What’s the best way to explain a career gap in the ISB MBA interview?

Question

Mansih K · Accepted Answer

Silence or vagueness around a gap usually makes it worse. It&rsquo;s better to walk in with a clear, honest story that connects back to what comes next.
&bull; Be upfront about the gap. For example, &ldquo;I took a break to prepare for UPSC&rdquo; or &ldquo;I stepped away due to a family health issue&rdquo; sounds more grounded than dancing around it&bull; If it was due to personal reasons, explain how you structured your time,  like setting a study schedule, managing responsibilities, or volunteering alongside&bull; Mention any certifications, online courses (like a Google Analytics course, Excel upskilling, etc.), or even freelance work,  and tie them to your MBA goals&bull; Talk about how the gap helped you realize a shift in direction, like wanting to move from technical roles to strategic ones, or seeing value in structured leadership training&bull; Instead of vague lines like &ldquo;I was figuring things out,&rdquo; say something like &ldquo;That time helped me reassess my strengths and led me to explore the management side of my field&rdquo;
What really works is when the explanation shows clarity,  that the gap wasn&rsquo;t passive, but shaped how you&rsquo;re approaching your next steps. That makes it a story of growth, not regret.
For more details you can read this blog on "Top Strategies for Acing ISB PGP YL Interview

Jayant M · Answer

The best way to explain a career gap in the ISB MBA interview is by showing clarity, ownership, and what was gained during that period.
Start by briefly stating the reason without defensiveness. Whether it was due to health, family, a failed startup, or even a break for introspection , they&rsquo;ve heard it all. What matters more is how someone used that time.
If the gap involved upskilling, certifications, or freelance work, mention it. Even informal learning counts if it connects to future goals. But avoid over-explaining or sounding apologetic.
For example, if the gap was after a layoff, it&rsquo;s better to say there was time taken to reassess career goals, prepare for B-school, and work on key skills &mdash; rather than trying to mask it.
One thing that helps is framing the gap as a turning point , like realizing you want to move from a technical role to a strategic one, or discovering a stronger interest in business problem-solving over pure execution. It shows self-awareness and growth, which ISB values more than a perfect timeline.