. At least I am getting permission to work and be independent. I am applying to work in the education sector as a faculty.

I totally agree with tajsateesh. You can kindly explain that, due to some personal reasons, you were not able to do the job. However, make sure that you have one solid reason as well.

You should stay at home and prepare for public sector undertakings. Your parents may send you for writing exams and appearing for interviews. If you secure the PSU job, definitely your parents may be convinced. Prepare for PSUs; do not go for fake experience.

With regards,
bg