Struggling with a 2-Year Job Gap: How Can I Explain It to Employers and Get Hired?

Hi to everyone, especially seniors,

One of my friends worked as a telecom engineer from 2008 to 2011. After that, I resigned from the company to prepare for PSU exams like ONGC, IOC, SBI, and other banks. I seriously prepared for the exams without taking up any job, but unfortunately, I did not succeed in any of the PSU exams. So, from May 2011 to April 2013, I did not work anywhere. Now, I have turned back to search for private jobs.

I am receiving interview calls from companies ranging from medium to large MNCs like Yahoo!, Amazon, IBM, Accenture, and Cisco based on my previous experience. I am attending the interviews happily and successfully clearing the interview rounds (Written, Technical, HR). However, the issue arises during the HR round:

HR: Why do you have a 2-year gap from 2011 to 2013?

Me: I was preparing for PSU exams.

HR: "I will call you back."

Me: "I am not receiving any offer letters."

I am not interested in providing fake certificates to fill this gap, so I genuinely explain that I was preparing for PSU exams and unfortunately did not pass.

I do not understand the mistake I have made, and I am missing out on job opportunities.

Questions and Concerns

1. Why are these companies not considering me for a job?

2. If a person has a 2-year gap, what mistake or wrong has he made?

3. How can I overcome this problem?

4. In what way should I explain with the correct reason (business failed/accident met)?

5. Why are all companies avoiding me due to a 2-year employment gap? What is their policy?

6. How many months of an employment gap are accepted for men?

I directly ask HR the day after the interview over the phone why I was not selected and for feedback to improve for the next interview. Unfortunately, no one provides any feedback, either positive or negative.

Please help me with any good suggestions. I am now seriously searching for jobs.

I am waiting for your replies.

Understanding Employment Gaps and Overcoming Them

There is a step for everything. Remember, B comes after A. Today's scenario has changed drastically. People take up jobs as and when they feel like it, and they quit jobs to study or prepare for competitive examinations, just like you.

Looking at this, many organizations consider a quick change of mind and avoid hiring such candidates as they are found to have gaps between jobs. Usually, they doubt the candidature. It's simple: when thousands of candidates are all around, why would one hire a candidate with a doubtful candidature?

Appearing for competitive examinations is not a sin, nor is it bad. It's up to your luck or perhaps some lack of dedication; that's why you couldn't qualify for any of the examinations. Forget this and focus on the future.

To get away from this situation, you need to build confidence in the interviewer that you really left the job for competitive exam preparation. Please carry as many documents or evidence as available that prove how many examinations you appeared for.

I am sure this will remove the interviewer's doubt about your candidature, and you will succeed in finding a good job.

Warm regards,

Regards