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bhavyasood
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7-month gap between graduation and first job considered a career gap? 29 Jun 2025, 09:56
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Hi,

I have a 7-month gap between my graduation and when I started my first full-time job. I'm wondering if MBA admissions committees typically consider this a "career gap" that requires explanation in applications, or if it's generally viewed as a normal transition period for new graduates.

For context, I graduated in June 2021 and started working in February 2022. During this time, I was preparing for CAT and was not actively job searching.

I've never had to explain this gap to any recruiter, nor has anyone asked about it, but I'm not sure how B-schools will view it.

Thanks for any insights!
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7-month gap between graduation and first job considered a career gap? 29 Jun 2025, 22:02
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Hi bhavyasood,

While you may need to explain this in the Optional Essay (in case a school specifically asks you to explain any gaps), it will not really put you at any disadvantage. So, do not worry much about it.

All the best!
bhavyasood
Hi,

I have a 7-month gap between my graduation and when I started my first full-time job. I'm wondering if MBA admissions committees typically consider this a "career gap" that requires explanation in applications, or if it's generally viewed as a normal transition period for new graduates.

For context, I graduated in June 2021 and started working in February 2022. During this time, I was preparing for CAT and was not actively job searching.

I've never had to explain this gap to any recruiter, nor has anyone asked about it, but I'm not sure how B-schools will view it.

Thanks for any insights!
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7-month gap between graduation and first job considered a career gap? 07 Jul 2025, 10:15
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bhavyasood
Hi,

I have a 7-month gap between my graduation and when I started my first full-time job. I'm wondering if MBA admissions committees typically consider this a "career gap" that requires explanation in applications, or if it's generally viewed as a normal transition period for new graduates.

For context, I graduated in June 2021 and started working in February 2022. During this time, I was preparing for CAT and was not actively job searching.

I've never had to explain this gap to any recruiter, nor has anyone asked about it, but I'm not sure how B-schools will view it.

Thanks for any insights!
Show more
Hi bhavyasood,

This 7-month gap between graduation and your first full-time job is quite common and typically not a red flag for MBA admissions. It's generally seen as a normal transition period more than a career gap per se. That said, you can provide context in the Optional Essay and briefly explain how you used that time - by demonstrating professional development or skill improvement - this could be through part-time, freelance, internship, volunteer, or project-based work or taking up relevant courses.

Overall, this isn’t something that would be viewed negatively, so you don’t need to worry about it.

Feel free to book a free call with our MBA experts for a more detailed discussion. You can also contact us directly at team.mba@theredpen.com or +91-7780769732.
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7-month gap between graduation and first job considered a career gap? 07 Jul 2025, 13:48
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Hi Bhavya,

Thanks for sharing that context—this is a common question, and you're right to think proactively about how MBA admissions committees might perceive it.

The short answer:
No, a 7-month gap between graduation and your first full-time job is not typically viewed as a "career gap" that raises red flags, especially for recent graduates. It's generally considered part of the normal transition period.

A few points to support this:

1. Context matters: Admissions committees understand that there's often a transitional phase post-graduation, especially in countries like India, where exams like the CAT are a valid and time-consuming post-graduation pursuit. If you spent time preparing for CAT, that’s a legitimate explanation and shows ambition and planning.

2. No red flags from recruiters: The fact that this gap has never come up in interviews or job searches suggests it's not perceived as unusual or problematic. B-schools aren’t stricter than employers in this regard—if anything, they may be more understanding if your application otherwise shows focus and growth.

3. B-schools look for patterns, not isolated instances: A single 6–7 month gap right after graduation doesn’t raise eyebrows unless it's part of a larger pattern of unexplained inactivity. Since you’ve worked continuously after that, it’s likely to be a non-issue.

What should you do on your MBA application?

Optional Essay (if applicable): You don't need to address this gap unless you feel it left a significant mark on your profile (e.g., low GPA, prolonged unemployment, etc.). However, if there's a space where you're invited to explain gaps, or if you're asked about your timeline, a brief mention like “After graduation, I dedicated several months to preparing for CAT before pivoting to full-time job opportunities” is perfectly acceptable.

Let us know if you’re working on a specific application or need help drafting your resume or optional essay section. We’d be happy to help!

Management Masters
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7-month gap between graduation and first job considered a career gap? 07 Jul 2025, 23:44
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bhavyasood - generally, gaps of upto 3-4 months are alright, but since yours is higher, it's better to address it in the Optional Essay.

Make sure to highlight in simple words, the reason for your gap, what you did then, and how it helped your next stages.

All the best!

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Arvind
Founder, admitStreet | Testimonials
W: https://admitstreet.com | Request a free profile evaluation­

bhavyasood
Hi,

I have a 7-month gap between my graduation and when I started my first full-time job. I'm wondering if MBA admissions committees typically consider this a "career gap" that requires explanation in applications, or if it's generally viewed as a normal transition period for new graduates.

For context, I graduated in June 2021 and started working in February 2022. During this time, I was preparing for CAT and was not actively job searching.

I've never had to explain this gap to any recruiter, nor has anyone asked about it, but I'm not sure how B-schools will view it.

Thanks for any insights!
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7-month gap between graduation and first job considered a career gap? 08 Jul 2025, 12:58
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bhavyasood
Hi,

I have a 7-month gap between my graduation and when I started my first full-time job. I'm wondering if MBA admissions committees typically consider this a "career gap" that requires explanation in applications, or if it's generally viewed as a normal transition period for new graduates.

For context, I graduated in June 2021 and started working in February 2022. During this time, I was preparing for CAT and was not actively job searching.

I've never had to explain this gap to any recruiter, nor has anyone asked about it, but I'm not sure how B-schools will view it.

Thanks for any insights!
Show more


Yes, you must address the gap via an optional essay. its not aways negative to have career gaps, but you must give the context for it. Also, sometimes people indulge in personal pursuits during career gaps. If you have noteworthy ECAs, any travels or personal development activities during the 7 month period, you may mention these.

Namita Garg,
Founder, MBA Decoder
Email: contact@mbadecoder.com
Reach out to us for a Profile Evaluation
Helping applicants achieve their MBA dreams since 2011
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7-month gap between graduation and first job considered a career gap? 08 Jul 2025, 22:30
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Hi Bhavya

A 7-month gap between graduation and your first full-time job is generally not seen as a red flag by MBA admissions committees, especially if it happened right after undergrad. It’s quite common for applicants to take some time to prepare for exams, explore options, or transition into the job market. What matters is whether you’ve had steady progress and clarity in your career after that point.

Since you were preparing for the CAT, that’s a legitimate reason for the gap. You can mention it briefly if there’s an optional section, but it’s not something you need to over-explain—particularly if your profile has been strong since. Most schools understand that the first job after college doesn’t always start immediately.

If you're applying to global MBA programs and want to present your story effectively, feel free to reach out. We offer personalised 1:1 MBA admissions support to help you stand out.

Prashant Pinge, ISB ’02
Founder & Principal Consultant, LemonEd
🌐 www.LemonEd.in | ✉️ info@LemonEd.in | 🔍 Request a free profile evaluation
LemonEd is a boutique, results-driven MBA admissions consulting firm helping applicants gain acceptance to the world’s top B-schools.