Seven Good Reasons for Long Unemployment

Because our company works with both job seekers and the HR professionals looking to hire them, TheLadders has a fascinating vantage point on how the process works from both sides of the desk.

Last week, contributing columnist and veteran HR manager Tanjia Coleman posed one of the toughest questions a prospective candidate needs to prep for: "Why Have You Been Out of Work So Long?"
The column offered guidance on how to answer that question; it also provoked angry responses from some readers who said they were offended by the assertion that their unemployment was a negative.

The fact is, hiring managers and HR pros do care about what professionals have been doing between engagements, and they'll expect answers.

In her column, Coleman provided seven examples of good responses:

1. I decided to start a business.
2. I am an officer of XYZ organization.
3. I took some college courses to stay current in my career.
4. I am currently researching XYZ subject (ensure that it has business relevance).
5. I volunteer at a local mission.
6. I started a networking organization to help those out of work.
7. I decided to coach a season of my child's baseball league.

Bottom line: Like it or not, HR professionals are looking at your recent activity. If a full-time job is not part of it, you must come to the table prepared to discuss how you've used the time to make yourself even more valuable to your next employer.