If your resume has a gap, either between jobs or after graduating from college, you should address it in your application. Some MBA programs designate a space in their online application for you to talk about employment gaps, but if there isn’t a specific area for this, the optional essay would be the next best place to do so.
Whether you have been looking for a job for six months, were on medical leave, took a few months to study for the GMAT, or toured the world with a backpack, you want to give the admissions committee an insight into your decision-making process and the circumstances. Don’t turn this into a sob story, or try to impress them with the wonderful view from Mt. Everest. Keep it simple: stick to the facts, and be concise.
If this gap resulted in some deep reflection on your life, career or past, you can integrate these notions into the main essays. You should be respectful of the admissions committee’s time and effort: focus on the critical aspects.
Let me give you my two cents on your optional essay. Send it to yael@admit1mba.com for a free evaluation.
- Five things to say at your MBA interview…if you don’t want to be admitted
- What NOT to write in your MBA application
- Getting into top MBA: How many jobs are too many?
- Getting into an MBA Program if You aren’t working for Google, Goldman or the IMF
- Low GMAT and top MBA programs
- Low GPA and Business School Admissions
School specific admissions tips:
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] How to Handle a Gap in Your Resume / Employment History […]
[…] How to Handle a Gap in Your Resume / Employment History […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: Handling a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] MBA Application: How to handle a gap in your employment history […]
[…] How to Handle a Gap in Your Resume / Employment History […]
[…] you have issues you want to address (from low GPA to an employment gap) you could do it here, but that should not be the focus. I’ve seen people share negative […]