Returning to Work After a 3-Year Maternity Gap: How Can I Overcome Interview Nerves?

Hi, I have worked as a Senior HR Executive (generalist profile) for years. After marriage, I had a baby and took a gap of 3 years. I now want to rejoin the workforce, but I am facing difficulties in interviews as I have lost my confidence due to the gap. Please suggest what interview questions I can expect and how I can face them. I feel very nervous during interviews.

Dear Anjali, the gap that has occurred in your career is not exceptional. It is common among all women. A career gap due to pregnancy is not equivalent to an education gap caused by failing an examination. Therefore, remove this sense of guilt.

Possibly, the cause of your nervousness could be a lack of knowledge. Confidence stems from knowledge. Therefore, build your knowledge. Review the discussions that occur on this forum. This forum serves as a window to the outside world. People share a whole host of problems they face in their workplaces. By reading those threads where seniors contribute their replies, you will gain valuable insights. Additionally, stay connected with HR books; they will be beneficial to you.

There was a similar post earlier. Click the following link to read my reply: https://www.citehr.com/582470-need-a...-years-my.html

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Hi, Sir (Dinesh Divekar), thanks for your reply, but I do not understand how to start after a 3-year gap. Actually, I also have a fear of interviews and communication problems during interviews. I know the answers, but I am unable to explain them as well as I would like. I have not worked in a big company; I got a job through a reference. I am hardworking, so I believe that once I get a job through a reference, I can do my best. However, my husband suggests that I should attend many interviews to overcome my fear, even though I am desperate to secure a job. I am constantly frustrated and tense, thinking I will never find a job.

Please help me and suggest some HR books for reading.

Dear Anjali, now you have come out with the crux of the problem. More than a career gap, it is the fear of public speaking that is making you anxious. Therefore, you need to take training on presentation skills or public speaking skills. Check whether in your city you have a Toastmasters club. Join this club. It will improve your public speaking skills in a big way.

To improve your communication, read the English newspapers aloud. Record your voice and send the audio file to someone senior to receive feedback. Keep a dictionary beside you while reading to improve your word power.

Moving forward, never rely solely on references. You should acquire anything on your own. There are millions of others who get jobs on their own; therefore, you should be no exception. If you do not believe in yourself, why should others believe in you? Please note that everything starts with self-belief.

The suggestion of your spouse to start attending interviews is hands-on. It will help remove your fear. However, attending the interviews is not the only task; you need to excel in them as well.

All the best!

Dinesh Divekar