MBA program admissions committees and MBA recruiters have come to expect their fair share of candidates who have experienced layoffs in recent years. A layoff is not a deal breaker, but how applicants to schools and jobs explain their layoff can be the difference between getting in and getting passed over.
“We understand that the economy is difficult and people have had to overcome tough situations,” says Christine Sneva, director of admissions and financial aid at Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management, in an e-mail. “When candidates try to avoid [a layoff] on their resume or in an interview, it sends the wrong signals.”
Those who want to send the right signals should be honest and forthright, say admissions and career placement experts. Here is a guide on how to explain layoffs when applying to business school or a job:
Describe what you have learned.
A layoff can feel like a defeat. Leaders, say experts, will dust themselves off and move on quickly. First, they will reflect on the lessons that they have gained from the experience. It’s one of the times when a businessperson should get philosophical and reflective, writes Sneva. “I like to ask candidates if the ‘down time’ has forced them to consider a different career, work/life balance, or if their professional values have changed,” she says. “I am very interested to learn if someone is being introspective and resilient through such an experience.”
Read the full article: How to Address a Layoff in an Interview