Although it’s illegal for employers to ask specific questions about your health, it’s not out of the ordinary for them to inquire about a gap in employment. Again, stay in control and be prepared, decide on your answer ahead of time. The best answer is brief, expressed in general terms and focused more on the future than on the past.

We call this technique “The Swivel,” because your goal is to acknowledge and address what is asked and then redirect — or swivel — the conversation toward something more productive that addresses your actual goals and desire for the job. The ideal Swivel does not leave an opening for the interviewer to dig further into the gap but instead nudges them to pick up the conversation from the point you swivel it to. You don’t want to lie during any part of the hiring process, but it is important
to remember that no one shares every last detail about themselves in an interview.

The purpose of the interview is to figure out whether you and the company are a good match. When planning your Swivel
you’ll want to come up with a succinct, authentic answer to the gap question and then practice it over and over until you feel completely comfortable with it.

Sample Swivels:

• “I was dealing with a family issue that is resolved now, and I am thrilled to discuss how my management skills can build the team and grow your business.”
• “I realized that what I was doing didn’t fulfill me, so I took a step back to think about what would make me happy, and I think my tech background would really be an asset not just for this role but for the company as a whole.”

See examples of how “The Swivel” can be used to answer other types of tough interview questions here.

Updated 2020