How To Answer “What Have You Been Doing Since Your Last Job” In a Job Interview

Recruiters would twist a basic question to get the same interview answers from you. In essence, the question above- what have you been doing since your last job is a way to inquire about gaps in your career. You could, in other words, be asked why you have been unemployed for a certain period of time.

It is important to address any career gaps you might have.  Recruiters are never keen on bringing on board an individual whose skills have been idle for a long time.

Some job seekers commit the mistake of saying they have been idle since no one was giving them a job. There is a better interview answer to such a question that can work in your favour.

So, what are the typical interview answers you can give when asked, “What have you been doing since your last job?”

1. Explain your volunteering experience

This is the right time to disclose your volunteering experience. While many job seekers downplay volunteering, it is a career experience with great potential to work in your favour at the interview.

You should also mention the names of the organizations you volunteered for and how the volunteering experience added to your career growth. Mention the skills you gained in the course of the volunteers and accomplishments, if there are any.

Someone looking for an NGO job can, for instance, give the following typical interview answer.

“I have always volunteered for organisation ABC, and after my previous job, that is where I fell back and indulged in charitable activities that included…”

2. Say you went back to school

Most job seekers, tired of the unyielding job search, opt for further education. Those with first degrees go for a master’s or a diploma to expand their opportunities. Coincidentally, most recruiters settle on satisfied people with their educational ventures. No one would want you to ask for time out of work to further your education.

Therefore, saying that you took the opportunity after your previous job to go back to school is bound to work for you, as it sends the signal that you have gathered more training that will benefit the company.

Ideally, an administrative professional could give the following interview answer: “After my last job, I decided to pursue a six-month certificate course in-office procedures, an aspect of my career I hadn’t trained for in my degree.”

3. Part-time work

Say you fell back to your part-time work after your previous job. It is common to have side hustles, and recruiters have no problem with it. They know it is a way to boost your earnings and even make you a better employee.

If you are in the communication profession, you can reveal that you fell back to freelance photography to earn a living. Say the things you did, unconventional as they may be, provided they kept you occupied.

Conclusion

Few people decide to stay idle after their jobs end. It is only that job seekers lack the exact words to phrase their interview answers when confronted with the question of what they have been doing after their previous job ends.

By all means, give only those interview answers that will let the recruiter know that you have been an active job seeker and have not been idle at home.

Are you having trouble passing interviews? Speak to a professional Interview Coach today to learn how to handle different questions in the interview room.