The prompt
Score 10 of 10, Excellent
Use it when You were laid off or took time away from work and need honest, short wording for your resume, LinkedIn and interviews.
- {{target_roles}}
- {{what_happened}}
- {{comfort_level}}
- {{during_gap}}
- {{recent_roles}}
Full prompt and why it works
Prompt
Help me explain a gap in my work history, so that I can address it briefly and confidently on my resume, on LinkedIn and in interviews, and then move the conversation to what I can do. I am applying for {{target_roles}}. What happened and when: {{what_happened}} How much I am comfortable sharing: {{comfort_level}} What I did during the time, if anything (courses, freelance work, caregiving, volunteering, job search): {{during_gap}} My most recent roles, briefly: """ {{recent_roles}} """ Produce, with a heading for each part: 1. Resume: one line I could add for the gap or under my most recent role, or a note saying no line is needed if the gap is short. 2. LinkedIn: one or two sentences for the About section or a short entry, if useful. 3. Interview answer: a spoken answer of 40 to 70 words to "What have you been doing since your last job?" or "Why did you leave?" that states the fact, mentions anything useful I did, and turns to why I am ready for this role. 4. Follow-up questions an interviewer might ask, three at most, with a one-sentence answer for each. For example, a layoff answer with the right shape, using invented details: "My role was one of forty cut in a restructuring in March. Since then I've finished a project management certificate, and I'm looking for a role where I can put it to work." A good answer sounds matter-of-fact and moves on to the role within a few sentences. Keep it truthful and plain. Do not invent courses, projects or reasons, do not blame the former employer, and do not over-explain or apologize. Share only what I said I am comfortable sharing; for health, caregiving or other personal reasons, a short phrase such as "a family matter I needed to take care of" is enough, and I do not owe more detail. If the facts I gave would be hard to explain without more detail, or a resume line would draw more attention than leaving it out, tell me and suggest the simpler option.
Variables
- {{target_roles}}
- The kind of jobs you are applying for.
- {{what_happened}}
- For example "laid off in a restructuring in May" or "eight months caring for a parent".
- {{comfort_level}}
- How much you want to say, for example "happy to say it was a layoff" or "prefer to keep it private".
- {{during_gap}}
- Anything you did in the time, or "mostly job searching".
- {{recent_roles}}
- Your last two or three roles with dates and a line on each.
Why it works
- Length. One resume line and a 40 to 70 word answer keep the gap brief, which is what lets the conversation move on to your skills.
- What to avoid. Nothing invented, no blame and no over-explaining, and personal reasons stay at the level of detail you chose.
- If unsure. When a resume line would draw more attention than it settles, it tells you and suggests the simpler option.