

Is A Lack of Confidence Holding You Back?
Is A Lack of Confidence Holding You Back?



I’m currently unemployed and have an employment gap on my resume.



Thank you!

Start By Setting Your Focus

When a captain of a ship sets sail, he charts his course and checks his compass knowing that he may head into unexpected storms, or run into mechanical problems along the way.

In spite of any trouble he may have to overcome, he prepares himself with confidence as he sets his course or focus on the journey ahead.

In his book, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People“, Stephen Covey discusses how that proactive people don’t spend their time worrying, or focusing, on things over which they have little or no control. Instead, they choose to concentrate on factors or circumstances which they can control.

What Are You Focusing On?

Like the ship captain or any highly effective person, the first thing you must do when facing employment changes is to set your focus on getting a job offer.

Before you can convince a hiring manager to give you a job, you must first convince yourself that you are qualified for that job.

This won’t happen if, when you look at your resume, your eyes are constantly fixating on employment gaps which make you feel less than adequate for the job posting under consideration.

So, start by shifting your focus from things which drain your confidence, such as; “gaps of employment on your resume” to positive things in your life that energize you such as; “your strengths, passion, interests, hobbies, likes, skills, education, experience, etc.

You Are Not Alone In Your Problems

Keep in mind that employment gaps are much more common than you think because people are always leaving the workforce. So, don’t let this problem or challenge become bigger than it really needs to be!

While you can’t change your past by removing existing employment gaps, you can override its effect on your life by learning new skills or honing existing skills!

So, take an online training course, such as the Business Analyst Boot Camp because this will give you hands-on training as well as build the confidence needed to perform on the job after you are hired as a business analyst!

Finally, training will help you fill the gaps in your resume because it allows you to do something productive with your time.

Do You Feel Less Than Confident?

Answer this question: Based on your experience, do you feel confident doing the job of a Business Analyst?

If you answered yes, then simply update your resume to reflect your work experience, and any training acquired during your employment gaps. Then, begin to look for a business analyst job – with confidence.

If, on the other hand, your answer is no, remember that your lack of confidence will show through during the job interview. Actually, it has probably already determined the way you have written your resume and cover letter!


If you lack confidence, you will write your resume and cover letter in a way that downplays your abilities, experience, qualifications and you will disqualify yourself during job interviews by answering questions in a timid, shy way!

How Lack Of Confidence Hinders Your Job Search

An employer is looking for you to answer just one question: Is this guy or girl interviewing before me the best candidate for this job?

If you lack confidence, due to your employment gaps, the hiring manager will answer this question with a resounding “no”, and hire someone else who maybe less capable but more confident than you.

So, whether you have an employment gap on your resume or not, the most effective way to get hired is to focus on your ability to do the job.

Make sure your resume, your cover letter, and your attitude focuses on your assets and what you will bring to a hiring company and not your liabilities (lack of experience, age, etc.).

Then, send out your resume, complete with a personalized cover letter, and get ready to be called in for interviews.

Prepare yourself before the interview with documented examples of your work experience as a business analyst. Then, select work examples where you shine.

Most of all, present yourself with confidence as the best candidate for the job.

Finally, direct the interviewer’s attention to your valuable experience and keep him / her focused on your ability to do the job. Write your resume around your experience with the fortune 500 company, and draw very little, or no, attention to your employment gap.

This article answers a question posted by Meghna from Austin, Texas on how to get back into the business analyst workforce with fortune 500 work experience despite employment gaps.

If you have a question or challenge about your career, submit it using our [ASK ITCareerCoach] service and we will answer it for you just as we answered Meghna’s question.

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