How do I explain a two year gap in academics during interview?

You want to communicate that you know you don’t know everything, you have huge ambitions, and you are willing to be the first person in and the last person out every day, so that you can prove to yourself and everyone, that you have what it takes.

When I interview folks for entry-level or mid-level roles, I am generally looking for profile over skills, experience, and know-how.

Unlike one of the people who mentioned to not list the gap, I would advise against this. Be 100% truthful on the resume, in the interview, and during follow up discussion—it’s your chance to show that you’re different.

When I say that I look for profile in an interview, here are the main traits I’m trying to understand the person has:

  1. Is this person a grinder? Do you have the ability to day-in and day-out come to work, get dirt under your fingernails, and contribute?
  2. Do they see the big picture? Do you see big things in the small-stuff, or are you a silo-thinker?
  3. Do they have humility? Do you have an attitude that it’s all about you, or are you willing to admit that you’re a work in progress, but you have an insatiable appetite to improve, and want to do amazing first for the company’s benefit, and lastly for you?
  4. Have they learned in life what school can never teach? Do you have a unique experience or circumstance that have shown traits 1–3?

Ultimately, your gap is a chance to show your grit, determination, and passion. You want to communicate that you know you don’t know everything, you have huge ambitions, and you are willing to be the first person in and the last person out every day, so that you can prove to yourself and everyone, that you have what it takes.

The truth is, hiring managers love diamonds in the rough—it’s a chance for them to say that they saw something in you and it made them skirt convention and make the gutsy hire. Be confident that you will make them look good—you’re the guy that they’ll be bragging to their manager friends about; it’s your story that will be told in Director-level meetings, not the person who was the carbon-copy of the job requirements section and performed.