Are you considering taking a gap year before MBA? Have you taken a gap year? If you have, then you should know that the drop shows on your CV. During interviews, you will be asked to justify it. Do you have an answer prepared? Do you think that your decision to take the drop was genuine? Here’s everything you need to know about gap years.
Now, when it comes to reasons, there are plenty. Maybe you needed the time to prepare for CAT. Perhaps it was a much-needed break from the rigorous monotony of the corporate world, or simply just time you needed to explore other avenues in life. Whatever be the reason, it needs to reflect positively on your profile.
Take the example of Nitya Murlidharan. She decided to take a gap year after working for 9 months. She had an engineering degree from a top college, as well as a really good placement. However, she wanted to take time off to travel and focus on her writing. Inevitably, after writing CAT, when she started appearing for B-School interviews, she was questioned regarding her gap year. She explained her honest reasons to her interviewers, convincing them that her decision was the right one. Not just that, she managed to get into the prestigious XLRI Jamshedpur. Read her full story here.
The fact of the matter is that your gap year isn’t the problem; what you did during that year is more important. If you are able to convince the interviewers that you genuinely needed the year to do something that has contributed to developing your personality or added some kind of value to your profile, then it won’t be a problem.
Here’s a bunch of things you can do during your gap year to make sure that you make the most of your time off.
Learn a skill
It always reflects positively on your CV when you have a new skill to show. Be it honing an existing skill, or learning a foreign language, as long as you spend your time productively, developing something that adds value to your profile, you have nothing to worry about. Spending time to build skills is always a good thing.
Take a short course
There are several one year PG Diploma courses available. From marketing to finance, you can find any and everything that you aspire to do in the form of a short 6 month or one year course. There is a multitude of online courses at your disposal as well. Why not utilize your free time to add another certification to your CV?
Volunteer work
Having volunteer experience shows spirit. Everyone wants to change the world but few are willing to take the effort. Having volunteer experience in an NGO or any kind of social service reflects positively on your character and personality, instantly making you a desirable candidate.
Internships
This seems rather counterproductive, but it really isn’t. Don’t forget, it’s just a gap year. You can’t forget about your career goals during this period. Internships are a great way of staying in touch with the industry without burning yourself out. Interning in growing companies, taking up roles that are out of your regular profile, or even working in startups is a great way to build your CV during your gap year.
Travel
Remember, you are an individual first and a professional later. Travelling is a great way to build experiences on a personal level. These experiences might seem irrelevant to some, but that really isn’t the case. Exposing yourself to new cultures and traditions, meeting new people and understanding their quirks is a great way to build on your communication skills, as well as developing your overall personality. It shows that you are open to new experiences, and that is a very desirable trait in an ideal candidate.
Communication skills
This is something that needs to be addressed. One key factor in justifying your gap year is the ‘how’ part. Are you able to effectively communicate your reasons? Communication skills are usually overlooked by many students, resulting in them losing points during interviews. Spend your gap year polishing your communication skills. Besides, good communication is key to smooth functioning in any group or company, so it adds to your relevant skillset.
Now that you have a clue of what happens during a gap year, how do you use all this to your advantage during interviews? Your interviewers will certainly ask you to justify your gap year.
Here’s how you tackle that question:
Honesty
This is the most important thing to keep in mind. Your interviewers are trained professionals, who talk to hundreds of candidates. They are experts in reading people. If you try to hide anything, they will spot it and they will use it against you. Avoid a possible debacle and be honest about your reasons to take a gap year. Your reasons might not be the strongest, but if you can convince the interviewers that your decision was the right one for you at that time, then you can rest assured the gap year won’t cause a problem.
Highlight everything you learned
You will have learned quite a lot from your gap year. Make sure you’re aware of how much you have grown during the gap year, what skills you’ve honed, and be prepared to convey the same to your interviewers. The more you are convinced of your growth, the easier it is to convince your interviewers, so only point out things that you are certain of, which you can elaborate on. Don’t sell yourself short, but don’t overcompensate either.
Hold your ground
Your interviewers’ counters will seem reasonable. They will convince you that you were wrong. However, you shouldn’t submit to everything they shoot your way. If you agree with their assessment, accept your faults and ask them for advice, this shows that you are self-aware and open to constructive criticism. If you don’t agree with their assessment, don’t be afraid to stand your ground. It shows conviction and strength of character. In both cases, don’t forget to be polite and composed.
Gap years are more common than you think. Don’t be afraid to take one, but don’t take one on instinct. Be prepared for it and make an informed decision.
Did I miss anything? Do you have a gap year story to tell? Know anyone who took a gap year? Feel free to mention your experiences in the comments.