You're listening to Business English Pod, the Business English podcast for professionals on the move.
Hello, and welcome back to Business English Pod for today's lesson on doing an online interview.
Today, we're going to look at how to talk about a gap in your resume or employment history.
It's actually not that unusual to have a gap in your resume.
Many people get laid off and then spend several months trying to find a new position.
Other people have a gap because of family or health issues, and others require time to find a job after relocating.
While a gap in employment isn't unusual, many job seekers feel it looks bad and it's hard to explain.
But it doesn't have to be.
And it doesn't have to become the only focus of an interview.
So how can you ensure a gap doesn't overshadow your upsides?
For one thing, it's good to explain a job loss concisely.
Secondly, it's a good idea to show how you developed yourself while you were unemployed.
If you can do these things, then you can move on to other aspects of the interview.
That might include explaining why you like the company where you're applying and asking diplomatically about work flexibility.
It may also mean asking for clarification when you don't understand the question clearly.
In today's dialogue, we'll continue listening to an online interview with Rachel, who's applying for an operations manager position at a property management company.
In this part of the interview, she has to explain a gap in her employment.
Let's hear how she answers questions and asks some good ones of her own.
As you listen to the dialogue, try to answer the following questions.
1.
What is the basic reason Rachel lost her previous job?
2.
How did Rachel develop her skills while unemployed?
Three, what two things does Rachel like about the company where she's applying?
Okay, so Rachel, you mentioned before that you left, you stopped working at Century in July, yeah?
That's right.
And can I ask, Uh, whoa.
Hold on a sec.
My video is glitching.
Okay.
There.
So, yeah.
Can I ask why you left?
Well, hospitality was hit really hard by the pandemic, as you know.
Century was looking for ways to reduce costs, and they started amalgamating regional offices.
They folded ours into Northern California, and our whole team was laid off.
That's tough.
I know some industries have been decimated by all this.
So, does this mean hospitality is no longer part of your future?
Part of my future?
Sorry, just so I'm clear, you're asking if I'm certain about leaving the hospitality industry?
I guess that's right.
You know, all your experience is in hospitality, so just curious if that's behind you now.
Hospitality has been really good to me, for sure.
But I don't see it bouncing back anytime soon.
And at this point I'm really keen for something new but still relevant to my skills and experience.
Fair enough.
And let's see, that was July.
So how has your time out of the workforce been?
Well, I don't think the pandemic has been exactly easy for anyone, but I think I'm fortunate.
My husband's job is secure and I've stayed busy.
Last month, I completed my project management certification, something I've wanted to do for a long time.
And yeah, I guess this gave me the time to do that.
That's great.
And welcome to the PMP world.
Thanks.
Now, and this is kind of taking us back to the present day.
You're applying for this position with Allied.
So why Allied?
I mean, what's appealing to you about not just the job, but our company?
Two things stand out for me.
For one, I know you have a big focus on people and on relationships.
That's important to me.
So yeah, a good values match.
And I've read about your approach to training and development.
I was really happy to see that.
Good to hear.
And I can honestly say it's a great place to work.
Prioritizing training and development has really paid off for everyone.
It's an important commitment.
But enough of that for now.
I haven't given you much of a chance to ask anything yet.
So, is there anything you'd like to ask me?
Lots.
But maybe I'll just start with... yeah.
So I know you folks are at least partly back in the office.
So will this position require five days a week at the office?
Or is there some flexibility on that, given all we've learned about remote work and such?
Now let's go through the dialogue again and look at the language and techniques Rachel used during her interview.
Note that Century is the name of the hotel chain where Rachel worked previously.
Okay, so Rachel, you mentioned before that you left, you stopped working at Century in July, yeah?
That's right.
And can I ask?
Uh, whoa.
Hold on a sec.
My video is glitching.
Okay.
There.
So, yeah.
Can I ask why you left?
Of course, technical challenges are a regular feature of online interviews and meetings.
As Kevin demonstrates, it's a good idea to just deal with the problem directly and let the other person know you're having technical issues.
Once Kevin has dealt with a video issue, he asks a question that many people fear.
Why did you leave your previous job?
Let's hear how Rachel responds.
