After finishing my PhD, I felt burned out so I spent 2 years unemployed, living with my family. Now every interviewer asks what I did during that period and I honestly don't have a good answer. What would you say?

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Posting as :
works at
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Took time off to travel before starting your career

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Had your own consulting business.

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Dealing with the permanent head damage

I have a PhD too, it took me 9 months travelling the world to recover from it!

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Care for an ill family member, worked for a family business, etc.

Can you be honest with them and talk about how you ever burned out and took time off to take care of yourself? I have a one year gap as well.

Tell them you were finishing your PhD. What is wrong with that? A few years ago I quit a job in late September to finish a professional certification and get the testing phase done. I was credentialled by April and my phone did not stop ringing. I had a new job immediately at 50% higher than my last job. The 6 months off never was an issue.

Just say that there were family issues you needed to attend to and it was a difficult time so you hope they understand if you don't elaborate too much. Most interviewers will assume someone died/had cancer and will leave it at that.

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