Hi, I am a CAT 2024 Asspirant.
I am 25 years old. I did my graduation in April 2020. And then started working in digital Marketing.
I have taken career gaps, One for 6 Months & other for approximately 1 year.
Now, i am yet to fill the form.
Can you please tell me 1. how can i justify Gap in interviews as well as form. if through FREELANCE then how?
2. Will my profile be eligible/ condsidered For Summer Internships / Final Year Placements in IIM’s or other colleges.
First of all, it’s completely fine to have a gap year, as some of my friends from IIM Ahmedabad had similar experiences.
To justify the gap, honesty is crucial. Since you’ve done freelancing, you can explain what kind of work you were involved in, even if it was project-based or irregular. For example, you could say: “During my career break, I engaged in freelancing, which allowed me to explore various projects in digital marketing (or other fields). This helped me enhance my skills, work with clients, and understand different aspects of the industry.”
Even if the freelancing work was sporadic, you can frame it as a productive use of your time that helped you stay connected to your field and develop new abilities. Highlight any skills or knowledge gained that will help you during your MBA, such as managing client relationships, problem-solving, or strategic thinking.
As for eligibility for summer internships and final placements, IIMs and other top MBA programs tend to look at the overall profile of candidates. The key is how well you present your experiences. Freelancing is valued in many cases because it shows initiative and independence. As long as you can demonstrate the value of your work and how it aligns with your future goals, the gap itself should not be a major issue.
Be confident in your experiences, and all the best with your application!
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