How Do I Explain a 1.5-Year Career Gap Due to Marriage in Interviews?

Whenever I'm interviewed, the interviewer asks me about my gap, which was due to my marriage. Please advise.

Usually, employers can understand the gap on marriage and maternity grounds. However, you have not mentioned your earlier experience. When speaking to interviewers, convey that you want to restart your career afresh and are ready to make all necessary efforts.

I am an MBA in Marketing with 3.5 years of experience in administration and a total of 6 years of experience, excluding internships. I got married last year in the first quarter. After that, I wanted to give some time to myself. I started searching for jobs in January 2013, but since then, I have not received many interview calls, except for 2-3. During those interviews, when asked about my gap, I honestly explained that I got married and have been actively looking for a suitable job for the past few months but haven't found one yet. Unfortunately, they didn't call me for a second interview. Now, I am continuing my studies to change my career path. Currently, I am pursuing a diploma in HRM, and then I plan to pursue the CHRP certification. Please advise me on how to address the employment gap during my interviews, as employers often view such gaps negatively.

I am not just looking for a job; I am seeking a career. In my country, there is a preference for men in administrative roles, leaving limited opportunities for women.

Regards,

Obviously, you are facing a cultural obstacle. The problem seems not to be directly connected with your marriage and the 18-month gap alone.

Not being in Pakistan and having never visited, I can only comment from secondary information. Marketing requires a huge amount of traveling, exposure, and interaction with outsiders. From what I know of Pakistan, that is not suitable for women, especially married ones (culturally, I mean). While Karachi is probably as cosmopolitan as Mumbai, the cultural mindset of employers (or more likely the recruiters) seeps in. So, given a choice of other male candidates available, you are not likely to be selected for a sales job.

However, there will be specific jobs even in marketing that require women. For example, in the marketing of a chain of beauty salons or women's health and hygiene products. You need to identify them and try for those positions. Actually, you should have taken these factors into account when choosing your MBA specialization.

Companies prefer to take ex-army candidates for admin positions mainly because of their discipline and organizational skills. In India, army candidates are preferred for security and admin, but in admin, they would generally be in senior management posts. Other posts are filled by normal employees.

Anyway, your approach of studying and acquiring new skill sets is the right path. Identify what is needed in the job market and prepare for those.

Again, not knowing the cultural nuances, it's difficult to figure out what to say. I think the best approach would be to state that you wanted to ensure that you are settled into your new married life and then look for a new job. You wanted to ensure that your professional life is not adversely affected by marriage and that the company you work for should not suffer. Now you are ready and sure, so you are looking for an opportunity.

Best of luck.

Facing Bias in Employment Due to Marriage

Cultural parameters aside, you are facing a real situation. You have not committed any crime by marrying! If the receiving employer has any problems with married female candidates (even if for illogical reasons), one cannot do much about changing such mindsets. Such mindsets are prevalent in many countries, sanctifying male dominance! Society evolves rather slowly to accept and digest the fact that a female employee is no less than a male employee.

Yes, you have a struggle ahead. You need to be patient, establish a strategy, refine your approach (try to be a little more diplomatic and not just professionally competent, virtually demanding consideration), and keep at it. For a starter, I suggest the following:

1. Prepare a resume that is gender-neutral in approach. That you are a female can and should NEVER be hidden, but your approach should be gender-neutral!

2. Always write a covering letter that is indirect and more suggestive of deserving consideration of your candidacy as a professional and not as a male/female candidate.

3. Start taking interest in professional bodies - attend seminars and programs or whatever - primarily to extend your network of professional associates.

4. Get involved in Management Training Institutes as a Faculty, Student Counselor, or in the institute's Placement activities, if any.

5. Find a Mentor (a senior working professional or a consultant). Be an understudy (without expecting any remuneration, if need be) for six months to a year.

If I think of any more ideas, I will share. If you have more questions, do not hesitate to raise them on the Message Board or through a Private Message (for which provision exists on CiteHR anyway).

Till then, cheer up.

Regards,
samvedan

October 25, 2013