Well, hospitality was hit really hard by the pandemic, as you know.
Century was looking for ways to reduce costs, and they started amalgamating regional offices.
They folded ours into Northern California, and our whole team was laid off.
Rachel doesn't sound too embarrassed, nor does she over-explain the situation.
Instead, she states confidently and concisely what happened at her previous company.
The pandemic had a big impact and the company wanted to save money by downsizing.
So they folded or combined her team with another one and she was laid off.
An explanation about job loss doesn't have to be long and drawn out.
You need to learn to explain it clearly, directly and concisely.
Let's practice some more ways of doing this.
They decided to outsource design, so there wasn't a place for me anymore.
To be honest, it just wasn't the right role for my strengths and skills.
Now let's hear how Kevin responds to Rachel's explanation.
And note that hospitality is an industry covering hotels, restaurants, and event planning.
That's tough.
I know some industries have been decimated by all this.
So, does this mean hospitality is no longer part of your future?
Part of my future?
Sorry, just so I'm clear, you're asking if I'm certain about leaving the hospitality industry?
Kevin actually seems pretty understanding of Rachel's situation, given how different companies have been deeply impacted or decimated by COVID-19.
But what he wants to know now is whether hospitality is part of Rachel's future.
The question isn't perfectly clear or direct, and when you're faced with a question like this, it's best to ask for clarification.
Rachel does this by apologizing, stating she wants to be clear, and then restating the question in her own words.
Let's run through some other ways of clarifying a question.
I'm sorry.
Could you provide a bit more context to the situation?
Just to be clear, are you asking me about my ideal job?
Could you give me an example of what you mean?
Do you mean a change I made or a change someone else made for me?
So, besides restating the question, you can just ask for more explanation or further examples.
Now let's hear how they discuss Rachel's move away from the hospitality industry.
I guess that's right.
You know, all your experience is in hospitality, so just curious if that's behind you now.
Hospitality has been really good to me, for sure.
But I don't see it bouncing back anytime soon.
And at this point I'm really keen for something new but still relevant to my skills and experience.
Fair enough.
And let's see, that was July.
So how has your time out of the workforce been?
As you can hear, Rachel is making it clear she thinks her skills and experience are relevant.
Talking about your own skills and experience like this shows a lot of maturity.
You don't have to wait for the interviewer to ask you about your skills.
And Rachel will use this topic to answer Kevin's next question, which is about her time out of the workforce or while she was unemployed.
Well, I don't think the pandemic has been exactly easy for anyone, but I think I'm fortunate.
My husband's job is secure and I've stayed busy.
Last month, I completed my project management certification, something I've wanted to do for a long time.
And, yeah, I guess this gave me the time to do that.
Firstly, notice that Rachel doesn't complain.
She actually turns her situation into a positive by saying she had the chance to do some training she'd wanted to do for a long time.
In particular, she studied for her project management certification, a standard credential in the project management world.
If you have an employment gap, it's good to be able to talk about how you developed your skills during that time.
What are some other ways we can do this?
Let's try a few more examples.
I actually found the time to take a financial management class at college.
Over those six months, I taught myself how to code in Python.
I'd always wanted to learn graphic design and finally I had the time.
It wasn't a waste at all since I was able to complete my MBA.
Now that Rachel has explained her employment gap successfully, Kevin wants to move on and talk about the present day or current situation.
Let's listen.
That's great.
And welcome to the PMP world.
Thanks.
Now, and this is kind of taking us back to the present day.
You're applying for this position with Allied, so...
Why Allied?
I mean, what's appealing to you about not just the job, but our company?
Kevin wants to know why Rachel is interested in his company specifically.
In your preparation for an interview, you should definitely think of a good answer to this question.
You know it's coming, so make sure you've got a couple of clear and specific ideas for a response, as Rachel demonstrates.
Two things stand out for me.
For one, I know you have a big focus on people and on relationships.
That's important to me.
So yeah, a good values match.
And I've read about your approach to training and development.
I was really happy to see that.
Rachel doesn't hesitate in identifying two important things she likes about the company.
By saying she's read about their approach to training, she shows she's done some research and actually knows something about the company.
And by talking about a values match or shared beliefs, she shows she will fit into the culture, which is something every interviewer is considering.
