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　　不少人都會有「工作空窗期」，而每個人的原因或許都不一樣。有些人極力追求work-life balance，會選擇每工作幾年就自製一個空窗期，休息一段時間「回氣」；有些人為了增值自我，特意空出一段時間來學習和進修；亦都有一些人是因為家庭因素，例如需要照顧家中老人家或小朋友，所以被迫暫時停止工作。

　　其實，無論你是基於甚麼理由導致有「工作空窗期」出現，你都務必清晰明確的告知僱主，現在的你已蓄勢待發，可隨時全力投入工作，並且擁有「非常良好的工作態度」。這一來可避免僱主質疑你的工作能力，二來可給予僱主信心，讓他不用擔心你隨時有需要放大假或辭職。

　　以下，筆者將爲大家提供解釋「工作空窗期」時應遵循的步驟，另外亦準備了一些相關的範例，教你如何大方應對提問，提出充分的解釋得來而不失霸氣！

Some sample reasons:

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• Caring for a young child

照顧年幼的孩子

• Caring for a sick family member

照顧生病的家庭成員

• Any medical or health issue

任何醫療或健康問題

• Pursuing further education or going back to school

繼續進修或重返校園

• Pursuing any other type of professional training

從事各種專業培訓

• Taking time off to travel, study, work on a solo project, etc.

騰出時間去旅行、學習，或專注個人項目等

• Trying to start a business or freelance career

嘗試創業或從事自由職業

• Your former company downsized its staff in an attempt to cut costs, and you had to spend time finding a job after being laid off

前公司為了削減成本而裁員，你被解僱後需要花時間找工作

　　預備好充分的理由後，可遵循以下的步驟解釋自己的「工作空窗期」：

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Step 1:

Explain the situation clearly but briefly. They don’t need a ton of personal details. Just give them the core facts.

（清楚且簡短地說明該情況。不需要描述太多個人信息，只需告訴對方核心内容。）

Step 2:

Show that the situation has ended or is no longer a factor, so they won’t be worried you’ll have to take another break from working. If they hire you, they want to know you’re 100% ready to work for them.

（説明該情況已經結束或不再是一個問題，從而讓對方知道他們不必擔心你再次需要另一個break。此外，你可告知面試官自己已經100％準備好投入該職位。）

Step 3:

Reiterate your interest in their position and bring the focus back onto this job interview and this position.

（重申你對該職位的興趣，並將重點重新放在此面試和職位上。）

應對範例：

Step 1：清楚且簡短地說明該情況

“I had to resign from my previous position to care for an aging family member. I did this for the past year. ...... 

（上年，由於需要照顧年長的家人，我不得不辭職。）

Step 2：説明問題已經解決

...... Since then, I have hired a full-time caregiver, so I no longer need to be present, and am fully available to work now and in the future. ......

（後來，我聘請了一名全職護理員，因此，我不再需要在家照顧老人家。現在和將來，我都能投入工作。）

Step 3：重申自己對該職位的興趣

...... Therefore, I’ve begun job searching and I’m focused on finding an executive assistant position that will help me advance my career further now."

（因此，我開始尋找工作，並專注於尋找執行助理這職位，這將幫助我進一步發展自己的事業。）

更多應對範例：

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• “I was laid off （被解僱）ten months ago. I started my job search immediately after, and I’m looking for sales manager positions now to continue advancing my career. I’ve had a number of interviews but haven’t found the right fit （找不到合適的）yet. One thing I’m looking for is a chance to mentor （指導）and train team members and manage a team directly. I saw that mentioned on the job description （職位簡介）for this position. Do you mind telling me more about that?”

• “I spent some time as the primary caretaker in my family. During that time, I was able to be there for my family but always knew I wanted to return to work. I’m ready to do that now.”

• “My former employer underwent a restructuring （重整結構）and my position had been eliminated（取消／廢除）. To be honest, it was a difficult time. But I left with the confidence that I had developed important skills there and built strong relationships with my managers and colleagues. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to apply those experiences in my next job.”

• “I was able to take some time off work to focus on myself. It was a time that prepared me to take on new challenges（迎接新挑戰）. I’m incredibly excited about the opportunities that lie ahead（即將到來的機會）, such as this position.”