Let's practice more ways of summarizing why you are interested in a company.
Notice these are specific reasons, not just things that are true of any company.
I think you guys have done an amazing job of promoting excellence.
A big thing for me is your total commitment to quality, which I find exciting.
I've read a lot about the company's work in the community, and I love that.
Rachel's comments about the company sets up a situation where Kevin is agreeing with her.
Good to hear.
And I can honestly say it's a great place to work.
Prioritizing training and development has really paid off for everyone.
It's an important commitment, but enough of that for now.
I haven't given you much of a chance to ask anything yet.
So is there anything you'd like to ask me?
Kevin reinforces the idea that training and development is an important commitment or responsibility at his company.
He then offers Rachel a chance to ask questions.
And once again, this is something you should be ready for.
Let's hear how Rachel responds.
Lots.
But maybe I'll just start with, yeah.
So I know you folks are at least partly back in the office.
So will this position require five days a week at the office?
Or is there some flexibility on that, given all we've learned about remote work and such?
Saying you have lots of questions shows you're interested and curious.
But you may not be able to ask all of them.
So choose a few important ones.
One thing you might consider asking about are work arrangements, such as flexible schedules.
The important thing when asking about work flexibility is to do so diplomatically or politely.
Rachel does this by asking will this position require traditional work hours rather than will I have to, which makes it sound like an inconvenience.
Then she asks, is there some flexibility?
And she gives context for that question by discussing the move toward more remote work.
What are some other ways of asking politely about work flexibility?
Let's run through some more examples.
I'm curious whether there's any room for flexing the office hours.
So are there any allowances for things like working from home?
Is everyone on a 9-to-5 schedule or is there some flexibility there?
Could you tell me a bit about the approach to scheduling and how much choice there is?
Well, it appears that Rachel has dealt quite successfully with a gap in her employment during the interview.
She explained her situation calmly and clearly, so Kevin moved on to talk about the present day.
And overall, Rachel did a good job of building rapport with Kevin.
Now let's practice some of the language we learned in today's lesson.
Imagine you lost your job after 10 years with the same company.
Now you're having an online interview for an HR position with a new company.
You'll hear a cue from the interviewer.
Then I'll give you a suggestion for what you can say in response.
We'll guide you through each step in the practice and provide an example answer for each response.
Ready?
Let's give it a go.
So.
Ten years is a long time at one place.
Can I ask why you were laid off?
Start by saying that unfortunately the company downsized and your division was cut.
Answer.
Well, unfortunately the company downsized and my division was cut.
I see.
That must have been pretty tough to deal with, right?
Now ask, just to be clear, whether she is asking if you were disappointed to be laid off.
Just to be clear, you're asking if I was disappointed to be laid off?
Yes.
You were there for 10 years.
It must have been hard to be unemployed.
Next, say that you actually saw it as a chance to get certified as an HR professional.
Well, I actually saw it as a chance to get certified as an HR professional.
That's good.
And so now, I'm curious why you think our company is a good fit.
Answer.
Well, I've read a lot about your commitment to ongoing training.
Yes, that's something we're very proud of, including in the field of HR.
Finally, say you're curious whether that means they might be open to flexible work schedules.
Answer.
So then, I'm curious whether that means you might be open to flexible work schedules.
Now let's practice some of the vocabulary we've covered in this lesson.
In a moment, you'll hear a series of sentences with a word replaced with a beep.
Repeat each sentence, including the missing word.
For example, if you hear, You can say, After each response, we'll provide the correct answer.
Let's begin.
It's great to see our sales... back.
Answer.
After a tough first quarter, it's great to see our sales bounce back.
The airline industry has been absolutely... by the pandemic.
Answer.
The airline industry has been absolutely decimated by the pandemic.
A recent study shows that 12% of the is thinking of changing jobs.
Answer.
A recent study shows that 12% of the workforce is thinking of changing jobs.
I'd like to find a new job where my skills and experience are still Answer.
I'd like to find a new job where my skills and experience are still relevant.
We've also looked at how to talk about skill development and why you want to work for a company.
Finally, we've covered how to ask diplomatically about work flexibility.
Thanks for listening and see you again soon.
